Letter to Editor: Possible postponement of elections in May 2026
Politics / Sat 27th Dec 2025 at 11:09am
Dear Editor,
Readers will be aware that many County and District councils face abolition in less than two years and are waiting for the Government to decide which of the options they have been presented with will be chosen.
Whilst the formal deadline for postponing elections next May has already passed, the Government has indicated that elections will be postponed if Councils ask them to do so, indeed a number have already done so.
Many believe that Councillors should not be able to pick and choose when elections take place. Next May will be the last time elections are held by Harlow District Council. Just how a new Authority is set up should not be left with people who were elected in May 2024 who have no mandate for change.
Over in Epping Forest, Councillors have been challenged to say whether they would support the postponement of elections. It would be interesting to learn how our Councillors here in Harlow would vote if asked.
A petition set up to oppose the postponement of elections in Harlow some weeks ago has been relaunched today and if you subscribe to the view that Councillors should not be able to pick and choose when elections take place, I would urge you to sign it at :
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/p/vote
Nicholas Taylor
Leader of the Harlow Residents Alliance
Seamus
2025-12-27 21:07:47
It certainly is interesting that Labour was very keen on democratic rights when they were in the opposition, now not so much. Any councillor who objects to the postponed election of 2025 now being run as was promised, in 2026, then that councillor should stand down. It would be clear that they are more interested in self preservation than the wishes of the electorate of Essex and therefore no longer the peoples voice.
Brian
2025-12-28 05:51:31
It doesn't matter when they hold the (any)election .This miserable bunch of u turning lying toe rags will get wiped out when ever they wish to hold any elections of any kind.
David Forman
2025-12-28 10:21:11
HRA is correct. No more delays. I want to vote next year.
Brenda
2025-12-29 20:47:23
Starmer quite obviously does not believe in democracy. This is a dictatorship. Ppl have the right to choose and to vote for whom they wish. But because this government are running scared. They know they are on a hiding to nowhere. If the local elections go ahead they will lose. The sooner starmer's bags are packed and he leaves no 10 the better. There will be celebrations throughout this country. How dare they take away people's right to vote. Shameful!
Eddie
2025-12-30 19:49:02
Every party small or large are absolutely useless, always have been. I have lived under many Prime Ministers, and nothing has ever improved
Guy Flegman
2025-12-31 08:50:18
No taxation without representation. There is probably a case for with holding council tax for the period you are denied your vote. We can dream.
Val
2026-01-02 18:33:46
We had all-out local elections in 2024 after the boundary review and changes. Surely, we are not due local elections until 2028. Didn't Harlow switch to 4 year all-outs like the majority of English councils? Also wasn't there a public consultation whereby 90% opted for 4 year all-outs. What is the point of having another lot of elections for body that will cease to exist in one year's time? Seem like a huge waste of time and taxpayer money.
Ted
2026-01-02 19:30:55
Labour voter then Val ?
Nicholas Taylor
2026-01-03 13:30:43
Val, the answer is no, there was no switch and no 90%. The current crop of councillors have no mandate for change and how the changes are made in practice should not be left to those who have no such mandate.
Val
2026-01-03 15:00:38
Why did Labour block the move to 4 year all-outs which the majority of councils operate? Having elections by thirds is wasteful, costly and makes for bad administration as we could have three different administrations in any 4 year period. How can that be efficient or allow longer term planning? We don't run national governments on this basis. I understand that the new unitary authorities will operate on 4 year electoral cycles. Labour's decision now looks like the turkeys did vote for any early Christmas. Can't see them winning a single ward in May.
Frank
2026-01-15 19:05:14
I’m all for proposing the May election, Harlow is in a real place for moving forward thanks to the council, the Art quarter, the square and bus station are on the way. If any new leader comes, this will all be cancelled, think really hard what you wish for
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