Neither Alex Wilson nor Keith Prince, who recently defected from the Conservative Party, were present at the event, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

City Hall Remembrance Day Service (credit London Assembly)

Reform UK’s two London Assembly members have been criticised by political rivals for missing the annual Remembrance Day service at City Hall.

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan and London Assembly members joined representatives from organisations such as the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, British Red Cross and the Royal British Legion to lay wreaths to mark the 80th anniversary year of the end of Second World War.

But neither Alex Wilson nor Keith Prince, who recently defected from the Conservative Party, were present at the event.

A Reform UK spokesperson said Wilson has travelled to Israel as part of a party delegation, while Prince had attended two local services and will be attending another today (Tuesday 11th).

The latter posted a picture of party leader Nigel Farage giving a policy speech in Central London aimed at supporting small businesses the same morning, with a spokesperson saying “it was important for Keith to sit shoulder to shoulder with fellow small business owners during such a landmark step for Reform”.

Bassam Mahfouz, Labour’s London Assembly member for Ealing and Hillingdon, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that both “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.”

Assembly Member Emma Best, deputy leader of the City Hall Conservatives, said: “This is the second year Reform have not turned up to the Remembrance Service at City Hall. 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.”

Pictures from the service showed assembly members from Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives and the Green Party attending the service, which took place yesterday morning (Monday 10th).

Chair of the London Assembly Len Duvall said of the event: “The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War 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.

“Britain and her allies came together to defend democracy against totalitarianism and fascism being imposed on other countries – struggles that echo across the world today.

“The London Assembly remembers those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and stands steadfast alongside armed forces personnel, past and present, to thank them for their service to our city and our country.”

On Sunday, 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.

A spokesperson for Reform UK told the LDRS: “Alex Wilson AM is currently away as part of a Reform UK delegation to Israel, where on Remembrance Sunday he visited Commonwealth war graves to pay his respect to fallen soldiers.

“Keith Prince AM paid his respect at two remembrance services in his constituency over the weekend, and will be attending another service tomorrow.

“Both Reform UK assembly members remain dedicated to the act of remembrance, and are proud to have taken part in services both at home and abroad.”

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