Downing Street has rejected accusations that Sir Keir Starmer is acting like a “dictator” after the Government delayed four mayoral elections until 2028. The decision has sparked criticism from opposition parties and a former Labour minister, who accused the government of “cancelling democracy”.
A Number 10 spokesman defended the move, arguing the postponement would allow time for local government reorganisation under the Government’s devolution agenda. “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,” the spokesman said.
Former Labour local government minister Jim McMahon criticised the decision, telling the Commons: “We need to be better than this.” He added that local leaders had worked in good faith and “reasonably expected” elections to go ahead. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the delay a “scandal”, while Reform UK’s Nigel Farage said “only dictators cancel elections”.
The Government plans to hold inaugural mayoral elections for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex in 2028. Council elections in nine areas have already been postponed from 2025 to 2026 amid reorganisation plans.
The Association of Electoral Administrators warned that councils had already spent time and money preparing, and called for reimbursement guidance. Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley expressed “huge disappointment”, noting that candidates had been selected and campaigning was under way.
