30 English councils get May 2026 elections after U‑turn
Ministers have reversed plans to delay 30 sets of local elections. The department confirmed on 16 February that all affected polls will now take place on Thursday 7 May 2026, citing fresh legal advice. If you live in one of these areas, you’ll be voting this spring. (gov.uk)
What changed, in plain English: the government had made regulations to push some 2026 local elections back by a year. Those postponements are now being cancelled through a revocation order, restoring the normal timetable. In other words, the earlier delay decision is withdrawn and the May 2026 elections are reinstated. (statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)
Which councils are back on for May? The government’s January announcement named 29 councils for postponement; those are now returning to the May 2026 schedule. They are Adur, Basildon, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Cannock Chase, Cheltenham, Chorley, the City of Lincoln, Crawley, East Sussex, Exeter, Harlow, Hastings, Hyndburn, Ipswich, Norfolk, Norwich, Peterborough, Preston, Redditch, Rugby, Stevenage, Suffolk, Tamworth, Thurrock, Welwyn Hatfield, West Lancashire, West Sussex and Worthing. (gov.uk)
A thirtieth area-Pendle-was added to the postponed list on 29 January after further representations from the council. With the government’s U‑turn, Pendle’s elections are also due in May 2026. (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)
Why did the plan change? After signalling delays to free up capacity for local government reorganisation, ministers faced a judicial review. Following legal advice, they withdrew the decision and moved to revoke the postponement regulations. Independent explainers at the Institute for Government also record the 16 February reversal. (theguardian.com)
Key dates you need to know for 2026: the deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April; the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April; the deadline to apply for a proxy vote and for free voter ID (a Voter Authority Certificate) is 5pm on Tuesday 28 April. Polling day is Thursday 7 May, 7am–10pm. (electoralcommission.org.uk)
For candidates and campaign teams, returning officers will publish local nomination timetables and guidance. Do check your council’s elections page early, as some administrative steps-like booking venues and staffing polling stations-are now on tighter turnarounds after the policy reversal, as council leaders have warned. (theguardian.com)
What this means for reorganisation plans: ministers still intend to progress structural changes, with up to £63 million in extra ‘capacity’ funding for councils in the reorganisation areas. Separate ‘shadow’ contests are planned in 2026 ahead of new unitary authorities launching in Surrey in 2027, according to the Institute for Government. (gov.uk)
Media literacy check: much of this has happened via statutory instruments (SIs). The 2026 postponement order was made using the ‘negative’ procedure-law without a prior vote unless either House objects. That is why a new revocation instrument is the cleanest way to restore the May 2026 timetable. (statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk)
If you’re unsure whether this affects you, enter your postcode on the Electoral Commission’s site and your council’s elections page. Then set your own deadlines: register by 20 April, line up any postal or proxy vote by the April cut‑offs, and bring accepted photo ID on 7 May-or apply for free voter ID before 5pm on 28 April. (electoralcommission.org.uk)