US EditionUK Government Considers Postponing Mayoral Elections in Four Regions to 2028
The UK Government plans to delay inaugural mayoral elections in four English regions to 2028, citing local government reorganisation; over 7.5 million voters affected, critics allege political motives.
- On Thursday, ministers are expected to announce that Keir Starmer's government will postpone newly created mayoral elections due in May 2026 to 2028, affecting Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington, Norfolk & Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex & Brighton, and Hampshire & Solent.
- Rising support for Reform UK and Nigel Farage prompted officials to cite an Ipsos poll this month showing Labour at 18 per cent and Reform above 33 per cent, while local councils undergoing reorganisation need more time.
- Briefing notes seen by The Independent show ministers will delay three mayoral elections to 2028, including Essex and Norfolk and Suffolk, reverting from first-past-the-post to proportional supplementary vote under Labour's local government reforms.
- Reform and opposition parties reacted angrily, with Zia Yusuf calling it `a blatant attempt to stop big Reform wins next May`, Conservatives urging reversal, and Liberal Democrats pledging to keep the vote on schedule.
- This marks a second postponement for these areas, raising questions about repeated delays and prompting eleven Welsh Labour MSs to accuse the UK Government of rolling back the devolution settlement and objecting to the Pride in Place programme.
42 Articles
42 Articles
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds
The government’s decision to delay mayoral elections cannot be justified on democratic or fairness grounds melissa.ittoo Fri, 05/12/2025 - 11:13 The government has postponed the May 2026 mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, and Norfolk and Suffolk. 5 Comment Akash Paun Matthew Fright Harriet Shaw Megan Isaac Institute for Government Yes The Port of Tilbury in Essex. Devolution Local government Local…
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Outrage as Labour Suspends Four Mayoral Elections
First, new executive mayors were scheduled for election in English local government voting—in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton—in May 2026. Now, voters will be forced to wait until at least May 2028. The government is arguing that more time is needed to prepare for the creation of the four senior municipal posts. However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage slammed the decision, saying it goes to show th…
Number 10 Rejects ‘Dictator’ Claims Amid Row Over Mayoral Election Delay
Downing Street has rejected suggestions Sir Keir Starmer is acting like a “dictator” amid a row over the Government’s move to postpone four mayoral elections. Number 10 said plans to push the votes – originally due next year – back to 2028 would allow more time for reorganisation of local authorities under its devolution agenda. Critics have accused Labour of “cancelling democracy” as it faces the prospect of electoral defeat amid dismal poll ra…
Labour accused of 'utter chaos' as Starmer delays more elections
It’s widely expected that the local elections in 2026 will be another bloodbath for Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. As such, any attempt to delay elections will be seen as an attempt by Starmer to avoid embarrassment. This is precisely what’s happening now that the government is set to delay four mayoral elections. Labour are running scared, this delay tactic is designed to try and mitigate their losses. @TheGreenParty are set to do really well in…
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