Farage Slams Labour’s Mayoral Election Scrap as a “Despot” Move
Nigel Farage has slammed Labour’s shock decision to axe FOUR mayoral elections set for next May. The move targets key battlegrounds including Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk, Hampshire & the Solent, plus Sussex & Brighton. Polls are reportedly postponed by two years, sparking fury across the board.
Labour Blocks Reform UK’s Surging Mayoral Wins
Farage claims Labour is scrapping elections to stop Reform UK’s rising popularity. “For the second year running, this failing Labour Government will cancel elections where they fear Reform will win. These are the actions of despots, not democrats,” he blasted.
Essex is a Reform UK hotbed, where Farage himself scooped two seats last election. Pollsters Nowcast predict Reform UK could storm to 17 of 18 Essex seats next time. The party is also eyeing big gains in Suffolk, Norfolk, Hampshire, and Sussex — locking horns with Lib Dems, Greens, Labour, and Tories.
Tories Accused of Playing Along with the Election Scrap
Farage didn’t spare Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who slammed Labour’s move but was accused of hypocrisy. Badenoch vowed, “Democracy isn’t optional. We will oppose this every step of the way.”
Yet Farage revealed that Tory-run councils helped nudge these cancellations after government urging — calling it a “shameless” stitch-up.
Lib Dems Cry Foul Over “Blatant Stitch-Up”
Liberal Democrat MP Zoe Franklin condemned the cancellations as “a disgrace.” She charged both Labour and the Tories with a “blatant stitch-up” over democracy. “Democracy delayed is democracy denied,” she said, promising a fight to restore voting rights for millions come May.
The Fallout: Who’s Affected?
- Up to 5.4 million voters hit by Labour’s election axe.
- Devolution Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh informed council leaders of the cancellations last night.
- Mayoral elections in Cheshire & Warrington and Cumbria still set for 2027.
- All six county council polls due this May will go ahead as planned.
Reform UK is gearing up for strong showings wherever elections go ahead, especially Essex. Nigel Farage is set to respond fully to the controversy today at 3pm.
