Dozens of local councils across England have formally asked to postpone elections scheduled for this May, citing an ongoing Government-led restructuring of local authorities. Administrators report that at least 27 councils have made the request, including two in the Midlands: Redditch Borough Council and Rugby Borough Council.
Widespread Requests for Postponement
Data compiled by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) reveals that 16 district councils and 11 county councils have sought deferrals. The list of authorities asking to delay their district elections includes Basildon, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Cheltenham, Chorley, Exeter, Hyndburn, Ipswich, Norwich, Peterborough, Preston, Redditch, Rugby, Stevenage, and Thurrock.
Councils requesting to push back county elections are Adur, Arun, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Horsham, Lewes, Mid Sussex, Rother, Wealden, and Worthing. Furthermore, Hastings has asked for deferrals for both its district election and the county election in East Sussex.
Government's "Common Sense" Defence
The move comes as part of a significant revamp of local government, which will see the existing two-tier system of district and county councils replaced with new "unitary" authorities responsible for all services in their area. Ministers stated they would sanction delays if councils expressed concerns about implementing these reforms promptly.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended the approach, calling it a "common sense question." He stated, "It is only right that we ask whether it's sensible to elect people to councils that are actually going to change in their composition in a few years' time." He emphasised that the decision was locally led, with some Labour, Conservative, and Liberal Democrat councils all requesting delays.
Criticism and Administrative Pressure
The potential postponements have drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. Shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly accused Labour of "running scared of voters" and "denying democracy." He warned that some councillors could end up serving seven-year terms as a result of the delays.
Electoral administrators are now urging the Government for a swift final decision. Peter Stanyon, chief executive of the AEA, highlighted that the "starting gun" for May 7 elections is fired when notices are published at the end of March. "Time is ticking," he said, adding that administrators need clarity to either proceed or confidently "down tools."
The deadline for councils to submit postponement requests passed at midnight on Thursday. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government dismissed earlier reports as "pointless speculation," confirming an announcement on which elections will be delayed is expected imminently.
