Farage unveils Robin Wales and Clive Furness as Reform targets London votes

On Wednesday 4th March 2026, Nigel Farage introduced Sir Robin Wales, the former Labour mayor of Newham, and Clive Furness, a former Labour council leader in the borough, as new recruits to Reform UK, as the party tries to strengthen its London operation ahead of the May local elections.

At a London press conference, Farage said his party’s weakness has been a lack of “experience on the front line”, presenting the two Newham figures as part of an effort to build local government credibility in the capital.

Reform said Sir Robin has been appointed London director of local government. Furness will serve as his senior adviser and will stand as Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor of Newham.

Sir Robin said he was switching parties because Labour “has lost its moral compass” under Sir Keir Starmer. He argued that the two established parties “have failed” and rejected claims that Reform is “racist”.

In remarks aimed at the wider London contest, Sir Robin blamed Labour’s London leadership for what he described as rising crime and failing services, and said May should be treated as a judgement on Sadiq Khan and the party’s record in the capital. Furness said Labour had “failed London”, claimed Newham had gone backwards under its current leadership, and presented Reform as the alternative.

Local authority elections in England operate under rules overseen by the Electoral Commission, which publishes guidance for candidates and campaigners standing in borough contests such as Newham.

The announcement also revives scrutiny of Sir Robin’s time running Newham. He was deselected by the local Labour party ahead of the 2018 mayoral election after the selection process was rerun following a threat of legal action and allegations of irregularities. During his years in office he faced criticism for major spending decisions, including a project to relocate council offices into a single Dockside building and investment in the Olympic stadium after 2012.

A London Labour spokesperson dismissed the move, saying neither man had been part of the Labour movement for some time and that Sir Robin had been removed by local members following concerns about his record. The spokesperson said Farage and his allies talk London down and attack what they called the success of one of the world’s most multicultural cities.

For more London stories that affect everyday life, follow EyeOnLondon.

[Image Credit | © Getty]

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!