Reform UK hope to seize control of boroughs in the “London doughnut” at the local elections next year, the party’s only assembly member has said.
Alex Wilson, said the party was “seriously campaigning” to take control of councils in the outskirts of the city and singled out to Tory-run Bexley, Croydon and Bromley and independent Havering.
He pointed to Reform winning its first London councillor, Alan Cook, in a Bromley by-election last month as evidence of a change in voting patterns.
In his “London Calling” speech at Reform’s annual conference in Birmingham on Saturday, Mr Wilson said: “A year ago, Reform was hitting single figures in percentage vote share in council by-elections in London.
“In the intervening year our share has increased to the point that, as demonstrated by Councillor Alan Cook, we can win council seats outright.
“As we survey the doughnut, London’s Outer Boroughs, there are some where we can seriously campaign to take control: Bexley, Havering, Bromley, Croydon.
“The potential for Reform in these councils is huge if we can work hard enough. Elsewhere, we can win seats, hold the balance of power, and give a voice to the many, many Londoners that see Reform as their only hope.”
Local elections are due to be held in the capital next May.
Labour controls 21 of the city’s local authorities, the Conservatives run six and the Liberal Democrats three. Two are run by independent parties.
It comes after Nigel Farage vowed Reform will take winning London and ousting Mayor Sadiq Khan "seriously" as he warned of a "big rift" in the Labour Party.
The Reform leader encouraged members to volunteer as councillor candidates ahead of the local elections.
Speaking during his keynote speech at his party's conference on Friday, he said: "All 32 London boroughs are up for election [on May 2] and we will take that seriously."
He added that the party would be “ready to have a mayoral candidate” to take on “Sadiq Khan next time round”.
City Hall elections are not due to take place until 2028. Sir Sadiq is expected to stand down after winning a historic third term as Labour Mayor in a landslide victory last year.
Laila Cunningham, a former Tory Westminster councillor who defected to Reform earlier this year, is reportedly being lined up to be Reform's candidate for Mayor of London.
Mr Farage also warned of a "big rift" in Labour and told delegates that he thinks a general election could take place in 2027 - two years earlier than planned.
"We're used to hearing stories of splits in the Conservative Party," he said.
"We're about to witness a big rift in the Labour Party, too.
He added: "Before long, there'll be Labour MPs that reckon they've got a better chance on the Jeremy Corbyn sectarian ticket ... they've got a better chance of being re-elected under that ticket, under Corbyn, than they do under Sir Keir...I think there is every chance now of a general election happening in 2027."
