250 councillors could serve seven year terms, after election delays

"Nearly 30 councils will no longer hold elections this year due to a major reorganisation of local government, with some requesting a delay and others giving the government information about capacity that has led to a delay being granted. Councillors in all 29 areas where a postponement has occurred will have their term extended, meaning they have the opportunity to continue in their roles until the next elections are held, which is expected to be in 2028."

"These are the largest councils and there are 250 councillors in this position, with the largest group by far being the Conservatives with 154 councillors up for potential seven year terms. Labour has 24 councillors who could now stay in post until 2028, the Lib Dems have 28, the Greens have 16, Reform eight and there are 20 councillors who are independent or part of a smaller group."

"Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said she thinks scheduled local elections should go ahead this May and has dismissed Conservative councils who have asked for postponements as local government is reorganised as "outliers". Speaking to broadcasters, Badenoch said a one year delay for reorganisation was "understandable" but two years is "just too long". "I think that [elections] should go ahead, that is Conservative Party policy," she said. "Two or three outlier councils are doing something different but that's not party policy.""

Local government reorganisation has led to postponement of elections in 29 English councils, causing councillors in those areas to have their terms extended until expected elections in 2028. Nearly 250 councillors are affected, with four large county councils producing the longest potential seven-year terms. The Conservative group faces the largest number affected with 154 councillors, while Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, Reform, and independents also have councillors whose terms may be extended. Some councils requested delays; others provided capacity information resulting in postponements. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said most scheduled local elections should proceed and described postponing councils as outliers.

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