A Cabinet minister has defiantly defended the controversial decision to cancel a swathe of local elections, as Nigel Farage announced a legal bid to force the votes to go ahead.
Legal Challenge Over 'Banana Republic' Delays
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is expected to launch High Court proceedings today in an attempt to overturn the government's move. He has branded the postponement of contests in areas undergoing devolution reforms as behaviour worthy of a 'banana republic'.
Mr Farage stated he was 'primed and ready' to seek a judicial review, arguing that settling arguments at the ballot box is a fundamental principle. 'Denying elections is the behaviour of a banana republic,' he said, accusing Labour, the Conservatives, and the Liberal Democrats of connivance in the delays.
Ministers Defend Axing 'Zombie Council' Votes
The legal challenge comes as the deadline passed for councils to apply for postponements. At least 30 local authorities – covering more than five million people – are expected to have sought delays by the midnight deadline.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed batted away criticism, insisting it was pointless to hold elections in May for what he termed 'short-lived zombie councils'. Writing in The Times, Mr Reed argued the public would not want costly elections for roles set to be abolished, which would duplicate services and drain resources from frontline priorities like fixing potholes and social care.
'Ask the public if they think it's a good idea to elect thousands of councillors to jobs that are set to be abolished,' Mr Reed wrote. He swiped that 'Reform wants pointless elections while Labour wants to fix potholes', adding that outside Westminster the choice was obvious.
Political Stakes and Affected Councils
The postponed local elections are seen as a critical test for Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, with Labour facing difficult polls in Scotland and Wales and potential losses on councils.
Ministers had invited 63 local authorities undergoing reorganisation to apply for delays, some for a second consecutive year. Around two-thirds of the councils involved are Labour-controlled, including Blackburn, Preston, Exeter, and Thurrock. However, the list also includes large Tory-controlled councils like East Sussex, West Sussex, and Suffolk, as well as Lib Dem-run Cheltenham.
The move has sparked accusations of a panicked effort to prevent gains by Reform UK and shore up support for the Labour leadership, claims the government strongly denies.
