𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour has performed a U-turn on plans to reorganise local councils after being accused by political rivals of trying to cancel democracy.

Attempts to change the authorities had been legally challenged by Reform UK, with leader Nigel Farage hailing the U-turn as a major victory.

Announcing the plans, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner declared that more than 14 areas will no longer be subject to the changes.

Instead, Andy Burnham wants to see a review carried out to devolve further powers to local communities.

Mr Farage said: “Reform UK not only argued that this Government’s plans for local government reorganisation were an unmitigated disaster, but we once again put our money where our mouth is.

“Earlier this year, we took on the Government and forced them to give the vote back to millions of people after Labour tried to cancel democracy. Now, thanks to our judicial reviews in affected Reform-led councils, the Government has backed down on their plans yet again.

“Only Reform had the backbone to stand up to these reckless plans. This is yet another embarrassing defeat for Labour. Only Reform backs real democracy.”

Ms Rayner was returned to the Government by Mr Burnham, having previously been sacked from the same job following a scandal over her property taxes.

She is expected to tell MPs: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.

“The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to do that.

“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister and any additional considerations.

“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”