Harlow Labour react angrily over Tory-run council’s request to cancel May elections
News / Fri 16th Jan 2026 at 12:00pm
THE leader of the Harlow Labour group has reacted angrily to the news that the Conservative-run Harlow Council is requesting that local elections in May be cancelled.
Councillor James Griggs said: “Like many residents, it was from Your Harlow that I first learned of the request by the Conservative administration of Harlow Council for the cancellation of this year’s local elections.
“This decision was taken by the Conservative Council Leader and his administration. In a number of authorities across the county special meetings allowed councillors the opportunity to scrutinise the choice, this did not happen in Harlow.
“Harlow Labour Group made no request of the Government on this matter”.
Val
2026-01-16 12:11:45
This tirade by Griggs and co. is about as believable as the Wizard of Oz. Labour has kept totally below the parapet knowing full well they would annihilated electorally in Harlow. They are now acting completely dishonestly but consistent with their usual appalling standards and third rate pantomime antics.
JB
2026-01-16 12:22:52
How hypocritical of Labour after their colleagues in Basildon and Thurrock have done the exact same thing with the blessing of the government. Now people have other options to choose from Labour and the Tories know they're on borrowed time in Essex and doing anything to hold on to their cartel.
Carolyn
2026-01-16 12:34:28
James Griggs, this whole local government reorganisation and elections debacle is down to your Labour government. Is this going to be another U turn? You are a clown in a fast failing circus.
Tim
2026-01-16 12:59:04
Cllr Griggs, a few questions for you: If Harlow Labour had wanted a meeting, they could’ve called for one. Did you and, if not, why not? • What representations did they make to administration? • If you are so upset, why don’t you and your Labour colleagues all resign your seats and hold by-elections? Surely, that would be the honourable course of action. Well Cllr Griggs, ball in your court. Are you going to set a principled example?
Harlow Labour Are The Worst
2026-01-16 13:09:12
Harlow Labour are one of the worst local parties I have witnessed having lived in various parts of London as well as Harlow. If they really cared about the people of Harlow, they would cease to exist as a local party as they caused years of decline for Harlow.
AB
2026-01-16 14:01:21
No suprise at Demolition Dan's actions. Any politician, except principled ones, would do anything in the flexi-rule book to cling on to their place aboard the gravy train. The county council's tactics are interesting, if the Reformorons get a majority, they've got a just a year or two to make the same mess as their counterparts across the country, and Tory councils will have a good chance of controlling the new unitaries.
Fed up pensioner mark 2
2026-01-16 14:51:06
Labour can go get lost absolute hypocrites,reform are coming for your miserable party griggs.
Seamus
2026-01-16 15:47:53
Faux outrage by councillor Griggs. If anyone should be angry it would be Reform who were widely expected to wipe out most of the councillors. Councillor Griggs peacocking is an embarrasment given he knows labour councillors live to see another year and with the aid of a Labour government. Sure the tory run council will have had losses but make no doubt, the biggest benefactor of this decision, is Harlow labour party.
Marie
2026-01-16 16:01:20
Your taking away the people's democratic right to vote. Who the hell do you lot think you are? What right do you have to make a decision on our rights to vote.. Absolutely disgraceful, both parties are running scared and shitting bricks and so you should be. You have all shown your true colours. You have disregarded our rights and taken it upon yourselves to take away the people's voice. It shows your contempt for democracy and the people your meant to represent. You have all shown yourselves (labour & Tories ) to be completely out of touch with your constituent's. Your paid to represent us and that you certainly do not do. Your parties will be a thing of the past. Corruption and misrepresentation of parties that completely ignore the very people they should be fighting for. Reform is coming and that you cannot stop! Reform is coming !!
Darren
2026-01-16 16:18:49
YAWN * and Darren goes back to sleep dreaming of a time when politicians did represent us and not just themselves *
Mark
2026-01-16 16:57:55
Labour councillors have been given a stay of execution by fluke. The one big advantage of this postponement is that in next year's elections for the new shadow authority, they will be all-outs so instead on only being able to get rid of a third of Labour councillors, we can have a clean sweep and get rid of the whole useless, incompetent bunch. Griggs and his mob will be history.
Reform for Harlow
2026-01-16 17:17:01
Nonsense and crocodile tears by Cllr Griggs. The government invited 63 councils subject reorganisation impacted by plans for unitary authorities by 2028—to seek postponement of the May elections. Of the 27 councils that confirmed postponement requests for May 2026 elections as of January 16, 2026 are controlled as follows: 21 Labour 2 Conservative 2 Lib Dem 1 Green 1 Independent It pretty clear who is running scared of Reform! Don't worry we will wipe you out next year.
Brian Ashton
2026-01-16 19:27:46
Mr Griggs seems to forget one this. Only the government can halt an election. They don't have to give permission. The issue started with them offering the opportunity to postpone them. Turkeys will never vote for Christmas if given the choice. And reform must be worried, the longer there are no elections the longer then have to be well behaved and pretend they aren't going to full donald trump on the country
Ted
2026-01-16 19:45:58
Reform are the new Tory party. Harlow Labour run this town .🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Peter Lamb
2026-01-16 21:04:32
21 other labour controlled councils up and down the country have also called for elections to be cancelled Harlow Labour are clearly just out to "Make some noise" and score political points The whole of Harlow know that if they were running the council they would be calling for elections to be cancelled We see through your nonsense Cllr Griggs
Val
2026-01-16 22:16:08
As Peter Lamb states, Cllr Griggs is kidding nobody with their obvious duplicity and dishonesty. The likely reality is that once the new unitary authorities become operational, Labour will be in the wilderness in the new authority and probably throughout Essex. We could become a Labour Free Zone. Now that is worth having.
Brian
2026-01-17 02:12:45
Ted..you tell me the differance between labour and tory .
Mark
2026-01-17 11:47:23
Griggs and Harlow Labour embarrassing themselves yet again. By the way, where is Chris Vince MP on this issue? Has he gone AWOL again? Harlow Labour, a waste of space!
Ted
2026-01-17 13:38:34
Brian . If your talking about Harlow , Tories are spending money to regenerate the town. Labour done sod all. If your talking about Westminster, Labour have done more Uturns than a driving instructor, because they are out of their depth.
Maureen
2026-01-17 21:09:10
Come Cllr Griggs, be a man and show some balls. If you think this act by the administration is wrong, well why don't you and your fellow Labour councillors all resign and face by-elections? Now that would merit respect and show courage. So are you going to? Of course not because you are just a low life two bit snivelling coward. Shame on you.
Marie
2026-01-19 01:30:39
Labour and the conservatives have shown their true colours by cancelling the local elections YET AGAIN ! They are doing their utmost to take away the people's right to vote. Ignoring the very people they are meant to serve. Why the hell would I vote for those that take away my democratic right and have no thought regarding their constituent's choices. They make excuses left right and centre. The truth is they know they are on a hiding to nothing. I will not back those that take away my democratic right to vote for their own ends. They are running scared only concerned about themselves, losing their positions and the power they hold at the moment. That will all change! They will be kicking the Can down the road sooner than they think !!
Leave a Comment Below:
21 Comments for Harlow Labour react angrily over Tory-run council’s request to cancel May elections: