This was in reaction to proposals to enlarge the area governed by the Metropolitan Board of Works to include adjoining districts with a population of 50,000 or more: the primary aim of incorporation was to prevent the inclusion of West Ham in an enlarged London municipality.
This was in reaction to propsals to enlarge the area governed by the Metropolitan Board of Works to include all adjoining districts with a population of 50,000 or more. Encouraged by the example of Croydon, made a borough in 1883, the primary aim of incorporation was to prevent the inclusion of West Ham in an enlarged London municipality.