Overview
- Between 24 and 29 of the 63 councils invited to do so have formally asked for a one‑year deferral, with the government expected to decide which requests are granted shortly.
- Sky News confirmed 24 requests, 18 from Labour‑led authorities, while other tallies put the figure higher and list areas including Cheltenham, Exeter, Thurrock, Ipswich and parts of Sussex and Lancashire.
- Councils seeking delays say staff capacity and election costs during local government reorganisation justify a pause, but some areas are pressing on, including Hampshire and three Cambridgeshire councils, while Peterborough has asked to postpone.
- The Electoral Commission has cautioned that scheduled elections should proceed except in exceptional circumstances and warned that further deferrals risk undermining legitimacy and public confidence.
- Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he is preparing a legal challenge, and analysis reported by the Financial Times indicates delays could help Labour avoid losses and keep hundreds of councillors in office for an additional year.