Labour will postpone four of next year’s mayoral elections until 2028, it has been suggested. Four new combined authorities – Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk – will have their polls pushed back two years. They were set to take place next May alongside other council elections.
The Sun reported that ministers are expected to make the announcement on Thursday because councils need more time to complete their reorganisation.
Some of May’s local elections this year were postponed by a year in areas of southern England under plans to radically reorganise councils and roll out further devolution.
Reform UK had accused Labour and the Conservatives of “colluding” to “officially cancel over 5.5mn votes in May”.
Nigel Farage‘s party had been pinning its hopes on the May elections as it looked to build support on the ground.
Reform’s head of policy Zia Yusuf said: « This is a blatant attempt to stop big Reform wins next May. It’s an act of a desperate government who are clinging onto power by any means necessary.
« Labour has proven time and time again that they’re not beyond denying democracy to millions of people in order to maintain their cosy status quo. »
Meanwhile, Sir James Cleverly MP, Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, said: « This is a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy by a Labour government whose credibility and popularity are already in tatters.
« The Conservatives firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well underway.
« Democracy is being denied yet again after the council elections cancelled by Labour this year. There is no credible justification for this move. The Labour Government must reverse it immediately. »
Ministers are set to use an announcement either on Thursday or next week to pledge £200million every year for three decades for six new devolved mayors.
It is likely that Reform UK will hit out at the delays.
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