Starmer abandons plans to cancel local elections

I think some of the background isn’t being discussed on this thread. The original proposals were for nine councils which are being merged in April 2026 to have their elections postponed, specifically because it meant they would otherwise be running two elections in one year. That proposal had been through both parliament and the Lords early least year, and I believe was a sensible proposal.

A lot of outrage on here from those who are probably Reform voters.

Farage brought this about and people need to be reminded that Reform are taking tens of thousands of pounds from Russia to spread disinformation.
We are in danger from Russia more than ever now and any party taking money and working for them is not working in the interests of the British people.

Merged in 2027 …. If merged in 2026, there wouldn’t be an issue. Casdon

Sorry ronib, getting my years muddled up, but it was debated in March 2025 in the Lords, and the elections were originally scheduled for 2026, so it is a year until the councils merge, so my point stands.

Iam64

theworriedwell

nanna8

Don’t say anything against Saint Keir, you will get condemned on here. Seriously, the people on gransnet are about the only ones who like him. Dreadful PM. He should be the foreign minister, shouldn’t he ? Much more his sort of thing , I think he would do ok at that.

Are you joking? If you haven't noticed all the anti posts I think you need new glasses.

And- listen to any answers, any questions, question time or phone ins and you’ll find comments on gransnet reflected. Some anti Labour/starmer, some reminding of the mess they inherited, need for stability and good things the govt is doing

Polarised simplistic shouting butters bo parsnipsb

There are always good bits and bad.

But this 14 U turns thing, is hardly stable.

I keep thinking about all the U turns to do with the Budget.
Businesses, and to a certain extent private people, didnt know if they were coming or going.

And now we have illegality[I will wait to see what happened there] before it was overturned[by Reform of all Parties].
Illegality on democracy of all things.
That which is often talked about to do with the US.

It is all a shocking mess.

AGAA4

A lot of outrage on here from those who are probably Reform voters.

Farage brought this about and people need to be reminded that Reform are taking tens of thousands of pounds from Russia to spread disinformation.
We are in danger from Russia more than ever now and any party taking money and working for them is not working in the interests of the British people.

We really are living in strange times.
The Epstein files and the response of the Potus should encourage us to accept its entirely possible that Farage and his merry band are focussed on destabilising our country.
Brexit Ukop 🙈

It wont matter which way it is all spinned,
people told to look "over there aand not here"
some other party/person did so and so
things are not all bad
etc etc

AGAA4

A lot of outrage on here from those who are probably Reform voters.

Farage brought this about and people need to be reminded that Reform are taking tens of thousands of pounds from Russia to spread disinformation.
We are in danger from Russia more than ever now and any party taking money and working for them is not working in the interests of the British people.

A lot of guesswork from you as you have no idea who will vote Reform in any elections.
People didn’t like Starmer trying to stop local elections it’s a matter of democracy.

Oh I forgot, Reform did..
Farage is bad.
Farage is ill
Farage is..

The US is worse..
things are worse in other Countries..
look at the world news.
Everyone has forgotten Ukraine..[which they do a lot].

A lot of outrage on here from those who are probably Reform voters.
Certainly not a Reform voter here, let's be very clear on that.
Certainly not someone who doesn't listen or do research when things are mentioned here either.

On last election day, I so very nearly voted Labour (for the first time), having listened to many discussions. I'm so very glad that at the last minute I didn't. (Mainly because of one overriding change that has cost me as an individual dearly. But that's my problem).

My outrage is that the man in charge thinks he can do what he likes, as on this occasion, without repercussions.
It's a shame there's no PM questions this week! Would have been interesting watching.

Of course people were denied, they conveniently used the reorganisation excuse but what it boils down to is that they were petrified of what the results would be and were prepared to sacrifice democracy and deny people's legal vote. It's so obvious but not to anyone who doesn't want to see it.

AGAA4

A lot of outrage on here from those who are probably Reform voters.

Farage brought this about and people need to be reminded that Reform are taking tens of thousands of pounds from Russia to spread disinformation.
We are in danger from Russia more than ever now and any party taking money and working for them is not working in the interests of the British people.

More likely the USA than Russia. Get a grip.

Its not guesswork re Russian bribes and Reform:

Reform activists have taken money in terms of Russian bribes

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been sentenced to 10 and a half years after he admitted accepting tens of thousands of pounds in cash to make pro-Russian statements to the media and European Parliament

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Nathan Gill had accepted money in "exchange for the improper execution of your public duties".

Gill was the Reform Welsh leader until the Autumn 2025

Sky news

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJzz_jLTpBs

Mollygo

^before anybody comes back with comments about U turns Boris Johnson made over 30 U turns between 2019 and 2022^
Is it a competition then?
I thought KS said it would be different. So if he makes fewer U-turns, that will be true.

Of course it’s not a competition, I am just sick of the U turn discussion as if no other government has ever made a U turn.

Marg75

Of course people were denied, they conveniently used the reorganisation excuse but what it boils down to is that they were petrified of what the results would be and were prepared to sacrifice democracy and deny people's legal vote. It's so obvious but not to anyone who doesn't want to see it.

This is the crux of the matter.

Labour are terrified of a Reform success in local elections, which the taxpayer will now have to subsidise through Lab. having to pay Reforms fees.

You need to giv

Oops. You need to give people reasons to vote Labour. Saying but reform are worse doesn't work.

Exactly, Oreo

I'm quite happy to say I won't be voting Reform.

However, what Keir tried to do was so wrong. Illegal in fact.

AGAA4

I think some people are revelling in this sixandahalf. Do they care so little for this country.

Yes, unlike labour AGAA4

I'm not a labour voter MT62

Jane43

Mollygo

before anybody comes back with comments about U turns Boris Johnson made over 30 U turns between 2019 and 2022
Is it a competition then?
I thought KS said it would be different. So if he makes fewer U-turns, that will be true.

Of course it’s not a competition, I am just sick of the U turn discussion as if no other government has ever made a U turn.

Labour are the government of the day, of course every move will be scrutinised, and rightly so.

Just because other parties have made U turns doesn’t mean that the U turns of the current Labour government cannot be discussed.

Saying but, but, the others done this is just playground politics.

*nanna8" the US are not as yet a hostile country. Russia is. I have a very good grip btw.

I'm rather dismayed (and no not a Reform voter, ever) that there are posters who think the illegal postponement of the elections in some areas is perfectly OK because it would save money. What other illegal acts are you happy to have because the money saved could be spent on other things? I'm not affected by the u-turn but think the law is the law and shouldn't be open to being broken just because it suits moneysaving. I wish more thought had been applied in the first place, as now there is unnecessary pressure being applied to get ready in those affected areas.

You are right AGAA4. The people who say that we should be ignoring Epstein because it has nothing to do with the UK apart from Andrew and Mandelson, that it is unconnected with Russian influence, that Reform is nothing to do with it, and the aim was not aimed at destabilising world economies, those who think it was ‘just’ about sex have their heads in buckets. It will be a very rude awakening.

Rosie51

I'm rather dismayed (and no not a Reform voter, ever) that there are posters who think the illegal postponement of the elections in some areas is perfectly OK because it would save money. What other illegal acts are you happy to have because the money saved could be spent on other things? I'm not affected by the u-turn but think the law is the law and shouldn't be open to being broken just because it suits moneysaving. I wish more thought had been applied in the first place, as now there is unnecessary pressure being applied to get ready in those affected areas.

That is one of the things that has surprised me on this forum, since I have been on it.

Illegality is not seen as that big a deal.
Whoever does it.

Probably I should not have been surprised.