The government has abandoned plans to postpone 30 local elections in May following legal advice.
Labour announced in December it was planning to cancel elections in 30 areas – affecting more than 4.5 million people – to overhaul English council structures.
But on Monday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it was no longer going ahead with the plan due to “new legal advice”.
Politics latest: Which councils are affected?
Reform UK had launched a legal challenge against the government, and the legal advice was in reaction to that case.
A letter from the government’s legal department to MHCLG, seen by Sky News, said the government will pay Reform’s legal costs.
Sky News understands the legal costs are in six figures.
An MHCLG spokesman said: “Following legal advice, the government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.
“Providing certainty to councils about their local elections is now the most crucial thing and all local elections will now go ahead in May 2026.”
The department has written to all 30 councils to confirm elections will go ahead in May.
There will also be a £63m fund to help local councils across those areas reorganise their structures, with “practical support” also on offer.
Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage told broadcasters that the government had “caved”.
“It’s a victory for Reform. But more importantly, it’s a victory for democracy in this country. We are delighted,” he said.
He added that the government had U-turned because they would have lost in court – and suggested Local Government Secretary Steve Reed’s job should be at risk.
U-turn number 15
This is now the 15th U-turn by Sir Keir’s government since coming to power in July 2024.
Less than two hours before the…
