The Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has executed another significant policy reversal, this time regarding the postponement of local council elections in England. This marks the thirteenth major U-turn since Starmer assumed office just nineteen months ago, highlighting a pattern of retreats that opposition critics are labelling as symptomatic of a "zombie government."
Council Election Delay Scrapped After Legal Challenge
In a dramatic capitulation, the government today abandoned its plan to delay local authority votes scheduled for May until next year. The decision was originally intended to facilitate a major reorganisation of English councils, with Local Government Secretary Steve Reed confirming the postponement less than a month ago, citing arguments about "capacity, reorganisation and democracy." However, facing a legal challenge from Reform UK, ministers reversed course "following legal advice," reinstating the original May election date.
A Growing List of Policy Reversals
This latest about-face follows a series of embarrassing retreats across multiple policy areas since Labour came to power in July 2024. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the development, stating: "This is a zombie government. U-turn after U-turn after U-turn. No plan or programme to deliver anything. Even the simple stuff that should be business as usual gets messed up."
The council election reversal is not even the first or second U-turn of 2026, despite the new year being just six weeks old. It adds to a growing catalogue of policy shifts that have characterised Starmer's premiership.
Detailed Timeline of Labour's U-Turns
Local Election Postponement (January 2026 - Reversed February 2026): Steve Reed announced the delay to May's polls last month, only for the government to reverse the decision today following Reform UK's legal challenge.
Pubs' Business Rate Relief Cut (November 2025 - Watered Down January 2026): Chancellor Rachel Reeves initially slashed a pandemic-era discount on business rates for pubs in her budget last year. Following outcry from pub owners, a £300 million "lifeline" was announced in January.
Digital ID Scheme (September 2025 - Junked January 2026): The Prime Minister announced a mandatory digital ID scheme for proving right to work in Britain. After opposition criticism and poor public polling, it was made voluntary.
Family Farm Tax (Announced October 2024 – Junked December 2025): Labour's first Budget included changes making farmers pay inheritance tax from this year. Ministers caved to pressure last month by raising the threshold to exempt most farms.
Employment Rights Bill (July 2024 – Watered Down December 2025): Labour's manifesto committed to increasing employment rights, including day-one unfair dismissal claims. Ministers abandoned this and other pledges in December after architect Angela Rayner left government.
Keeping the Two-Child Benefit Cap (July 2023 – Junked November 2025): Sir Keir vowed not to ditch the cap on cost grounds before becoming PM, but the government announced its scrapping at the last Budget.
Increasing Income Tax (Hinted at November 4, 2025 – Junked November 13, 2025): Ahead of the last Budget, the Chancellor heavily hinted at an income tax hike—a clear manifesto breach. The idea was ditched nine days later.
Welfare Reforms (March 2025 – Junked July 2025): Perhaps the most significant U-turn, where Sir Keir hoped to save £5 billion but ditched the plan minutes before a vote following a backbench rebellion, marking a point where he began to lose authority.
No More Tax Rises (October 2024 – Reversed November 2025): Ms Reeves promised at her first Budget not to "come back for more," but froze income tax thresholds at her second Budget.
£28 Billion Green Pledge (September 2021 – Ditched February 2024): The Chancellor unveiled this annual green energy investment pledge, but it was soon abandoned under cost pressures.
Grooming Gangs Inquiry (Pressure January 2025 – Conceded June 2025): Sir Keir initially accused proponents of "jumping on a bandwagon" but later announced an inquiry would be held.
Winter Fuel Payments (July 2024 – Junked June 2025): The Chancellor announced restricting the allowance to those on benefits, only to U-turn later.
National Insurance Rises (July 2024 – Junked October 2024): Labour promised not to increase National Insurance, but the Chancellor then increased NI for employers.
Help for Waspi Women (2022 – Junked December 2024): In 2022, Sir Keir vowed to help women who lost pension payments, but later said they would receive no compensation.
Political Implications and Future Outlook
This pattern of reversals raises serious questions about the government's stability and strategic direction. With the council election U-turn being the thirteenth in less than two years, opposition parties are increasingly framing Labour as indecisive and reactive. The legal challenge from Reform UK that triggered this latest reversal underscores how external pressures are forcing policy changes, potentially weakening the government's authority further.
As the May local elections now proceed as originally scheduled, all eyes will be on whether this latest episode impacts voter confidence in Labour's ability to govern consistently. The accumulation of U-turns across taxation, welfare, employment rights, and now electoral timing suggests a premiership struggling to implement its agenda amidst practical and political constraints.
