Downing Street has rejected suggestions Sir Keir Starmer is acting like a “dictator” amid a row over the Government’s decision to postpone four mayoral elections. The votes, due next year, will now be pushed back to May 2028 to allow more time for the reorganisation of local authorities under the devolution agenda.
Critics have accused Labour of “cancelling democracy” as the party faces poor poll ratings and speculation about a challenge to Sir Keir’s leadership. Number 10 declined to apologise for the changes on Thursday, insisting they are about ensuring devolution “in a pragmatic and structured way”. A spokesman said: “It’s important that these mayors have the structures and the organisations in order to be able to hit the ground running from day one.”
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said ministers were “minded” to hold inaugural mayoral elections for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex in 2028. Former Labour minister Jim McMahon criticised the move, warning “we need to be better than this”, while Reform UK said “only dictators cancel elections” and the Tories branded it a “scandal”.
Asked whether the Prime Minister is acting like a dictator, the No 10 spokesman told reporters: “No, our plans for greater devolution will put power into the hands of those who know their communities best.” He added that the move is “subject to statutory instruments, statutory consultations and working with local authorities”. Mr McMahon, who returned to the back benches after a reshuffle, told the Commons the Government had “a moral and a legal obligation to honour its side of the bargain”.
The new mayoralties were announced in February under devolution plans, which also promised replacing two-tier district and county councils with one body. Council elections in nine areas – East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey – were already postponed from this year to 2026. Reform leader Nigel Farage branded the reorganisation a “dog’s dinner”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch wrote on X: “This is the second time Labour have cancelled elections. Democracy isn’t optional.” Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley expressed “huge disappointment”, and the Association of Electoral Administrators warned that money had already been spent preparing for elections and called for clarity on reimbursement.
