US EditionWatchdog criticises 'unprecedented' government offer to delay local elections
The Electoral Commission warns delaying elections for 63 councils risks damaging public confidence and legitimacy amid ongoing local government reorganisation.
- On December 18, the Electoral Commission criticised the UK government’s offer to delay local council elections next year, warning it risks damaging public confidence.
- Ministers said councils raised capacity and cost concerns about resource-intensive polls during local government reorganisation, and Local Government Minister Alison McGovern said "multiple" councils requested postponements, citing precedents in 2019 and 2022.
- Sixty‑three councils were asked to respond by 15 January; five confirmed delays, with West Sussex citing a £9m cost, and 10 said they would not request delays.
- Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive of the Electoral Commission, warned on Friday that mid-January decisions create "unprecedented" uncertainty before May 2026 and said delays risk legitimacy, with some councillors potentially serving seven years without elections.
- Opposition parties say the offer looks like a 'stitch up' as Reform UK threatened legal action accusing Labour and the Conservative Party of colluding, a claim echoed by Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Watchdog criticises 'unprecedented' government offer to delay local elections – as five councils confirm requests for postponement
The Electoral Commission said voting should only be deferred in exceptional circumstances and that the move risked "damaging public confidence".
Labour accused of 'damaging public confidence' as watchdog makes extraordinary intervention
The Electoral Commission has slammed the decision of further delays to local elections, saying capacity constraints are not a legitimate reason to postpone long-planned polls
In 63 local authorities, counties and districts, the United Kingdom, local elections are not scheduled to take place in May 2026, as it is intended. Due to alleged "capacity problems", as Mr Starmer wrote in a letter to the local authorities concerned, the local elections can be postponed. Mr Starmer organized the same charade in 2025 to reduce the losses in local elections for...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources are Center, 40% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
