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Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of acting like a “despot” after it was revealed Labour is preparing to cancel four mayoral elections slated for next May.
Mr Farage, who bemoaned Labour’s decision to axe local contests across Reform-leaning areas earlier this year, suggested the Prime Minister was stifling his momentum through the allegedly democracy-denying decision.
Four new combined authorities - Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk, Hampshire & the Solent and Sussex & Brighton - look set to have polls pushed back by two years.
Ministers are expected to confirm the delay later today, The Sun has revealed.
Responding to the delay, Mr Farage said: “For the second year running, this failing Labour Government will now cancel elections in areas they fear that Reform will win.
“These are the actions of despots, not democrats.”
Essex, which already had its council contest delayed earlier this year, is a Reform UK heartland, with Nigel Farage picking up two seats in the county at the last general election.
Polling aggregator Nowcast currently projects Reform UK to win 17 out of 18 Essex seats.
Meanwhile, Reform UK also looks poised to pick up 15 out of 18 seats in Suffolk and Norfolk.
Reform does appear set to make significant inroads in Hampshire and Sussex, albeit with a challenge from the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and Tories.
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Tories reject 'stitch-up' jibe over decision to axe four mayoral elections
The Conservative Party has rejected claims it is involved in a democratic "stitch-up" after Labour delayed four mayoral elections across Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk, Hampshire & Solent and Sussex & Brighton.
Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly said: "The Conservatives firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well under way," he added.
"Democracy is being denied yet again after the council elections cancelled by Labour this year.
"There is no credible justification for this move. The Labour government must reverse it immediately."
Lib Dems blast 'disgraceful' decision to 'deny democracy'
The Liberal Democrats have joined Reform UK in voicing fury about the decision to delay four mayoral elections slated for next May.
Guildford MP Zoe Franklin said: "This is a disgrace. Democracy delayed is democracy denied.
"We are fighting to end this blatant stitch-up between Labour and the Conservatives over local elections.
"The Liberal Democrats will keep working to give millions of people their vote back in May."
REVEALED: The four counties no longer contesting mayoral elections
Labour is expected to announce today that four newly formed combined authorities will not contest elections next May.
Essex - 1.9 million residents
Norfolk & Suffolk - 1.7 million residents
Hampshire & Solent - 1.9 million residents
Sussex & Brighton - 1.7 million residents
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