UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Peers will vote on reversing Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s decision to cancel local elections, citing democratic concerns.
As reported by The Telegraph, the House of Lords is set to challenge Ms Rayner’s move to cancel local elections, with an essential vote scheduled for Monday.
How will peers challenge Angela Rayner’s election delay?
Local elections set for May 1 have been delayed, affecting 5.5 million voters across county councils due to the Housing Minister’s restructuring plans.
Liberal Democrat Baroness Pinnock and Green Party Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb have submitted “fatal motions” in the House of Lords, seeking to overturn Angela Rayner’s decision from taking effect.
The motions are unlikely to succeed but highlight growing anger over election delays, which are expected to create hurdles for both Labour and the Conservatives.
What did Sir Ed Davey say about the election delays?
Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat leader, stated,
“This is a disgraceful stitch-up between Labour and the Conservatives.”
He said,
“The Liberal Democrats made sweeping gains at the general election, and failing Conservative councils are now running scared of the voters.”
Mr Davey added,
“It’s now down to Kemi Badenoch to make sure the Conservatives in the Lords do the right thing and back our motion so we can restore votes to millions of people.”
During an annual spring conference in Harrogate, he stated,
“Their out-of-touch, disdainful thinking is why the Conservative Party is in the mess it is today,”
He said.
Mr Davey continued,
“Treating the day-to-day things that matter in people’s lives not just with indifference, but outright contempt. It’s why so many lifelong Conservative voters have turned to the Liberal Democrats.
He told activists,
“If Farage had his way, he would turn our great country into little more than a Donald Trump tribute act,”
Adding,
“He has said it himself, he sees Trump as his inspiration. He wants to do to Britain what Trump is doing to America – all the division, the nasty culture-war nonsense, the economic self-harm of tariffs.”
What did Baroness Jones say about reversing Rayner’s order?
Baroness Jones again urged the reversal of Ms Rayner’s orders, arguing it weakens local authorities’ democratic oversight and lacked proper consultation.
The Conservatives have put forward a “motion to regret,” signalling disapproval but stopping short of forcing the government to act.
What did Nigel Farage say about the Conservatives and election delays?
Nigel Farage, the Reform leader, stated,
“It would be disingenuous for the Conservatives to vote for the same motion in the Commons but then vote against this motion in the Lords.”
He added,
“If the Conservatives really care about democracy, their peers will vote for 5.5 million people to have their voice heard in May.”
What did Nigel Huddleston say about Labour’s election delays and local governance?
Nigel Huddleston, the Conservative co-chairman, stated,
“Postponing local elections by up to three years and extending councillors’ terms to seven years without a vote is a serious step, and one that should not be taken lightly.”
He stated,
“This is a top-down decision with no proper consultation and no clear democratic mandate. Labour’s approach risks undermining local accountability and sets a worrying precedent. Voters deserve the chance to have their say.”
Mr Huddleston added,
“This May, voters will face a clear choice. Labour hikes taxes and bankrupt councils. The Lib Dems cut services with gimmicks like four-day working weeks. Reform have never run anything. And the Greens will hike your taxes and cancel your bin day. Only the Conservatives have a proven record of delivering for local communities through lower council taxes, cleaner streets, more roads repaired, and better services that people can rely on.”
How did the Ministry of Housing respond to the election postponements?
A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated,
“We have agreed to postpone scheduled elections from May 2025 until May 2026 only, for nine councils whose requests met the high bar we set.
They continued,
“This postponement is necessary to unlock devolution and deliver reorganisation to the fastest possible timeline, which will drive growth and mean more money in people’s pockets, greater accountability, and the ability to reinvest in vital public services.”
What did the latest survey reveal about the May 1 elections?
A leading pre-election poll reveals that Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is expected to dominate in eight councils, while the Conservatives are expected to secure 10.
With a sample size featuring over 5,400 participants, this poll goes beyond the usual surveys, offering a detailed analysis of voter demographics.