Overview
- Sky News found 24 of the 63 councils invited to consider deferral have requested a one-year delay, 31 said they would not, two could not agree, and six had not confirmed by the deadline.
- Eighteen of the requesting authorities are Labour-led, with councils such as Exeter, Peterborough and several in Lancashire seeking delays, while Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire plan to hold votes.
- Ministers retain the final say on any postponements and have framed the option as a way to free capacity for local government reorganisation and avoid short-term elections that would be overtaken by structural change.
- Media analysis cited in coverage suggests delays could help Labour retain control of councils it might otherwise risk losing, with the Financial Times’ assessment pointing to at least nine authorities.
- Opposition to delays has intensified, including protests in West Sussex, cross-party objections in Exeter, Conservative criticism of extended terms, and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage preparing a legal challenge.