Government Will Not Delay Local Elections After Court Case

The government has decided not to postpone local elections in 30 areas of England. This decision was changed after a legal challenge. All elections will now happen in May 2026 as planned.
By Newsroom | Politics, United Kingdom |

The government has stepped back from plans to postpone elections in 30 English councils, a move that would have significantly altered the democratic timeline for millions. This abrupt change follows a legal challenge, introducing a period of uncertainty and a swift U-turn by the administration. The decision to delay had been presented as a measure to facilitate a significant overhaul of local government structures across England.

Government abandons plans to delay 30 council elections - 1

Background: A Shift in Local Governance

Initially, the government, led by Local Government Secretary Steve Reed, had proposed postponing elections in 30 specific English councils. This was part of a broader initiative to reform local authorities, moving from a two-tier system (district and county councils) to a single-tier 'unitary' authority model. The rationale provided was to create efficiency and streamline services by consolidating responsibilities.

Government abandons plans to delay 30 council elections - 2

  • The plan aimed to adjust election schedules for councils originally slated to hold polls in May 2026.

  • This postponement was intended to allow for the ongoing reorganization of local government structures.

  • The reform seeks to replace the existing division of responsibilities between district and county councils with a unified system.

  • Elections were reportedly scheduled to be pushed back, with some reports indicating councillors might serve longer terms, potentially up to seven years.

  • This adjustment was presented as a way to save public funds, with Steve Reed suggesting it would save "tens of millions of pounds."

The government's strategy faced immediate opposition. Reform UK launched a legal challenge against the proposed delay. This action was scheduled for a hearing in the High Court.

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  • Following Reform UK's legal challenge, the government has now withdrawn its original decision.

  • A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) confirmed the reversal, stating: "Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May."

  • The ministry emphasized the importance of providing certainty, adding, "Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026."

  • Nigel Farage, commenting on the development, framed it as a victory for Reform UK, stating, "We took this Labour government to court and won."

Impact and Wider Context

The decision to postpone elections had a broad reach, affecting numerous councils and millions of residents. The subsequent reversal signifies a significant shift in the government's approach.

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Government abandons plans to delay 30 council elections - 4

  • The postponement would have impacted elections in 30 English councils, potentially affecting over 4.5 million people.

  • This reversal comes after an earlier announcement on January 22, 2026, where 29 councils were listed as planning to delay elections.

  • The original plan aimed to align election schedules with a wider local government shake-up.

  • Reports indicate that elections for affected councils will now proceed as scheduled in May 2026.

Expert and Political Commentary

Political figures and commentators have reacted to the government's reversal. The move has been characterized as a significant U-turn.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the government want to delay the elections?
They wanted to change how local government works and thought delaying elections would help. They also said it would save money.
Q: What happened to stop the delay?
A group called Reform UK took the government to court.
Q: What happens now?
The government has dropped the plan to delay. All local elections in these 30 areas will happen in May 2026.