First, new executive mayors were scheduled for election in English local government voting—in Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & the Solent, and Sussex & Brighton—in May 2026. Now, voters will be forced to wait until at least May 2028.
The government is arguing that more time is needed to prepare for the creation of the four senior municipal posts. However, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage slammed the decision, saying it
goes to show the complete and utter disdain this… has for liberty, democracy, freedom in this country—and everything we have held dear.
Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, called delaying the elections by two years a “deliberate dictatorial cancelling of democracy.” Farage is now discussing the scope for a judicial review to overturn the decision.
Other opposition parties are calling for the elections to go ahead as planned, with shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly alleging that Labour is “subverting democracy.”
Such calls were not forthcoming just six weeks ago, when seven Conservative-run county councils pressed Westminster to postpone 2026’s municipal elections until the following May.
