Labour expected to postpone mayoral elections by two years amid continued Reform poll lead
Keir Starmer’s government is expected to announce that key elections for new mayors will be postponed for two years.
Newly created mayoral elections in Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington, Norfolk & Suffolk, Greater Essex, Sussex & Brighton and Hampshire & Solent were due to be held next year.
But it is understood the elections will be delayed by two years until 2028, leading to accusations from Reform that this is a move to stop the “great Reform win”.
Communities secretary Steve Reed is expected to make a formal announcement this week.
It follows a survey by Ipsos this month to put Labour’s polling share remains at 18 per cent, with Nigel Farage’s Reform leading on 33 per cent, although the party is down 1 per cent from September.
Sir Keir’s future depends on how well Labor does in next May’s election; Challenges in Wales, Scotland and London county councils are already causing Labor headaches.
Meanwhile, some Conservatives in areas such as Essex and Norfolk & Suffolk are also calling for a delay over fears Reformation will be written off.
The expected delay in the mayoral election is due to fears that Reform will win, as was the case in the Humberside and Lincolnshire mayoral races last year, according to a government official.
“I think so [fear of Reform]”What other valid reason could there be for not holding the 2026 elections, when the candidates are already available?” they said.
Zia Yusuf, Reform’s policy chief, said: “This is a clear attempt to stop major Reform victories next May. This is the action of a desperate government clinging to power at all costs.”
“The Labor Party has proven time and time again that it is capable of denying democracy to millions of people in order to preserve the comfortable status quo.”
Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “This is a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy by a Labor government whose credibility and popularity are already in tatters.
“Conservatives strongly oppose the decision to postpone the mayoral election, especially at a time when candidates are being chosen and campaigns are ongoing.”
Independent Briefing notes from officials have been seen suggesting a ministerial written statement will be issued confirming that six mayoral elections have been postponed until 2028.
In addition, the delay means that elections will not be held after the first mandate won by the candidate with the most votes, even if he or she does not receive more than 50 percent of the vote.
Instead, a system of proportional additional votes will be introduced following the implementation of Labour’s local government reforms.
Elections in nine council areas – East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey – were postponed from this year to 2026 due to the reorganization of local government in England.
Independent It approached the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Labor Party for comment.
