Calls to cancel Lancashire’s 2026 local elections rejected by government
Councils’ requests linked to devolution and reorganisation dismissed in Parliament
A call by the Labour leaderships of Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn Councils for May’s local elections to be scrapped because of Lancashire devolution look set to rejected by the government.
Last month special meetings of both authorities asked the government postpone the polls in their boroughs because of devolution-related local government reorganisation (LGR).
There are among 18 councils nationwide – including Preston and Chorley – to request a delay to their planned May elections due to incomplete reorganisation into eight unitary authorities on the grounds on unnecessary cost and disruption.
But now Devolution Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has said in Parliament the polls for councils in affected areas will go ahead.
She was tackled on the issue in the House of Commons by shadow local government minister David Simmonds.
Ms Fahnbulleh told him: “We have been absolutely consistent that local council elections are happening in 2026.
“We are cracking on with it and getting ready for them.
“I hope the opposition parties are getting ready for them. We will crack on with them.
“We are committed to moving forward with local council elections next year.
“As a responsible government you would expect that if there were extenuating circumstances on the ground, in particular councils, we will have that conversation with them — but we are as up for elections as anyone else.”
Her comments were welcomed by Councillor Stephen Aktkinson, the Reform UK leader of Lancashire County Council, who said: “Despite lobbying to cancel local elections in 2026 from Labour controlled Preston, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Chorley Councils it appears the government is allowing the elections to go ahead.
“This is really welcome.
“Council tax is the largest household bill and there should be no taxation without representation.
“We feel so strongly about this that we passed a notice of motion at our last full council meeting to seek assurance from government that local elections would not be cancelled.
“I think of the suffragettes, our military and those that have made sacrifices for democracy and believe this is the right decision.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Councillor Phil Riley said: “We are aware of the ministerial answer but, given that we have made a formal request to the minister, we will wait until we have a formal reply.”
Hyndburn Council leader Councillor Munsif Dad said: ““The decision to postpone local elections rests with the government.
“In our local government reorganisation submission, we recommended delaying the May 2026 local elections as the most practical approach.
“Holding elections during a major reorganisation would result in short-term appointments, additional taxpayer costs, and increased pressure on council resources at a time when the priority must be a smooth transition.
“Postponement would reduce disruption and support the effective establishment of the shadow authority.
“Whatever decision is made, we remain committed to ensuring continuity of services and a smooth transition for residents.
“We will respect the government’s decision and await their formal response.”
Devolution will see the existing electoral make-up of the county abolished and replaced with larger all-purpose authorities, intended to cover areas of 500,000 people.
Both Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn Councils have backed the creation of a Pennine Lancashire Unitary Authority, which would include Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale, in reports to senior colleagues.