New mayoral elections to be delayed in four areas of England until 2028

Key Highlights

• Meanwhile, Liberal Democrats local government spokesperson Zoe Franklin said the party would work to see the vote next May does go ahead, adding, "democracy delayed is democracy denied". And the Conservative candidate for Hampshire and the Solent called the decision to delay them a "disgrace and an affront to democracy"."It is clear Labour are afraid to face the British public at the ballot box," Donna Jones said. The government had announced the original election date when they said in February that six new areas were joining the DPP. It said the plans were the "key to unlocking regional growth" and came after "political power has been hoarded in Whitehall" for "too long". But the body representing district councils warned at the time that the plans could spark "turmoil" and argued "mega-councils" could undermine local decision-making. Cumbria and the soon-to-be merged triple councils of Cheshire and Warrington were due to have local mayors elected in May 2026 but both have been pushed back by a year.
• The former was postponed in a bid to save money, while the latter was delayed after concerns from local leaders. What is devolution and how does it work in the UK?Rayner promises mayor for every region of EnglandCheshire devolution: what happens next?UK devolutionEssex.