Mayoral Elections Postponed in Cumbria and Cheshire as Further Delays Loom
London, England – Mayoral elections planned for Cumbria and teh newly formed Cheshire and Warrington councils have been delayed by a year, adding to growing uncertainty surrounding the rollout of directly elected mayors across England. Reports also suggest potential postponements for upcoming elections in Sussex and Hampshire.
The delays raise questions about the government’s commitment to its devolution plan, announced in February, which aimed to establish six new mayoral combined authorities intended to “unlock regional growth” and shift “political power” away from central government. While the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government declined to comment on the reported postponements, the setbacks have already sparked political debate.
Cumbria’s election,originally slated for May 2026,was pushed back in a move officials said was intended to save money. The Cheshire and Warrington election faced a similar delay following concerns raised by local leaders. The reasons behind the potential delays in Sussex and Hampshire remain unclear.
Zia Yusuf of Reform UK suggested the government may be attempting to avoid potential electoral setbacks, noting Labor currently trails in national polls. Liberal Democrats local government spokesperson Zoe Franklin stated her party would fight to ensure the elections proceed as planned next May, asserting that “democracy delayed is democracy denied.”
The District Councils’ Association previously warned that the government’s plans for “mega-councils” could lead to “turmoil” and undermine local decision-making. The postponements add further complexity to a process already facing scrutiny from local authorities and opposition parties. The original plan envisioned these mayoral positions as key drivers of regional economic development and increased local control.
