TORY VETERAN'S RAGE: Prince Defects, Slams Party for Losing Its Way

The Conservative Party was delivered a major pre-conference shock on Saturday with the sensational defection of veteran London Assembly Member Keith Anthony Prince to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party.

Mr. Prince, the Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge since 2016, announced his decision just hours before the start of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. The move follows the earlier defection of Tory MP Danny Kruger last month and sees the Assembly Member end a nearly 50-year association with the Conservative Party.

In a candid statement to the press, the former City Hall Conservatives Transport spokesman explained his decision: "I have been with the [Conservative] party for 49 years. This would have been my 50th year. The party has left me. It's not the party I joined." He praised Reform UK for having a "vision" and speaking to "my people," referencing his background as a "working-class boy" who attended grammar school.

Reform UK Gains Official Group Status

The defection is a significant political gain for Reform UK. Mr. Prince joins existing Assembly Member Alex Wilson, instantly doubling the party's representation on the 25-member London Assembly. This combined strength means Reform UK can now officially form a recognised political group for the first time. Official groups are entitled to a critical allocation of committee seats, granting Reform UK a greater voice in scrutinising the activities of the Mayor of London.

Following the switch, the political composition of the London Assembly now stands as: Labour (11), Conservatives (7), Greens (3), Liberal Democrats (2), and Reform UK (2).

Personal and Political Background

Born Keith Anthony Prince, he has a long and dedicated history in East London local government. He served as a Councillor in the Barkingside ward of Redbridge London Borough Council from 2003 until 2018, and held the post of Leader of Redbridge Council from 2009 to 2014. He currently serves as a Councillor in the London Borough of Havering for the Squirrels Heath Ward (a position he has held since 2022) and was the Leader of the Conservative group on Havering Council until his defection. His professional occupation is listed as a politician, and he resides in Romford. Mr Prince is married, and his wife is Nigerian.

The politician has been clear about his motivations, telling the Standard that he welcomes legal immigration where there are employment shortages, but expressing strong concern about the high levels of net migration: "This country grew by 750,000 people last year. We can't house the number of people coming in."

Future Ambitions and Conservative Reaction

Mr. Prince has confirmed his intention to contest his council seat for Reform UK in the London borough elections next May and will seek re-election as an Assembly Member for the Havering and Redbridge constituency in 2028. His switch has intensified fears among Conservatives that this may be the first of a series of defections in East London, with Havering considered a key target for Reform UK.

Susan Hall, the Leader of the City Hall Conservatives, responded with disappointment, saying: "I'm very sad that Keith has gone. He was a valued member of the team. I will continue to put forward Conservative plans and fight for the party going forward."