Overview
- Downing Street has pushed inaugural mayoral elections in Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk to May 2028.
- Nigel Farage says Reform UK is pursuing a judicial review of the postponement and has instructed a KC to examine the legality of the decision.
- Senior Conservatives criticised the delay but declined to support Farage’s court challenge, saying they would oppose the move through political channels.
- Ministers argue the rescheduling allows time to move to unitary councils under devolution plans, with each region promised £200 million a year in investment.
- Reform UK cites YouGov modelling that suggested it was on course to win in all four areas, and the party gained its first peer as Lord Offord defected from the Conservatives.