ESSEX mayoral candidates have slammed the Labour Government for postponing the mayoral elections, calling the decision “a serious disregard for local democracy.” reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Essex was set to get its first mayor, who would have powers over investment and transport, in May next year, but now the election will take place in May 2028, as the Labour Government is “running scared.”
The new Greater Essex mayoral election is part of plans to scrap all local councils and replace them with larger, more powerful authorities that cover larger areas. It’s the biggest change planned for local councils for 50 years.
Louise McKinlay, Conservative candidate for Greater Essex’s first mayor, hit out at the Labour Government, saying it was “running scared.” The county councillor for Brentwood Hutton added: “This is the biggest change to local government since the 1970s, and Labour’s approach has been chaotic from day one: rushed deadlines, last-minute decisions, and now this. Our residents deserve better than political games dressed up as policy. Essex needs a mayor. Essex wants this election. Labour must reverse this decision.”
The Labour Government is arguing that more time is needed to reorganise local government in these areas, but also insists more homes, better high streets and support for business are “all on the way”.
Philip Miller MBE, an Independent candidate, was left “very disappointed” by the decision to postpone the elections. The owner of Adventure Island in Southend added: “If you ask me why he cancelled, I believe it is about the Prime Minister and Chancellor’s own self-preservation. Just imagine the wipe out they would have experienced in May and the effect it would have had on the two of them carrying on in their jobs?”
Plans for the new mayors were announced in February, and many parties have recently announced their candidates. Earlier this year, various councils, including Essex County Council, requested a delay to the planned May elections due to reorganisation plans for councils.
James Allen, Lib Dem candidate, said: “I think there’s a certain amount of anger that the Government feels it can just stop democracy with a whim. I just think it’s a great mess-up. I don’t think the Government understood exactly what it was trying to do and has got itself in a position where too many things have to happen, and I think they are trying to recover a messy situation.”
Green Party candidate Natasha Osben called the situation “political manoeuvring.” Slamming the Government, she added: “Labour are rattled by the strong, principled, community-led politics the Green Party is offering and they know they would struggle to win. But democracy should not be reshaped to protect those in power. Essex communities deserve honesty, stability, and the ability to hold decision-makers to account.”
It comes after a U-turn for county council elections in Essex. Earlier this month, the Essex County Council confirmed its elections are scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
James Miller, Confelicity Party candidate, says it raises questions about the plans to scrap all local councils under local government reorganisation. Mr Miller, who is operations director at Adventure Island in Southend, added: “I’ve a horrible feeling democracy is being undermined because of the way the results look to be heading. The career Labour politicians are cooked if nothing dramatic changes, and in their panic, they have rolled out a lame-duck excuse, scapegoating invisible people who have supposedly been unable to get their work done on time.”
Adam Fox, the Labour and Co-operative candidate, did not comment on the delays but said the creation of an Essex Mayor is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring real power closer to our communities, driving investment, improving transport, housing, and skills.”
He added “I’m delighted the Labour Government have agreed extra investment for Essex over the next 30 years to grow our economy, build skills and improve our communities.”
