Deborah Meaden slammed as she attacks Nigel Farage over local elections U-turn: 'Champagne socialist!'

Her post came after Labour abandoned plans to delay 30 local elections scheduled for May 7, which would have affected 4.5 million voters across England and Wales.

The Government had originally argued that postponing the polls was necessary to allow councils to focus on major local Government reorganisations, a move that included merging or restructuring dozens of authorities.

However, facing imminent legal action from Reform UK, the administration received legal advice indicating that delaying the elections could be deemed illegal.

Ms Meaden, replying to Ms Davies’ post, attributed significant costs to the U-turn, claiming: “Nigel Farage has just cost the councils who requested a delay until next year MILLIONS when they have to re-run the council elections. £64million that should have been spent on its constituents.”

Some X users criticised her for the comparison, with one writing: “Ukraine cost a damn site more, but we’re not mentioning that at the moment…”

Ms Meaden responded sharply: “Seriously, you compare a war in which thousands are dying with the delay of local elections by a year…”

The debate spiralled, with many users questioning both the logic and priorities behind her claims.

One asked: “Please explain in plain English why this will cost millions. It is a vote, simple as that. A democratic vote.”

Another commenter criticised what they saw as selective outrage, saying: “Suddenly you’re bothered about spending, but of all things, democracy is where you have an issue. Let’s talk about the BILLIONS we can save elsewhere which aren’t actually necessary, before we speak about something democratically integral. Selective outrage.”

Questions were also raised about the legality and consistency of the Government’s approach.

Nigel Farage has just cost the councils who requested a delay until next year MILLIONS when they have to re-run the council elections. £64m that should have been spent on its constituents.

— Deborah Meaden 🇺🇦 (@DeborahMeaden) February 16, 2026

“So you would be perfectly ok with Reform cancelling elections too, Deborah?” one user commented, while another penned: “Why are you angry at Electoral Law being applied? Laws matter.

“Shouldn’t the Government know what the Law is and obey it? The views of the electorate matter. Are you aware that the council reorganisations for which these elections are supposedly being delayed may not happen?”

Others used sarcasm to highlight perceived contradictions: “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the definition of a Champagne socialist…”

The local election U-turn follows weeks of political turbulence.

Labour’s Housing Secretary Steve Reed had initially written to 30 councils, offering the option to postpone elections as part of plans for council reorganisation.

Many councils opted to delay, believing this would give them time to manage the restructuring.

But with Reform UK threatening a judicial review and the Electoral Commission raising concerns about “double delays” in certain counties, ministers reversed course.

Reform UK celebrated the Government’s retreat as a major victory for democracy.

Party leader and GB News presenter, Nigel Farage, called the outcome a legal and political win, stating on X: “We took this Labour Government to court and won. In collusion with the Tories, Keir Starmer tried to stop 4.6 million people voting on May 7. Only Reform UK fights for democracy.”

Ben Bradley, Reform UK’s Head of Local Government Delivery, told GB News the legal threat played a key role in Labour’s reversal, and expressed hope that Reform would perform strongly in the affected councils.

The decision has left councils scrambling.

Officers must now urgently resume election preparations, including securing polling stations and staff.

The District Councils’ Network warned the U-turn has created a “race against time” and risks undermining public confidence in local democracy.

Cllr Richard Wright, Chair of the network, said: “Council officers, councillors and local electorates will be bewildered by the unrelenting changes to the electoral timetable… It’s the Government, not councils that have acted in good faith, which should bear responsibility for this mess which impacts on people’s faith in our cherished local democracy.”

The public reaction online mirrored these frustrations, with many users highlighting what they saw as inconsistency and mismanagement by the Labour Government.

Critics argued the sudden reversal disrupted both council planning and voters’ expectations, while supporters of the U-turn framed it as a vindication for Reform UK and a reinforcement of citizens’ democratic rights.

As the elections approach, Labour faces pressure to field candidates across wards which may now be more favourable to Reform UK and the Green Party.

Polling suggests Labour could lose significant ground in councils such as Blackburn & Darwen, Cannock Chase, Exeter, Preston, and Worthing, while Reform UK is set to contest hundreds of additional seats.