A fiery exchange erupted on GB News yesterday as presenter Martin Daubney clashed with guest Matthew Stadlen over whether Labour is deliberately delaying local elections to avoid facing voters in areas where Reform UK is surging.
Martin accused the governing party of being "scared" of the electorate, pointing to councils considering postponement of May's polls.
"It seems to me the Labour Party has a problem with throwing elections," Martin declared. "They want to postpone them, certainly in five areas where Reform, according to all the polls, look certain to win."
He added bluntly: "This isn't about reorganising, this is about running scared."
The heated debate comes amid growing controversy over potential delays affecting millions of voters across England.
A Telegraph investigation has uncovered that as many as 22 Labour-controlled councils are poised to accept the Government's offer to push back their elections.
Five authorities have already committed to postponement, while a further 17 remain undecided about whether to proceed with voting this spring.
By stark contrast, only four Labour councils have definitively rejected the delay option, confirming they will hold polls as scheduled in May.
Martin Daubney and Matthew Stadlen clashed on GB News
|GB NEWS
The picture differs markedly for opposition parties. Just two Conservative councils and a single Liberal Democrat authority have sought to postpone, with the vast majority pressing ahead with their planned elections.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed had offered councils the opportunity to defer polls until 2027, citing the need for time to focus on local Government reorganisation.
Mr Stadlen pushed back forcefully against the accusations, demanding proof before accepting claims of political manipulation.
"Where is the conclusive evidence?" he challenged. "I want to find clear, conclusive evidence that Labour, even at a local or national level, are trying to postpone elections."
Labour's election plans were discussed on GB News
|GB NEWS
He dismissed suggestions he was acting as a party loyalist, stating: "I'm not saying this as some kind of Labour Party apparatchik, I am not that."
Mr Stadlen acknowledged the political potency of the allegations, noting it would be "a fantastic story" if opponents could substantiate claims that ministers were delaying democracy for narrow self-interest.
However, he maintained his position firmly: "If Labour are doing this because of their own political ambitions, that is absolutely outrageous, but I won't say that's what they're doing until that's definitely the case."
Martin responded by pointing to the stark numerical disparity between parties still weighing their options.
Labour-led councils remain undecided
| PA"Let's look at the data. The evidence is there for people to make their own mind up," he argued. "There are 17 areas where Labour has not made its mind up. The Conservatives have three areas where they haven't made their mind up and the Lib Dems have one."
He suggested councils ready to face voters were those confident of their prospects, while those seeking delays feared the outcome.
"The party that is expecting to get annihilated are saying 'it's going to take too long'. It's manifestly clear, they're chickens," Martin declared.
When Mr Stadlen accused him of parroting Reform UK talking points, Martin rejected the charge outright, countering that his opponent was simply defending Labour.