Local elections are now set to go ahead across Sussex following a government U-turn on plans to delay the polls.
Ministers had previously proposed postponing this year’s local elections because of plans for local government reorganisation. However, that decision has now been reversed, meaning voters will head to the polls as originally expected.
Elections will take place for West Sussex County Council and East Sussex County Council, as well as at Adur, Crawley and Hastings councils. The change comes just weeks before the start of the formal election period, prompting criticism over uncertainty for councils, candidates and voters.
Local authorities have been preparing for the elections to resume, with political parties now moving quickly to confirm candidates and campaign plans. Electoral services teams are also expected to accelerate preparations to ensure polling stations, staffing and voter information are in place on time.
The government’s change of position has drawn strong reaction from local politicians:
The Lib Dem MP for Chichester, Jess Brown-Fuller, said: "It was only a few weeks ago I was standing on County Hall steps, protesting the decision made by West Sussex County Council to cancel their local elections.
"Today, the government performed yet another humiliating U-turn and have decided those elections will go ahead on May 7th.
"Democracy delayed is democracy denied. I am pleased voters will get a chance to have their say across West Sussex!"
The Tories MP for Arundel and South Downs, Andrew Griffith, criticised the handling of the situation, saying:
“This government are an absolute joke.
"The reason the elections were ever in doubt was their top-down, scrapping of our local councils which no one ever asked for.
"And now with just weeks before the start of the election cycle, they have performed a massive U turn admitting that Conservatives and other parties who said that elections should go ahead were right.”
The government has said the decision to reinstate the elections provides clarity for local democracy, after concerns were raised about accountability and representation if polls were delayed.
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