Overview
- Elections for the new mayoralties in Greater Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent, and Sussex and Brighton are now slated for May 2028, with ministers saying they are “minded to” proceed subject to statutory consultations and instruments.
- The government announced a £200 million annual devolution fund for six regions, with provisional allocations including £41.5m for Greater Essex, £44.6m for Hampshire and the Solent, £37.4m for Norfolk and Suffolk, and £38m for Sussex and Brighton.
- Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK condemned the move as denying voters a say, No 10 rejected claims the prime minister is acting like a dictator, and Nigel Farage said Reform is considering a judicial review.
- Officials and reporting indicate the delayed contests would be run under a more proportional supplementary vote system rather than first past the post once Labour’s local government reforms take effect.
- Local leaders and election administrators warned of sunk preparation costs and called for reimbursement, Hampshire and Solent councils said they did not seek a delay, and ministers said 2026 council elections remain scheduled as Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria target inaugural mayoral votes in May 2027.