General · 17 February 2026
Government drops plan to delay 30 council elections
Ministers have abandoned proposals to postpone voting across 30 English local authorities following an imminent court battle initiated by Reform UK. While the case will not proceed, officials must pay Reform's legal fees, which are reported to exceed £100,000. Local Government Secretary Steve Reed’s team claims their legal guidance changed, though opposition parties are demanding these documents be published. Labour currently holds power in 21 of the affected areas, where polls suggested they faced potential losses.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs