UK Government Delays Local Elections in Nine Councils as Part of Major Restructuring

Angela Rayner announces postponement of elections affecting millions, citing council reorganization and devolution plans.

Local elections in nine English councils, including Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Surrey, have been postponed until May 2026 to facilitate local government restructuring.
The reorganization aims to replace two-tier council systems with new unitary authorities and introduce six directly elected mayors in regions like Cumbria and Greater Essex.
Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister, stated that holding elections for councils set to be abolished would waste taxpayer money and lack purpose.
Critics, including Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders, have accused the Labour government of rushing the process and failing to consult local residents adequately.
Election administrators warn of potential costs from last-minute cancellations, while opposition figures claim the delays could be politically motivated to avoid electoral losses.