Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
The expected delay is likely to intensify an already heated debate about the pace of constitutional reform and the Government’s commitment to local democracy. Critics argue that postponing elections deprives voters of the opportunity to choose their local leadership at a time when major decisions about transport, housing, planning and economic development are being made.
Labour ministers, however, are expected to argue that the postponement is a practical rather than political decision. Government sources have indicated that newly created combined authorities require additional time to establish governance structures, transfer powers from existing councils and prepare for the responsibilities that elected mayors will eventually assume. Officials are expected to insist that holding elections before those arrangements are complete could create unnecessary confusion and undermine the effectiveness of the new authorities.
Opposition parties remain unconvinced. Conservatives argue that the Government should have planned the reorganisation more effectively instead of delaying elections after candidates had already begun campaigning. They claim that changing the timetable at such a late stage risks damaging public confidence in the electoral process.
Reform UK has been particularly vocal in its criticism, claiming the postponements will disproportionately affect areas where the party believes it has been making significant electoral gains. Following strong performances in recent local elections and opinion polls, Reform has repeatedly argued that traditional parties are attempting to protect their political interests by delaying opportunities for voters to express their views.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time for Sir Keir Starmer’s government. Labour has faced mounting pressure over issues including economic growth, taxation, immigration and public spending. Any decision that appears to limit electoral participation is likely to become another point of attack for opposition parties seeking to portray the Government as increasingly disconnected from voters.
Political analysts note that postponing elections is not unprecedented in British politics, particularly during periods of local government reorganisation. However, such decisions almost always attract scrutiny because they delay democratic accountability and inevitably raise questions about political timing.
If ministers formally confirm the changes, Parliament is expected to witness fierce exchanges, with opposition MPs demanding detailed explanations for why the existing timetable can no longer be met. Questions are also likely to be asked about whether further local elections could face similar delays if council restructuring projects encounter additional obstacles.
For voters in Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk, the announcement would mean waiting until 2028 before directly electing their first metro mayors. Supporters of devolution argue that the additional preparation time could help ensure the new authorities begin with stronger administrative foundations, while opponents contend that delaying democratic mandates weakens the legitimacy of the entire process.
As the political debate continues, the issue is expected to become another battleground between Labour, the Conservatives and Reform UK, each seeking to convince voters that they are the true defenders of democratic accountability. With public trust in politics already under pressure, the Government’s handling of the postponement is likely to remain under close scrutiny in the months ahead.