Overview
- Exeter and Norwich formally asked ministers to cancel this May’s city elections, citing capacity pressures from local government reorganisation and projected savings such as at least £250,000 in Norwich.
- Burnley and Pendle moved to request postponements, while Essex County Council and cross‑party leaders in Hampshire said May votes should go ahead, and Oxford scheduled a meeting to decide its stance.
- Local government secretary Steve Reed said he is minded to approve deferrals and argued the public would support avoiding “pointless” elections to councils set to be abolished.
- Reports indicate around 27 of the 63 councils consulted — including about 21 Labour‑run authorities — plan to seek a delay, potentially affecting more than 5 million residents and 3.7 million registered voters.
- The Electoral Commission warned that “capacity constraints” are not a legitimate reason to defer long‑planned polls, and Reform UK said it is preparing a High Court challenge to any cancellations.