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Reform UK has accused Labour of deliberately trying to prevent major gains for their party following reports that the Government plans to delay four mayoral elections scheduled for next year by two years. Under the reported proposal, elections in Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk would be pushed back to 2028.
Reform UK’s head of policy, Zia Yusuf, said: “This is a clear attempt to block big Reform victories next May. It shows how desperate the Government is as it tries to hold on to power at any cost. Labour has repeatedly shown it is willing to undermine democracy for the sake of preserving its comfortable political position.”
The Conservative Party also criticized the alleged plan. Shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly said: “This is a disgraceful effort by a Labour government—already suffering from collapsing credibility and popularity—to manipulate the democratic process. The Conservatives strongly oppose delaying these mayoral elections, especially when candidates are already selected and campaigning has begun.”
According to The Sun, ministers are expected to announce the delays on Thursday, arguing that more time is needed to complete the ongoing reorganization of local authorities.
Elections across nine council areas—East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey—had already been postponed from this year to 2026 for the same reason.
Reform UK saw significant gains in May’s local elections, securing over 600 seats, taking control of 10 councils from Kent to County Durham, and overturning a Labour majority of 14,000 in a parliamentary by-election.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been asked for comment.
