Major Shake-Up: Dozens of Councils Delay Elections Until 2027
Millions of residents across England will not participate in local elections as originally scheduled this year, following confirmation that twenty-nine councils have been granted permission to postpone their votes. The significant delay, which will see affected areas hold elections in May 2027 instead, comes as part of Sir Keir Starmer's government's comprehensive reorganisation of local governance structures.
Government's Rationale for Postponement
Housing Secretary Steve Reed has championed the move as "a once-in-a-generation reform" designed to transform local government for the better. He argues that eliminating the current two-tier system of district and county councils will create more efficient, accountable authorities.
"Cutting through two-tier bureaucracy means faster decisions on housing, simpler access to services, and more money going to potholes, tackling crime and caring for older people instead of being lost to duplication," Reed stated. "That's what residents want and that's what reorganisation will achieve."
Full List of Councils Postponing Elections
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed legislation will be brought forward to delay elections in the following authorities:
- Adur District Council
- Basildon Borough Council
- Blackburn with Darwen Council
- Burnley Borough Council
- Cannock Chase District Council
- Cheltenham Borough Council
- Chorley Borough Council
- City of Lincoln Council
- Crawley Borough Council
- East Sussex County Council
- Exeter City Council
- Harlow District Council
- Hastings Borough Council
- Hyndburn Borough Council
- Ipswich Borough Council
- Norfolk County Council
- Norwich City Council
- Peterborough City Council
- Preston City Council
- Redditch Borough Council
- Rugby Borough Council
- Stevenage Borough Council
- Suffolk County Council
- Tamworth Borough Council
- Thurrock Council
- Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
- West Lancashire Borough Council
- West Sussex County Council
- Worthing Borough Council
Elections Proceeding as Planned
Meanwhile, the MHCLG has confirmed numerous elections will proceed normally this year, including in:
- Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
- Cambridge City Council
- Essex County Council
- Hampshire County Council
- Isle of Wight Council
- Oxford City Council
- Plymouth City Council
- Portsmouth City Council
- Southampton City Council
- Southend-on-Sea City Council
And many other authorities across England.
Background to the Restructuring Plan
The postponements follow the government's unveiling of a plan to combine district and county councils into new "unitary authorities," abolishing the two-tier system prevalent in many English regions. Ministers argue this system "slows down decision making and delivery, leads to fragmented public services, sees money wasted on duplication and makes it unclear who is responsible for what."
Research from PwC suggests replacing the current structure with centralised councils overseeing minimum populations of 500,000 could save at least £1.8 billion over five years. The policy was included in Labour's 2024 election manifesto, with further details published in a December 2024 white paper.
Financial and Political Considerations
Ministers note that some councillors have expressed concern about "the cost to the taxpayers of holding elections to councils that are proposed to shortly be abolished." ITV reports West Sussex County Council estimated elections planned for 2026, 2027 and 2028 would cost taxpayers £9 million.
"Running a series of elections for short-lived zombie councils will be costly, time-consuming and will take scarce resources away from front-line services like fixing potholes and social care," Reed previously told The Times.
Political Controversy and Opposition
Opposition parties have accused Labour of "running scared" of voters, suggesting the delay represents an attempt to retain seats amid negative polling. Most councillors supporting postponement are Labour representatives, fueling accusations of political motivation.
However, Reed told MPs: "To those who say we've cancelled all the elections, we haven't. To those who say it's all Labour councils, it isn't. I've asked, I've listened, and I've acted. No messing about, no playing politics, just getting on with the job of making local government work better for local people."
Public and Legal Challenges
Many view the postponement as undemocratic, with constituents in Redditch expressing particular concern. Police were called to a protest outside the Labour-run council in Worcestershire where postponement was discussed.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has suggested delaying elections breaches human rights, while Nigel Farage has launched a legal bid to prevent delays from being implemented. The controversy highlights the tension between administrative efficiency and democratic accountability in local governance reforms.
