Reform UK's two representatives on the London Assembly are facing significant criticism from political rivals after they failed to attend the annual Remembrance Day service at City Hall.
Political Leaders Unite for Commemoration
The solemn event, held on Monday, November 10, 2025, saw Mayor of London Sadiq Khan join Assembly Members and representatives from numerous organisations to mark the 80th anniversary year of the end of World War II. Attendees included officials from the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, British Red Cross and the Royal British Legion, who collectively laid wreaths to honour the fallen.
Assembly Members from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Green Party were all present at the service, as confirmed by photographs from the occasion.
Notable Absences Draw Criticism
However, neither Alex Wilson nor Keith Prince, Reform UK's Assembly Members, were in attendance. Mr Prince recently defected from the Conservative Party.
This absence did not go unnoticed. Bassam Mahfouz, Labour's London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that both Reform figures "were conspicuous by their absence".
"This is a moment when representatives from all parties should stand together to honour the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, and to show solidarity with our armed forces and emergency services," he added. "Their courage binds us as a nation — we will remember them."
Reform UK Responds to Criticism
A spokesperson for Reform UK provided explanations for both absences. They confirmed that Alex Wilson has travelled to Israel as part of a party delegation, where on Remembrance Sunday he reportedly visited Commonwealth war graves to pay his respects.
Regarding Keith Prince, the spokesperson stated he had attended two local Remembrance services in his constituency over the weekend and would be attending another on Tuesday. The latter also posted a picture of party leader Nigel Farage giving a policy speech in Central London the same morning, with a spokesperson emphasising "it was important for Keith to sit shoulder to shoulder with fellow small business owners during such a landmark step for Reform".
Emma Best, Deputy Leader of the City Hall Conservatives, highlighted this was the second consecutive year Reform UK members have missed the City Hall service. She commented: "In Waltham Forest they also did not turn up to events this weekend. Patriotism isn't a bit. Respect for our country and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice means being present."
Meanwhile, Chair of the London Assembly Len Duvall reflected on the significance of the 80th anniversary, stating it "reminds us of the debt we owe to those who gave their lives to protect our country, our values and the rights of billions around the world."
The controversy follows news that on Sunday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage did not attend the national remembrance service at the Cenotaph with other political party leaders, instead appearing at a separate event in Walton-on-the-Naze within his constituency.
