"Labour figures in the county with the highest number of reinstated council elections, following the government's recent U-turn, have said they fear the party will be annihilated when voters go to the polls in May. The polls had expected to be postponed pending a reorganisation of local government in the county and a move to unitary authorities, but earlier this week the local government secretary, Steve Reed, scrapped plans to delay the elections, after Reform UK threatened a legal challenge."
"With the government's U-turn, seven councils will now have elections they had not expected in May; Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle, Chorley, West Lancashire and Preston an area with nearly 790,000 people meaning the county will have more unexpected elections than any other. A total of 30 local authorities will now hold elections in May when they had not expected to, meaning almost a quarter of those are in Lancashire."
"At last year's county council election, Reform took control of the authority, winning 53 out of 84 seats. Labour was left with just four councillors. The government had said ahead of that election that local polls could be postponed if an authority set to disappear under the reorganisation approached the government, but no such request was put forward by the county council."
Government reversed plans to postpone local elections in Lancashire, reinstating May polls after Reform UK threatened legal action. Two councils, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool, are unitary authorities, while 12 districts remain two-tier under Lancashire county council. Seven districts — Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle, Chorley, West Lancashire and Preston — will unexpectedly hold elections, affecting nearly 790,000 people. A total of 30 local authorities will now hold unexpected May elections, almost a quarter in Lancashire. Reform won control of the county council last year with 53 of 84 seats; Labour held four councillors. The reinstated ballots will cost taxpayers millions and many terms may last only a year. Decision-making was reviewed with new information and legal advice; councils report continued year-round work.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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