Overview
- The government wrote in December to 63 councils offering the option to postpone May 2026 elections to ease reorganisation workload and costs, with responses due by January 15.
- New sessions have been scheduled to decide local stances, including Hampshire’s full council on January 12, Worthing’s extraordinary meeting on January 13, and cabinet or special meetings in Norwich and Oxford on January 14.
- Several leaders have publicly opposed any delay, including Norfolk’s Kay Mason Billig, Hampshire’s Nick Adams‑King and Eastleigh’s Keith House, while Hampshire says election preparations are underway.
- Nuneaton and Bedworth has submitted its response: Labour supports postponement while Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats oppose, prompting calls for an extraordinary meeting and a no‑confidence vote in the council leader.
- The Electoral Commission warns postponements should be exceptional and says extending terms risks legitimacy and conflicts of interest, with ministers expected to make final decisions early this year.