Lib Dems write to human rights watchdog over election delays

"Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has said nearly 10 million people could see their democratic right to vote "ripped away" if proposed delays to some local elections in England go ahead. Sir Ed has written to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission to ask if it will investigate what he called "the government's cavalier approach to our elections". Last week, the government indicated it would agree to postpone polls if local authorities requested it by mid-January."

"Labour has said it is responding to concern from some councils that they lack the capacity to run elections while implementing major reforms to how local government is organised. There has also been unease from some councils about spending money on elections for councillor positions that will shortly be abolished as part of the overhaul. Last year, the government set out plans for the biggest reorganisation of local government in England in 50 years."

"In February, the government said nine areas could postpone their 2025 elections until 2026 in order to prepare for the restructuring. Subsequently, ministers asked all 63 councils affected by the reorganisation if they required a delay to elections due in May 2026. In a statement released on Thursday, the last day before the parliamentary Christmas recess, Local Government Minister Alison McGovern said "multiple councils" had requested a postponement. So far, councils in Hastings and East and West Sussex have confirmed they have asked for a delay."

Proposed delays to some local elections in England could affect nearly ten million voters and raise human-rights concerns. The government indicated it would accept requests from local authorities to postpone polls if submitted by mid-January. Some councils report lacking capacity to run elections while implementing major local government reforms and are uneasy about spending on councillor positions due to be abolished. The government plans the biggest local-government reorganisation in 50 years, including a mayor for every region and mergers of two-tier areas by 2028. Ministers asked 63 affected councils about delaying May 2026 elections; several councils have requested postponements.

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