Norfolk councillor to resign in protest over delayed elections
Simon Ring says stepping down is about principle, not politics
A Norfolk councillor has announced he will quit his seat and seek re-election in protest at the government’s decision to delay local elections.
Simon Ring said he will be stepping down as a Norfolk county councillor in May before standing in a resulting by-election, and has urged his colleagues to do the same.
Mr Ring, an independent politician who represents the Freebridge Lynn ward and also serves as the deputy leader of West Norfolk Council, announced his decision on social media after elections across Norfolk were delayed by the government last week.
In a statement, Mr Ring said he could not justify remaining in office without renewed public consent.
He said: “I was elected to serve the people, not to sit indefinitely in office without their consent.
“With residents once again being refused the opportunity to choose their representatives at the ballot box, I cannot, in all conscience, continue as a county councillor beyond May.
“It is precisely because of that commitment that I believe stepping aside at that point is the only honourable course of action.”
He has vowed to stand again if a by-election follows his resignation, and has called on his fellow councillors to “consider their own consciences and to take the same stand”.
“If we truly believe in local democracy, we must be prepared to defend it – even when doing so comes at personal or political cost,” he said.
“This is about principle, not politics. About integrity, not ideology. And above all, about respecting the right of the people of Norfolk to have their say.”
Mr Ring has already claimed victory in a by-election before, when he won his seat on Norfolk County Council in 2024, collecting 54pc of the vote.
His announcement comes amid mounting backlash following the government’s controversial decision to postpone elections at county level and at Norwich City Council.
Ministers insist the delay will help smooth the path for sweeping local government reforms whereas critics say voters are being denied their democratic right.
All 84 seats on Norfolk County Council had been due to be contested, along with 13 of the 39 seats on Norwich City Council.