"The government had planned to delay a number of elections in England while they carry out a reorganisation of local authorities, which is likely to lead to some authorities merging or being subsumed into others. Ministers argued against holding elections for councils that might cease to exist in a year or two. However, the plans created a backlash from opposition parties, and a legal challenge from Reform UK, which argued they were anti-democratic."
"A spokesperson for the local government department said: Following legal advice, the government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May. Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing, and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026. In a letter to Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, a government lawyer said Steve Reed, the local government secretary, had asked Matthew Pennycook, the housing minister, to review the legality of the delay,"
Ministers abandoned plans to postpone 30 local elections in May after legal advice indicated the delay might be unlawful. The government had intended to delay elections while reorganising local authorities, potentially merging or subsuming some councils. Ministers argued elections for councils that might cease to exist should not be held. Opposition parties and Reform UK opposed the move, with Reform lodging a legal challenge claiming the plan was anti-democratic. With the case due to be heard, the government withdrew the postponement and confirmed all local elections will proceed in May 2026. A government letter explained ministers reviewed legality and decided elections should go ahead.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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