Labour’s postponement of four mayoral elections sparks claims of a political ploy to stifle Reform UK’s momentum

Labour has announced that four mayoral elections set for next year will be postponed until 2028, a move that has already drawn sharp criticism from Reform UK. The decision to delay the polls in Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk comes amid claims that the party is trying to prevent their opponents from securing major victories.

Ministers are expected to make the formal announcement on Thursday, explaining that the councils in question need more time to complete their reorganisation processes. However, critics are already accusing Labour of using the delay for political purposes, hoping to stall Reform UK’s rising support in the new combined authorities.

These elections, originally scheduled for May 2026 alongside other council elections, will now take place in 2028. The decision has caused frustration among opposition leaders, with Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, voicing his displeasure over the postponements. Farage, who is already facing the fallout from delayed council elections in areas Reform UK had targeted, labelled the delay a “blatant attempt” to prevent his party from making significant gains.

“The delay in these elections is nothing short of a political maneuver to stop us from winning,” Farage stated. “Labour is afraid of the momentum we’ve been building, and this delay is just another desperate attempt to hold on to power.”

The mayoral elections were part of a larger devolution shake-up, which involved merging several councils into new combined authorities. Under the new structure, Labour’s move to postpone the elections means that voters in these areas will have to wait two more years before having their say on local leadership.

Ministers have defended the delay, asserting that the new authorities need more time to settle into their restructured roles. They also point to an investment pledge linked to the new mayoral elections. The government plans to allocate £200 million annually for the next three decades to support these devolved authorities, which will be tasked with overseeing local economic development and accelerating housebuilding efforts in their areas.

In addition to the political row, the announcement has added to the growing tensions between Labour and its critics, who have accused the party of playing political games with the timing of key elections. Farage’s Reform UK party, which has been gaining traction in these areas, sees the postponement as an effort by Labour to avoid losing ground to a rising opposition.

Local officials in the newly formed combined authorities, however, have supported the delay, arguing that the complexities of merging multiple councils into single governing bodies require careful planning and time to ensure smooth operations. They maintain that the extra two years will allow for better preparation and a more effective system for local governance.

Despite these assurances, the postponement is likely to fuel further debate, particularly as the 2028 election date draws closer. Critics will be keeping a close eye on Labour’s strategy in the coming years and whether the delay will have any lasting impact on the party’s political standing.