Why don’t Harlow councillors want to discuss possible cancellation of elections?
Elections / Sat 3rd Jan 2026 at 12:22pm
A LARGE number of councils have expressed concerns that local elections, set for May, may be cancelled.
The government say they have been contacted by councils who (they say) have said they are struggling with the demands of Local Government re-organisation.
However, we have seen councils and councillors all over the country saying, whether you agree or disagree, there should be a discussion.
Everywhere that is, it seems, apart from Harlow.
We e-mailed Harlow Conservative leader, Dan Swords, Harlow Labour leader, James Griggs and the one Reform councillor, Paul Jago.
Harlow Labour’s James Griggs told us they will next meet on January 12th.
There are no planned meetings at Harlow Council until February.
We know that political organisations such as the Harlow Residents Alliance have expressed concerns.
Others have expressed concerns that the thirty three councillors in Harlow, many of whom, were elected in 2024, may be able to avoid the ballot box until the council is dissolved in April 2028.
Here are examples of concerns in the local area.
Southend
Councillors have demanded an extraordinary full council meeting to guarantee that Southend’s local elections will go ahead in May 2026, amid fears they could still be postponed. The Government has written to councils undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, asking if they wish to delay elections by 12 months, stating that it would be “minded to approve” such requests.
The offer follows a decision to push back planned mayoral elections, including the Greater Essex mayor vote, until 2028. Councils have until January 15 to apply for a deferral. Southend Council is set to be abolished under Local Government Reform (LGR), which will merge 15 Essex councils into a smaller number of unitary authorities. While Southend had no election in 2025 due to a scheduled fallow year, polls were expected to return in May 2026.
Concerns arose after council leader Daniel Cowan initially failed to rule out a delay during December’s full council meeting. He later issued a statement confirming the Labour-led joint administration would support elections going ahead.
The Reform Group, backed by Independents Ron Woodley and Susan Badger, has called for an extraordinary meeting on January 12 to vote on the issue.
Tony Cox, leader of the Reform Group, said: “We called for this meeting straight after the last full council because Daniel Cowan wouldn’t rule out cancelling the elections.
“I’m of the view that only dictators cancel elections. If what he now says is true, it should be a formality – but all this could have been avoided had he made the commitment at full council.”
James Courtenay, Conservative Group leader, added: “There should be elections to the new authority in 2027, but at the moment the government is still consulting. World wars and pandemics are reasonable reasons to delay elections. The fact that you are not doing too well in the polls is not.”
Speaking last month, Mr Cowan said: “Local elections in Southend are going ahead in May 2026. This has always been our position and that has not changed. While elections will come at a substantial cost to the taxpayer, this is the decision we’re taking in Southend. We look forward to standing on our record and building a city to be proud of.”
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Thurrock
A REQUEST has been submitted by Reform UK councillors for an extraordinary meeting of Thurrock Council to be held in the new year, when councillors would get to speak, debate and possibly vote on the government’s invitation for the council to apply for next May’s local council elections to be postponed.
Thurrock Reform group leader Cllr Alex Anderson said: “Last year Labour ‘postponed’ local elections across the country, including here in Thurrock.
“At the time, they told us this wouldn’t be for more than 12 months. Government are now breaking this promise and are asking Thurrock Council if it wishes to cancel elections for a second year on the bounce.
“The significance of this decision can’t be understated and it’s why Thurrock Reform have submitted a request to the mayor for an extraordinary full council. This issue must be discussed, debated, and voted on by all councillors.
Epping
Epping Forest District Council’s group leaders will meet early in the new year to consider the Government’s offer to postpone the May 2026 district council elections to support the timetable for Local Government Reorganisation.
If required, an extraordinary full council meeting will be convened before the 15 January 2026 deadline.
The government’s proposal which arrived too late for councillors to debate at the final meeting before Christmas, follows the government’s earlier decision to delay the Mayor of Greater Essex election from 2026 to 2028.
Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Council, has made it clear that he will not be asking the government to postpone the district council elections.
At the recent full council meeting, Councillor Whitbread confirmed he will consult group leaders and, if necessary, bring forward an extraordinary full council meeting to agree the council’s formal response.
Broxbourne
Broxbourne Council can confirm that it will be asking the Minister not to cancel the elections which are due to be held on 7 May 2026.
Yesterday afternoon, the Minister of State for Local Government announced that the Government is “seeking the views of Council Leaders regarding their local capacity to deliver local Government reorganisation alongside elections”. Depending on the responses, she may then make an Order to postpone next year’s elections.
Councillor Corina Gander, Leader of Broxbourne Council said:
I am absolutely clear Broxbourne Council will not be asking for the 2026 Broxbourne Council Local Elections to be delayed.
The Government is asking elected councillors to choose to cancel elections on the basis that holding these elections will adversely affect the capacity of councils to deliver Local Government Reorganisation. I do not believe this to be the case.
As the Leader of this Authority, I see absolutely no conflict between our democratic duty and our ability to run Broxbourne.
As ever, I am guided by doing what is best for the people we represent. I believe in democracy and giving people a voice, therefore, I am not prepared to deny them their voice at the ballot box!
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Basildon
Next Thursday evening, I’m taking the unusual step of holding a Cabinet meeting where I will suspend standing orders so that every councillor who wishes to, can ask a question of the Cabinet on Local Government Reorganisation.
I’m doing this because there has been a concerted attempt by opposition groups to mislead people and claim that Labour wants to cancel elections because of the polls. That is simply not true.
Let me be absolutely clear: no councillor can postpone an election. Only the Secretary of State can do that.
What this council is doing is setting out the evidence for why holding elections at this point would jeopardise the delivery of the new unitary councils.
I will defend this administration’s record to the hilt. In 18 months, we have achieved more than the Conservatives managed in 18 years and in 18 months Reform won’t even exist.
But I will not jeopardise the abolition of Essex County Council. The prize is far bigger than party politics.
The prize is living in a place with a unitary council where 100% of our council tax stays here in Basildon, instead of just 14%, as happens now.
The reason elections are potentially being postponed is not politics, it’s reality. Delivering brand new councils is a monstrous task, and we cannot get it wrong. In areas like fostering, adoption and adult social care, councils make life-and-death decisions every single day. Transitioning those services must be done properly, safely and responsibly.
This is the biggest intervention by any government in how local government works in a generation, which is why I believe every councillor deserves the opportunity to put their view on the record.
I believe passionately that Essex County Council and Basildon Borough Council are over. These organisations are being wound down and will not exist in 24 months.
The new unitary councils will have the power and the money to finally deliver what Basildon residents have always wanted:
• fixing potholes
• turning streetlights back on
• opening youth services
• providing quality care
• collecting bins every week
After half a century of poor outcomes and Basildon being held back by a broken system, that era is ending. Things are getting better, and we are so close to getting the council we actually deserve.
The report going to Cabinet sets out the full scale of the work that must be completed to get us there by May 2027. Nothing must jeopardise that.
I know not everyone will agree with me. I respect that. But I will always do what I believe is in Basildon’s best interests.
I believe that means delivering the unitary council Basildon needs and closing Basildon Borough Council for good.
The days of failure are over.
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Uttlesford
Elections will take place across Uttlesford on 7 May 2026 to elect Essex County Councillors.
These elections were postponed from May 2025, find out more on the Essex County Council website.
Nominations for candidates wishing to stand must be submitted in person in accordance with the legal timetable.
Nomination packs will appear here by 15 March 2026. They should be downloaded and completed. See guidance on how to complete the nomination on an annotated nomination papers (PDF, 710 KB). Guidance on your campaign and how to stand for election can also be obtained from the Electoral Commission.
Completed nomination papers should be emailed to [email protected] so these can be checked prior to formal submission in person to the Elections Office in Saffron Walden. You should contact Elections Office to make an appointment or call the Electoral Services Manager direct on 01799 510534.
Six in Hertfordshire
voteforme
2026-01-03 12:29:27
I am quite happy not to have local elections if it means our "local conservatives" remain in power. I feel a win for any of the other National parties would be a disaster for our town. Mind you I feel the opposite about Essex county council
Adam
2026-01-03 13:17:23
Because they know they will be voted out, and the gravy train is coming to an end for the lib lab con. Even though Dan has made a good start the uniparty must be voted out and consigned to the dustbin of history.
Nicholas Taylor
2026-01-03 13:25:46
Many other councils across Essex have held public meetings, have involved Parish Councils and held consultation exercises with their residents. Here in Harlow, the Council has failed to do any of these and now seems unwilling to take any public steps to state their position. At EFDC all councillors were asked for their opinion, just 20 out of 54 replied, most if not all the Conservative councillors failed to do so. Voteforme, there are of course dozens of independent councillors across the county. We in the Harlow Residents Alliance will also provide an alternative to the main political Parties wedded to Westminster which includes the "Local" Conservatives who are of course just local in name. Their Leader at ECC was at the heart of postponing elections last May and is the champion of the change to Unitary Authorities. Nicholas Taylor, Leader of the Harlow Residents Alliance
Val
2026-01-03 13:48:36
We only had all- out elections in May 2024 when all 33 Harlow councillors were elected. Had Harlow Labour not blocked the sensible motion to switch to 4 year cycles to bring Harlow into line with the majority of Rnglish councils and not ignored the public consultation whereby 90% of respondents supported 4 year cycles, then we would not be having elections until 2028. This rushed local government reorganisation and the entire debacle lays firmly at the door of this Labour government and Harlow Labour. They need to assume responsibility for what will be a huge waste of public money.
peter henegan
2026-01-03 14:22:59
Val, are you correct? I believe that in 2024 all councillors were voted in with the intention that from 2025 onwards only one seat would be up for grabs each year (the 25 elections did, of course, not happen). Are you suggesting that if we had 4 yearly election cycles there would be no interim elections?
voteforme
2026-01-03 14:28:54
Nicholas, I am well aware of Harlow Residents Alliance hence my reference to "National parties". I would love to see representation from a truly local party.
Brian
2026-01-03 14:44:15
The uni party is finished good riddance.
Val
2026-01-03 16:12:50
Peter Henegan, around 70% of English councils operate on 4 yearly elections (similar to our national elections). Harlow is in the minority that have elections by thirds, which both unnecessarily expensive and makes for poorer administration. Just think, in Harlow, we could have three different administrations in any 4 year period. Such instability makes it impossible to have longer term strategies. Had Harlow Labour not blocked the proposal to switch to 4 years, then the next elections would have been in 2028. Therefore, if these redundant elections to a moribund authority go ahead in May, Labour will certainly become turkeys voting an early Christmas as they are very likely to lose all the wards they are defending. Just a huge waste of resources and taxpayer money.
Reg
2026-01-03 17:30:05
My prediction for when Reform win local and then national elections. Some supporters will realise they didn’t vote for change just more of the same, potentially worse politics. And still blame legacy parties for it.
Seamus
2026-01-03 17:53:57
Last year they set a precedent in that they told the public "you are not important and democratic votes will only happen when we feel like it benefits us. So begone with your claims of democracy and be quiet until we feel we can win the next elections". The U.K. has become a banana republic where democracy is optional for those in charge.
Nicholas Taylor
2026-01-03 19:33:02
Val, what price democracy? Are those authorities that run on a four year voting cycle any better administered than those that don't? Were residents in these other areas consulted before changes were made? Just to remind readers that when ECC did put out a survey about creating Unitary Authorities, about two thirds of those who participated said that such changes would be to the detriment of services and the loss of community identity. Despite this the County went ahead and although thousands signed a petition against postponement, they went ahead and elections did not take place last May. Leaving the same councillors in control for four years is like handing the turkeys over to the foxes before Christmas. Holding elections is just a very small part of the overall work done by a council on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis, cancelling them is just a political move to keep people in office for a year longer. Voteforme .... thanks!
Val
2026-01-03 20:47:15
Having elections every 4 years is what 70% of local authorities do as does our national elections. The system of thirds is a nonsense and is not more democratic, just more wasteful of public funds and leads to more short-term politically driven tactics. Let's not delude ourselves, Labour / both nationally and locally is entirely responsible for this debacle. Furthermore, this Labour government has been responsible for the greatest assault on our rights and liberties: • cancellation of elections • serious curtailment of jury trial • introduction of Soviet style ID cards Is it not shameful that both Labour figures, Chris Vince MP and local Labour leader, James Griggs have been silent on these fundamental matters? Their silence cannot conceal their complicity in the authoritarian direction of this Starmer regime.
David Forman
2026-01-04 00:44:00
I agree with Nicholas Taylor about having the elections. As Val says, I would say Labour restricting jury trial is a move that is shameful for three reasons: (1) David Lammy says his proposals comply with retired judge Sir Brian Leveson's recommendations to reform the criminal courts, but do not (trials producing sentences of less than three years were to be conducted by judge and two magistrates but magistrates now jettisoned by Lammy, plus Leveson's firm view that magistrates sentencing powers be limited to 12 months now increased by Lammy to 18 months); (2) The emphasis on delays to justice repeated by Chris Vince overlook Lammy saying these changes were permanent three times in the House of Commons on December 2nd; (3) David Lammy extolled the virtues of jury trial in his own Lammy Review in September 2017, which he said produced fairer outcomes overall, but especially for women and ethnic minorities. See Lammy say his changes are permanent at https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-12-02/debates/35A0DBE7-1ABC-44B5-A3EA-0B3BA8C2E488/CriminalCourtReform#contribution-8B679CD9-A769-4951-84FA-272B83E7E3C1
David Forman
2026-01-04 01:17:49
I forgot to say the "justice delayed" argument that sees victims wait years for cases to come to court and witnesses memory fading might hold water if the judge only Crown Court changes were temporary - but they are permanent - and that barristers argue Lammy's changes will do little to cure the backlog. The new Crown Court Bench Division recommendation by Leveson for a judge and two magistrates is based on two factors: (1) an appeal from the magistrates court in the existing Crown Court is heard by a judge and two magistrates; (2) Leveson argued for the two magistrates to "ensure that this branch of the Crown Court retains community participation." See paragraph 32 on page 247 of Leveson's review at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/686be85d81dd8f70f5de3c1f/35.49_MOJ_Ind_Review_Criminal_Courts_v8b_FINAL_WEB.pdf
Deborah Wheatley
2026-01-04 19:57:25
Absolute cowards not letting us vote. We have a right to a vote 😡
Carolyn
2026-01-05 06:50:30
This assault on our rights by the Starmer government and the shameful silence of Chris Vince MP and local Labour leader, James Griggs is worthy of the deposed Venezuelan dictator Maduro.
Mark R E Gough
2026-01-07 22:53:47
We at Reform UK Harlow say that both District Council and the delayed County Council Elections should go ahead on May 7th. Elections by thirds keep the administration party focused on delivery for the people they represent, and allow the Electorate to judge them on a yearly basis, and allow the administration to state their case for remaining in power. Elections every four years make finding candidates for all wards in those elections difficult for smaller parties, and therefore reduce democracy. Finding 33 candidates being harder than finding 11 every year! Mark Gough - Campaign Manager - Reform UK Harlow Branch.
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