Sir Ed Davey Calls for Investigation into Government's Local Election Delays
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has written to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, requesting an investigation into the government's plan to delay local elections. Davey warned that nearly 10 million people could have their democratic rights compromised if the elections are postponed. The government plans to delay elections in councils undergoing reorganisation, with new unitary authorities expected from 2028, alongside the potential introduction of local mayors. Sixty-three councils affected by this plan have been asked to indicate whether they require a postponement, with a deadline of 15 January to respond. Local government minister Alison McGovern has stated that postponements will only be allowed for councils demonstrating genuine capacity concerns, and that others will be heard. However, the Electoral Commission has criticised the plan, arguing that capacity constraints are not a legitimate reason to delay long-planned elections and that such delays could erode public trust. Reform UK has threatened legal action, accusing Labour and Conservatives of colluding to keep other parties out of power; Davey has echoed this sentiment in the past. After Sky News contacted the 63 councils, five reportedly requested a delay: Blackburn with Darwen (Labour), Chorley (Labour), East Sussex (Conservative minority), Hastings (Green minority), and West Sussex (Conservative). Furthermore, elections scheduled for May 2025 in nine areas, including Essex, Suffolk, East Sussex, and West Sussex, have already been postponed once.
