In a dramatic reversal of policy, Keir Starmer's Labour government has abandoned its controversial plan to postpone local elections scheduled for May 2026. The initial proposal would have cancelled polls in 30 specific areas across England, directly affecting approximately 4.5 million registered voters.
Government Retreats Following Legal Pressure
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) formally confirmed the U-turn, attributing the decision to received legal counsel. A government spokesperson stated, "Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May." The spokesperson emphasised that "providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026."
Financial and Political Fallout
The reversal comes with significant political and financial consequences. In a further embarrassment for the administration, ministers have agreed to cover the legal costs incurred by the Reform party, which mounted a formal challenge against the postponement. Housing Secretary Steve Reed, in correspondence to council leaders, indicated the government would offer "practical support" to local authorities navigating the reinstated election timeline. This support package includes making £62 million available to councils undergoing structural reorganisations.
Steve Reed had previously authorised the delay, arguing it was necessary to free up administrative "capacity" for a major overhaul of local authority structures. The original plan was framed as a measure to facilitate smoother council reorganisation, but it faced immediate criticism and legal action.
Council Control: The Political Landscape
With elections now confirmed to proceed on Thursday, May 7, 2026, the political balance in the 30 affected councils is under renewed scrutiny. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of which parties currently hold power in these authorities.
Labour Majority Control
Labour maintains overall majority control in fifteen local authorities:
- Adur (district council)
- Blackburn with Darwen (unitary authority)
- Cannock Chase (district)
- Chorley (district)
- Crawley (district)
- Exeter (district)
- Hyndburn (district)
- Ipswich (district)
- Lincoln (district)
- Preston (district)
- Redditch (district)
- Stevenage (district)
- Tamworth (district)
- Thurrock (unitary)
- Worthing (district)
Conservative Majority Control
The Conservatives hold overall majority control in four councils:
- Harlow (district)
- Norfolk (county council)
- Suffolk (county)
- West Sussex (county)
Liberal Democrat and Coalition Control
The Liberal Democrats have overall majority control in Cheltenham (district). In Pendle (district), an Independent-Liberal Democrat joint administration is in power. A more complex coalition, comprising Independent-Liberal Democrat-Green parties, runs the administration in Burnley (district).
Minority Administrations
Several councils operate under minority administrations where no single party commands a majority:
Labour-run minority administrations:
- Norwich (district)
- Basildon (district)
- Peterborough (unitary)
- Rugby (district)
- Welwyn Hatfield (district)
- West Lancashire (district)
Conservative-run minority administration: East Sussex (county).
Green-run minority administration: Hastings (district).
This detailed landscape sets the stage for a highly contested set of local elections in May 2026, with millions of voters now confirmed to have their say following the government's significant policy reversal.
