In recent weeks, various claims have circulated regarding the postponement of local elections in May 2025. Politicians, media outlets, and social media users have suggested that elections are being “cancelled,” with some alleging they will not take place until 2027 or that this is an unprecedented decision since World War II. However, while some council elections in England are being postponed due to local government reorganisation, the majority will go ahead as planned.
What’s happening with the elections?
The UK Government announced that elections in nine councils in England, originally scheduled for May 2025, will be postponed until May 2026. The decision was made to facilitate a reorganisation of local government in areas transitioning from a two-tier system (with both county and district councils) to single-tier unitary authorities. The affected councils requested these delays, and the Government has defended the move as a necessary step in its devolution and reform agenda.
Despite the postponements, local elections will still take place in 14 county councils, eight unitary councils, the City of Doncaster, and the Isles of Scilly. Additionally, six mayoral elections will proceed as scheduled.
Are elections being “cancelled”?
Some media reports and politicians have referred to these changes as an “election cancellation.” The Government, however, maintains that the elections are merely postponed rather than cancelled, as voting will still take place in May 2026. While the elections will technically be for newly formed unitary councils rather than existing ones, the delay does not constitute a permanent cancellation.
Critics from across the political spectrum have condemned the decision. A Conservative MP labelled it “anti-democratic,” the Liberal Democrats called it a “scandal,” and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage declared: “Only dictators cancel elections.” The Government has countered these criticisms by pointing to past instances where local elections have been postponed due to administrative changes.
Why are some elections being postponed?
England has a mix of local government structures. Some areas are governed by unitary authorities, while others operate under a two-tier system, with responsibilities split between county councils and district councils. The Government has been pushing to replace the two-tier system with unitary authorities, arguing that this structure improves efficiency, saves money, and enhances accountability.
Sixteen county councils and two unitary authorities requested election postponements to align with this transition. The Government approved delays in nine councils, citing the need for a smoother reorganisation process. The councils affected are:
- County Councils: East Sussex, Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, and West Sussex
- Unitary Councils: Thurrock and Isle of Wight
What local elections will still take place?
Originally, 33 local authority elections were scheduled for 1 May 2025, including all 21 county councils, nine unitary councils, and one metropolitan district council (City of Doncaster). With the recent announcement, elections in 14 county councils, eight unitary councils, the City of Doncaster, and the Isles of Scilly will still proceed as planned. Additionally, six mayoral elections will be held as scheduled.
This means that while some elections are postponed, claims that all local elections in 2025 have been “cancelled” are misleading.
How many voters are affected?
Before the Government’s announcement, speculation suggested up to nine million voters would be impacted by the postponements. However, the confirmed number is closer to 5.7 million registered voters within the affected councils.
Has this happened before?
Some have suggested that postponing local elections is unprecedented, claiming that such a move has not occurred since World War II. However, this is incorrect.
- In 2021, elections in three county councils and three district councils were delayed until 2022 due to local government reorganisation.
- In both 2019 and 2020, some district council elections were also postponed for the same reason.
- In 2020, local elections were postponed nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2001, foot and mouth disease led to election delays.
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Thus, while controversial, the decision to postpone some elections in 2025 is not without precedent.
What is labour’s plan for local government?
The Government’s English Devolution White Paper, published in December 2024, outlined a strategy to facilitate local government reorganisation. It stated that unitary councils could “lead to better outcomes for residents, save significant money which can be reinvested in public services, and improve accountability with fewer politicians.” The paper suggested that new unitary councils should generally serve populations of at least 500,000.
However, some experts and politicians have raised concerns about the impact of larger councils on rural communities, arguing that local representation and service quality could be compromised.
The Government has indicated that new unitary authorities will be implemented in April 2027 and 2028.
Conclusion
While some council elections in England have been postponed until 2026, the claim that 2025’s local elections have been “cancelled” is misleading. Elections in 14 county councils, eight unitary councils, and six mayoralties will still take place as scheduled. The postponements are part of a long-standing pattern of administrative changes in local government and are not unprecedented. However, the decision has sparked significant political debate, with critics arguing it undermines democratic processes.
