Labour expected to postpone mayoral elections by two years amid continued Reform poll lead
Sign up to our free Brexit newsletter for our analysis of the continuing impact of Brexit on the UKSign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impactSign up to our free newsletter for the latest analysis on Brexit's impactSir Keir Starmer’s government is expected to announce that crucial elections for new mayors are set to be postponed by two years.Elections for newly created mayoral posts in Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington, Norfolk & Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex & Brighton, and Hampshire & Solent were due to be held next year. But it is understood the elections will be postponed until 2028, which has prompted accusations from Reform UK that it is a move to stop “big Reform wins”. An official announcement by communities secretary Steve Reed is expected this week.It comes after a poll this month by Ipsos put voting intention for Labour at 18 per cent, with Nigel Farage’s Reform leading at 33 per cent, although the party dropped 1 per cent from September. open image in galleryHousing Secretary Steve Reed is expected to announce the putting back of the elections (PA)Sir Keir’s own future has been pinned on how well Labour does in the elections next May with challenges in Wales, Scotland and London borough councils already causing Labour a headache.Meanwhile, some Tories in areas like Essex and Norfolk & Suffolk have also been appealing for a delay with fears of a wipeout to Reform.According to one government official, the expected delay to the mayoral elections is because of fears of Reform winning, as they did in mayoral races in Humberside and Lincolnshire last year.“In my opinion it is [fear of Reform], what other valid reason could there be to not have 2026 elections where candidates are already in place,” they said.Zia Yusuf, Reform’s head of policy, said: “This is a blatant attempt to stop big Reform wins next May. It’s an act of a desperate government who are clinging on to power by any means necessary.“Labour has proven time and time again that they’re not beyond denying democracy to millions of people in order to maintain their cosy status quo.”open image in galleryThe expected postponement of the mayoral elections by Labour comes amid a rise in support for Reform and its leader Nigel Farage (PA Wire) Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “This is a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy by a Labour government whose credibility and popularity are already in tatters.“The Conservatives firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well underway.”The Independent has seen briefing notes from officials suggesting that a ministerial written statement will be put out confirming the delay of the six mayoral elections to 2028.Added to that, the delay means that the elections would not be held under first past the post, where the candidate who gets the most votes wins, even if they do not have above 50 per cent.Instead, it would revert to a proportional supplementary vote system following the implementation of Labour’s local government reforms. Elections in nine council areas – East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey – were already postponed from this year to 2026 amid the reorganisation of local government in England. The Independent has approached the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Labour Party for comment.
