Mayoral elections across parts of the South, originally scheduled for next May, are now to be pushed back by two years, in a move that is already prompting political disagreement.
The elections, which would have taken place in areas including Sussex and Brighton, as well as Hampshire and the Solent, will now be held in 2028 instead. While the government has not yet formally confirmed the change, it’s understood that preparations are already underway for a revised timetable.
The delay is believed to be linked to ongoing restructuring plans for local authorities in those regions. Several councils are currently involved in discussions about potential boundary changes, combined authority structures, and new arrangements for devolved powers. Officials argue that holding mayoral elections before those changes are finalised could lead to confusion among voters and potentially require another round of elections shortly afterwards.
However, the proposed delay has quickly drawn criticism from opposition parties, most vocally from Reform UK. The party has accused the government of manipulating the electoral timetable for political advantage. Reform UK claims the decision is a blatant attempt to prevent what it describes as strong gains for its candidates, arguing that momentum in the region is shifting and that delaying the vote risks undermining public confidence in the democratic process.
Labour has rejected those accusations, insisting the move is administrative rather than political, and that ensuring clarity around new local authority arrangements is essential.
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