𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour will postpone four of next year’s mayoral elections until 2028, it has been suggested. Four new combined authorities – Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk – will have their polls pushed back two years. They were set to take place next May alongside other council elections.

The Sun reported that ministers are expected to make the announcement on Thursday because councils need more time to complete their reorganisation.

Some of May’s local elections this year were postponed by a year in areas of southern England under plans to radically reorganise councils and roll out further devolution.

Reform UK had accused Labour and the Conservatives of “colluding” to “officially cancel over 5.5mn votes in May”.

Nigel Farage’s party had been pinning its hopes on the May elections as it looked to build support on the ground.

Ministers are set to use an announcement either on Thursday or next week to pledge £200million every year for three decades for six new devolved mayors.

It is likely that Reform UK will hit out at the delays.