Overview
- In a written statement, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said the government is "minded to" hold first elections in Greater Essex, Hampshire & the Solent, Sussex & Brighton, and Norfolk & Suffolk in May 2028.
- Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington will hold their inaugural mayoral votes in May 2027 after earlier requests to shift and align with wider local elections.
- Reform UK, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats condemned the move as anti-democratic, while No 10 rejected the criticism and said the timetable ensures new mayors can "hit the ground running."
- Ministers cite the need to complete local government reorganisation into unitary authorities, with the changes still subject to statutory consultations and instruments.
- Devolution minister Miatta Fahnbulleh announced a £200 million per-year fund for six regions for 30 years, and electoral officials sought clarity on costs and timelines, with some reporting the contests would use the supplementary vote rather than first past the post.