Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Backlash Over Local Election Delays More than 20 local councils, most currently under Labour control, are expected to seek permission to cancel elections scheduled for May 2026 and push them back a full year. Critics argue this move strips millions of citizens of their right to vote, insulating Labour councillors from public judgment as the party’s popularity continues to slide.
Reform UK has already announced a legal challenge, seeking a judicial review to stop the delays and ensure the elections go forward as originally planned. Conservative voices have also condemned the move, accusing Starmer’s government of manipulating the electoral calendar for political advantage.
Reports indicate that up to 27 local authorities — covering more than 5.2 million people and approximately 3.7 million registered voters — are preparing to formally request the delay. This follows an invitation from Westminster, where ministers reached out to 63 councils, asking if they preferred to postpone elections due to upcoming changes in local government structures.
The Starmer government is leaning on a legal provision that allows election delays under “exceptional circumstances.” Labour ministers claim that internal council restructuring and limited resources make it impractical to hold timely elections. They argue the postponements are administrative necessities.
But opponents aren’t buying it. Many believe this is a dangerous precedent — one that trades away voter rights for bureaucratic convenience. They warn it allows Labour councillors to remain in power without facing their constituents, undermining the principle of democratic accountability when public trust is already fragile.
- Article Source:
Human Events
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