Overview
- Ministers have already pushed the planned Solent regional mayoral election back from May 2026 to May 2028.
- The Electoral Commission warns that delaying long‑planned elections on capacity grounds risks undermining legitimacy and public confidence.
- Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has asked the Equality and Human Rights Commission to investigate possible breaches of the right to free elections.
- A number of councils say they will proceed in 2026 without seeking delays, including several in Hampshire and Plymouth City Council.
- At least five councils plan to request a postponement, Sky News reports, naming Blackburn with Darwen, Chorley, East Sussex, Hastings and West Sussex, with responses due by 15 January.