Mayoral elections in the UK delayed amid "affront to democracy" claims
Amid cries of "cancelling democracy" mayoral elections in four newly created mayoralties across England will likely be delayed until 2028, having already been delayed once. The motivation given by the government? More time is needed to complete the reorganisation.
London (PA) - Elections for four newly created mayoralties in England will likely be postponed until 2028, the Local Government Secretary has confirmed amid accusations of an affront to democracy.
The Conservatives, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and local figures have accused Labour of "cancelling democracy".
The inaugural mayoral elections for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex will not take place until 2028, Secretary of State for local government Steve Reed suggested on Thursday, as they need more time to complete their local government reorganisation.
In a written ministerial statement, the Cabinet minister said: "Cheshire and Warrington, and Cumbria have previously requested a delay of their inaugural elections to May 2027, to align with the majority of planned local elections, which could help voter turnout and enable further local savings. "These areas have both successfully established unitary authorities."
"The Government is also minded to hold the inaugural mayoral elections for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex in May 2028, with areas completing the local government reorganisation process before mayors take office.
"This is because devolution is strongest when it is built on strong foundations, therefore moving forward we will ensure strong unitary structures are in place before areas take on mayoral devolution."
"Democracy delayed is democracy denied"
But the move had drawn ire from opposition parties, with critics suggesting it looks suspicious amid speculation about a potential challenge to Sir Keir Starmer's leadership following defeat at the local elections.
Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Generally it's dictators that cancel elections. Some 7.5 million people are now going to be denied the opportunity of voting in mayoral elections. "Funny isn't it, we've just announced our mayoral candidates for all of these areas and all of a sudden the Government, terrified of losing to Reform, are cancelling them."
He added that a two-year delay "is a deliberate dictatorial cancelling of democracy in the United Kingdom and we shouldn't tolerate it". Reform leader Mr Farage has called a press conference in Westminster at 3pm to respond to Labour plans.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: "This is the second time Labour have cancelled elections. Democracy isn't optional. We will oppose this every step of the way."
Liberal Democrat local government spokeswoman Zoe Franklin said: "Democracy delayed is democracy denied. We are fighting to end this blatant stitch-up between Labour and the Conservatives over local elections."
Reform in local government
The new mayoralties were announced in February under devolution plans, which promised the replacement of two-tier district and county councils with one body that would be given wide-ranging new powers.
Elections in nine council areas - East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey - were already postponed from this year to 2026 amid the reorganisation of local government in England.
Local figures also criticised the move, with the the Conservative Hampshire mayoral candidate Donna Jones saying: "The Government's decision to delay the mayoral elections planned for 2026 is a disgrace and an affront to democracy. It is clear Labour are afraid to face the British public at the ballot box."
The leader of Essex County Council, Conservative councillor Kevin Bentley, said there was "huge disappointment" at the postponement of the mayoral election "with the main parties having selected candidates and campaigning already under way".
Children's minister Josh MacAlister earlier insisted the decision was because of "technical" changes and that the Government did not want to "rush" plans to reorganise local authorities. "This is not about delaying democracy in any way and the accusation from opposition parties on it is, frankly, ludicrous," he told ITV's Good Morning Britain.
Reform UK enjoyed success in the local elections in May this year, winning more than 600 seats and taking control of 10 councils stretching from Kent to Co Durham. The party also toppled a 14,000-strong Labour majority in a parliamentary by-election.