Labour figures in Lancashire have expressed fears of electoral annihilation following the government's decision to reinstate council elections in May. The county has the highest number of unexpected polls after local government secretary Steve Reed scrapped plans to delay them, following a legal threat from Reform UK.
Seven councils—Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle, Chorley, West Lancashire and Preston—will now hold elections they had not anticipated, affecting nearly 790,000 residents. At the last county council election, Reform UK gained control with 53 out of 84 seats, leaving Labour with just four councillors.
A senior Labour insider described the situation as a 'proper shit show', predicting a 'Labour wipeout' and a '100% Reform' clean sweep when new unitary authorities are formed. Another source said the party likely would lose control of West Lancashire council, which currently holds a narrow majority.
Some council leaders, however, supported the government while standing by their original decisions to postpone. Alistair Bradley of Chorley council acknowledged the high bar for postponing elections, while Matthew Brown of Preston council said they 'quite relish the fight now' against Reform UK.
Councils expect to spend over £100,000 each on the elections, with greater impact on officer resources. Burnley council leader Afrasiab Anwar, who quit Labour over Gaza, criticised the 'complete chaos' and called for publication of the legal advice behind the U-turn.
