The Reform UK leader has slammed the government after reports emerged that key battles next year will not go ahead.
Nigel Farage has erupted after the Labour government moved to cancel yet more elections next year. Voters in Essex, Hampshire, Sussex, Brighton, Norfolk and Suffolk were set to have their say on new mayors in 2026, as part of Labour’s commitment to more devolution.
Nigel Farage erupts as Keir Starmer cancels more elections next year
The Reform UK leader has slammed the government after reports emerged that key battles next year will not go ahead.
Farage slammed the delay (Image: Getty)
Nigel Farage has erupted after the Labour government moved to cancel yet more elections next year. Voters in Essex, Hampshire, Sussex, Brighton, Norfolk and Suffolk were set to have their say on new mayors in 2026, as part of Labour’s commitment to more devolution.
However it emerged last night that these elections are now being postponed until 2028, with ministers set to blame local council reorganisations for the delay. Nigel Farage has now condemned the move, branding it ‘despotic’. The Reform UK leader slammed: “For the second year running, this failing Labour government will now CANCEL elections in areas they fear that Reform will win.
“These are the actions of despots, not democrats.”
It’s the second set of major elections delayed by this government, after a number of councils last year were allowed to dodge votes.
Mr Farage was joined in his outrage by the Liberal Democrats, with spokesman Zoe Franklin branding it a “disgrace”.“Democracy delayed is democracy denied. We are fighting to end this blatant stitch up between Labour and the Conservatives over local elections.
“The Liberal Democrats will keep working to give millions of people their vote back in May.”
The Tories’ Sir James Cleverly MP, Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, said: “This is a scandalous attempt to subvert democracy by a Labour government whose credibility and popularity are already in tatters.
“The Conservatives firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well underway.
“Democracy is being denied yet again after the council elections cancelled by Labour this year. There is no credible justification for this move. The Labour Government must reverse it immediately.”
Some of May’s local elections this year were postponed by a year in areas of southern England under plans to radically reorganise councils and roll out further devolution.
Reform UK had accused Labour and the Conservatives of “colluding” to “officially cancel over 5.5mn votes in May”.
Nigel Farage’s party had been pinning its hopes on the May elections as it looked to build support on the ground.
Reform’s head of policy Zia Yusuf said: “This is a blatant attempt to stop big Reform wins next May. It’s an act of a desperate government who are clinging onto power by any means necessary.
“Labour has proven time and time again that they’re not beyond denying democracy to millions of people in order to maintain their cosy status quo.”Ministers are set to use an announcement either on Thursday or next week to pledge £200million every year for three decades for six new devolved mayors.
