Government Elections U-Turn

All May 2026 Local Elections, Including Cannock Chase & Tamworth, to Proceed After Reform UK Legal Challenge 

In a dramatic reversal announced today, the UK government has scrapped plans to postpone dozens of local council elections scheduled for May 7, 2026. The move comes just weeks after the postponements were confirmed, following a High Court challenge by Reform UK, which accused ministers of undermining democracy.

The about-face affects around 30 councils across England that were set to have their polls delayed until 2027 amid a major shake-up of local government structures. These included Cannock Chase District Council in Staffordshire, along with others such as Redditch, Tamworth, East Sussex County, West Sussex County, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Thurrock.

A government spokesperson confirmed the U-turn, stating: “Following legal advice, the Government has withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May.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.”

Background: From Postponement to Panic

The saga began in January when Local Government Secretary Steve Reed approved delays for 29 councils (later rising to 30 with Pendle) undergoing reorganisation into fewer, more streamlined unitary authorities. The rationale was to free up resources for the complex process of merging district, borough, and county councils, with new unitary bodies expected to take over in 2027 or 2028.

Councils like Cannock Chase, Labour-run and facing boundary changes as part of Staffordshire’s reorganisation, had requested the delay, arguing it would allow focus on “transitional arrangements.” Existing councillors’ terms were to be extended by a year.

Critics, including opposition parties and Reform UK, slammed the move as a “power grab” to avoid tough elections amid poor polling for Labour. Reform leader Nigel Farage vowed to fight it, launching judicial review proceedings set for February 19-20.

Reform’s Victory and Political Fallout

Reform’s legal action proved decisive. Insiders pointed to a “misinterpretation of the law” as the government’s stumbling block, forcing the climbdown to avoid a likely court defeat.

A Reform UK source hailed the win: “Only Reform UK fights for democracy.” The party, which has surged in recent polls, claimed it would have performed strongly in the affected areas.

For Cannock Chase residents, the news means elections for 12 district council seats will now take place as originally planned. This comes after months of uncertainty, with the council’s website still listing the May 7 date until today’s announcement.

What Happens Next?

All 136 English local authorities due for elections on May 7 will now proceed.. This includes the previously delayed ones, ensuring voters in places like Cannock Chase can have their say on local issues such as housing, services, and the ongoing reorganisation.

The government insists the U-turn prioritises “certainty,” but it marks the latest in a series of policy reversals under Sir Keir Starmer’s administration. With local government reorganisation still on track, elections to the new unitary councils are eyed for May 2027.

Voters in Cannock Chase and beyond are urged to check their registration details via the Electoral Commission ahead of polling day.