Local Elections Encounter Further Postponements Amid Council Revisions

Local elections across several councils are set to face additional delays, as tensions rise regarding Labour’s proposed changes to local governance in England.

Government officials have suggested that they may approve a postponement of elections scheduled for next May, extending them to 2027, should councils submit requests by mid-January.

Nine regions have already seen their elections deferred after being initially planned for May 2025, igniting a fierce debate.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has accused both Labour and Conservative parties of colluding to prevent his party from gaining further traction.

Reform UK aims to capitalize on its strong performance in national polls during the local elections in England this coming May, hoping to convert their popularity into actual control over local councils.

Government Plans for Council Restructuring

The administration intends to eliminate the current dual-tier structure of district and county councils, paving the way for the establishment of new governing bodies tasked with managing all local services starting in 2028.

Ministers have requested feedback from all 63 councils impacted by this restructuring, which are slated for elections in May, to determine if they require a delay.

Local Government Minister Alison McGovern stated that numerous councils have indicated a desire for a postponement due to concerns about the feasibility of conducting resource-heavy elections while undergoing significant transition.

Some authorities have raised issues regarding the financial implications for taxpayers of holding elections for councils that are on the verge of being dissolved.

Political Reactions and Accusations

During a session in Parliament, McGovern mentioned that those requesting a delay represented only a minor segment of the affected councils, although she did not provide specific details.

The announcement of potential further delays, made right before Parliament’s holiday break, occurred just two days after Local Government Secretary Steve Reed assured MPs that the elections were set to proceed as planned.

Paul Holmes, the Conservative shadow minister for local government, defended local leaders against accusations of causing delays, asserting that Labour’s proposed changes were hasty and fundamentally flawed.

He criticized Labour for interrupting the democratic process to further their political goals.

While there is historical precedent for cancelling elections for councils that are to be replaced, Labour has been accused of acting undemocratically due to the sluggish pace of the reorganization.

Impact on Councillors and Future Elections

In nine areas, including Suffolk, East and West Sussex, and Essex, local elections have already been postponed once, with initial plans set for May 2025.

If these elections are deferred again, some councillors may end up serving for seven years without facing their constituents.

The elections for new mayors in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton have already been delayed by two years until May 2028, as confirmed earlier this month.

Labour currently holds a majority in 18 of the 63 councils affected by potential delays, while the Conservatives command nine and the Liberal Democrats seven.

However, the Conservatives are defending the highest number of seats at 1,415, which represents more than a quarter of those set for reelection in May.

In a social media statement, Farage remarked, “Turkeys don’t vote for Christmas. Tory county councils appear to be colluding with Labour to maintain their grip on power until 2027. Only a banana republic bans elections, and that’s what we have under Starmer.”

Farage urged Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch to direct her council leaders to avoid further delays.

When asked if Tory-led councils could seek suspensions, Badenoch expressed her personal opposition to further delays but indicated she wouldn’t obstruct councils from making such requests.

She stated, “Conservative leaders manage their councils. I’m not a dictator; they understand my perspective. Those elected representatives are here to serve their communities and will provide justifications for their requests regarding election timing. In my opinion, we should proceed with all scheduled elections and conclude this matter.”