Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has set his sights on seizing control of six London councils next year.
Mr Farage identified London as one of his key targets ahead of another “earthquake” set of local elections in May.
All 32 London boroughs will contest polls on May 7, including across the Reform-leaning outer belt bordering Essex and Kent.
The Reform UK leader is hoping to target Sir Sadiq Khan’s “terrible” record on law and order in a springboard push to topple the London Mayor in 2028.
Mr Farage has struggled to leave his mark in London during his political journey so far, with the capital remaining a stronghold for the 2016 Remain campaign and Labour Party.
However, the Clacton MP claimed “everything has changed” since the last General Election.
Mr Farage told The Daily Mail: “Labour are going to find their vote horrendously split.
“With the Greens and Corbyn and the Gaza independents. All these different people. There is a chance that Labour vote really gets hit.”
Nigel Farage claimed ‘everything has changed’ since the last General Election.
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He added: “Starmer’s problems as we face May are immense.
“These elections in May are the British equivalent of the US midterms. We’re going for gold.”
Reform UK is now hoping it has a “very real chance” of winning in “half a dozen” of the 32 London boroughs, including Bromley, Bexley, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.
Mr Farage is preparing to launch Reform UK’s London campaign at a major event at the Excel Centre next month.
Sadiq Khan intends to seek a fourth term in City Hall
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PAHowever, Labour could also struggle at the hands of its other rivals in the capital in May.
The Tories will hope to regain control of the once flagship councils of Westminster and Wandsworth.
Meanwhile, the Green Party looks poised to make significant inroads across London’s left-leaning inner boroughs.
Zack Polanski was elected as one of three Green London Assembly Members in 2024.
Labour faced a significant challenge from pro-Gaza independents at the last General Election, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting holding on to Ilford North by just 528 votes.
Reform UK made significant inroads in the 2025 Local Elections
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However, Reform UK struggled across London in 2024, winning just one city-wide Assembly Member and receiving just 78,865 votes when Sir Sadiq won his third term as mayor.
Mr Farage managed to push the Tories close on the outer ring of the capital a few months later, making Hornchurch & Upminster, Old Bexley & Sidcup and Romford key targets in 2029.
Reform UK goes into the 2026 Local Elections in London from a low base, holding just six wards across the capital.
Meanwhile, Labour faces a real challenge after winning 1,156 out of 1,817 wards in 2022.
Zack Polanski could win hundreds of wards across London
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PAReform UK used the 2025 Local Elections as a springboard to a significant poll increase this year, securing 677 wards and 10 councils on May 1.
A tally of this year’s contests shows that Reform has quietly gained an additional 59 seats at by-elections this year, including 25 from Labour and 19 from the Conservatives.
The Liberal Democrats have also picked up an additional 20 seats, half of which from the Conservatives.
However, Mr Farage is looking at bringing legal action against Sir Keir Starmer after it was revealed Labour had invited local councils to cancel polls slated for next May.
Sadiq Khan’s record faces increasing scrutiny
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PAOpinion polls ahead of the 2028 London Mayoral Election suggest Reform UK could jump from three to 13 per cent.
Meanwhile, Sir Sadiq’s support has dropped from 44 per cent to 38 per cent.
The Conservative Party remains the main challenger to Sir Sadiq, halving his lead to just six per cent.
Despite speculation Sir Sadiq would not seek an unprecedented fourth term in City Hall, the three-time London Mayor this year confirmed his “intention” to run in 2028.
