Nigel Farage has announced plans to launch a legal challenge against the Government’s decision to delay a set of inaugural mayoral elections.
Voters in Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex were set to go to the polls next year for the first time to decide mayors for the newly created local authorities.
However, these have now been pushed back to May 2028, with Downing Street saying the decision would allow more time for reorganisation of local authorities under its devolution agenda.
However, opposition parties have criticised the move, with Reform UK’s Director of Policy Zia Yusuf called it a "blatant attempt to stop big win."
Mr Farage told The Telegraph: "We are actively pursuing a judicial review action against the Government over yet another attempt to delay elections where they fear Reform will win.
"Labour’s plans to cancel even more votes this year than last year must be challenged."
The new mayoralties were announced in February under devolution plans, which also promised the replacement of two-tier district and county councils with one body.
Council elections in nine areas, East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey, were already postponed from this year to 2026 amid reorganisation plans.
Nigel Farage will launch legal challenge against the Government over the plans
|REUTERS
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, the North West Essex MP, wrote on X: "This is the second time Labour have cancelled elections. Democracy isn’t optional. We will oppose this every step of the way."
Green Party Deputy Leader Mothin Ali said: "Labour are running scared, this delay tactic is designed to try and mitigate their losses.
"The Green Party are set to do really well in the mayorals next year especially given the calibre of candidates we have!"
Liberal Democrat Local Government spokeswoman Zöe Franklin MP 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."
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Kemi Badenoch blasted the decision
|PA
A Government Spokesman told The Telegraph the administrative reforms were aimed at "handing control back to communities", with each region handed £200million of investment every year.
The spokesman added: "This will deliver the homes, better transport and jobs these communities want. It is right that local government reorganisation is completed in these regions first so that devolution is built on a strong foundation.
"We make no apologies for taking this responsible approach.
"Reform should be welcoming this vital investment, but it is no wonder that Nigel Farage’s chaotic and divisive response is to waste taxpayers’ money with a pointless legal challenge."
Sir Keir Starmer has come under fire for the decision
| PAIt comes just hours after Conservative life peer Malcolm Offord has defected to Reform UK.
Lord Malcolm Offord was announced by Nigel Farage as the latest defector to join the party during a rally in Falkirk.
The Scottish financier previously served as a Scotland Office minister, and was the Scottish Tories’ treasurer at the time of his defection.
Mr Farage said he was "delighted" to welcome Lord Offord to Reform, describing his defection as "a brave and historic act."
He added: "He will take Reform UK Scotland to a new level."