Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was less than impressed with the decision.
Nigel Farage was furious during his show on GB News (Image: X / GB News )
Nigel Farage launched a fiery rant after the Labour Government cancelled four mayoral elections, calling the decision “outrageous” and “monstrous.” Elections for newly created mayors in Norfolk and Suffolk, Hampshire and the Solent, Essex and Sussex, and Brighton were due to take place next May. However, they have now been delayed until May 2028. The Labour Government has argued it requires additional time to reorganise local Government. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was less than impressed with the move, and he fumed on his GB News show: “I do my very best to make sure this show is as objective as possible. We have guests with all opinions, but I’m never afraid to give my view. Tonight’s first debate, I must admit, I have a very strong vested interest in, and that is the mayoral contests that were due to take place.
“There was going to be a mayoral contest in Suffolk and Norfolk combined, in greater Essex, in Sussex and Brighton…and in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Reform did announce their candidates just two days ago, and we fancied our chances in all of them.”
He added: “Now look, I am not happy about this at all. I think it’s outrageous. I think it’s monstrous.
“And as I was told by a very senior figure of an Essex council this morning, ‘We are ready for these elections, we have prepared for these elections and across the county and or greater Essex, we’ve already spent many millions of pounds’.
“Here’s the odd thing, though, these counties will now be asked to vote in local elections in 2026, 2027 and 2028 and I just think the voters are going to get very weary and very confused.
“So my argument is, have a mayor in place. If that’s what we have to do, have a mayor in place to explain to people what the process is.”
Reform UK Councillor Jaymey McIvor also reacted to the news yesterday on GB News and hit out at Keir Starmer‘s “unbelievable” move.
He told the host, Patrick Christys: “My immediate reaction is I think it’s unbelievable. Yesterday, Reform UK announced their Essex mayoral candidate, and the following day, they are going to cancel them.”
He added: “Whatever you try and do, you cannot stop the British people from wanting change. They want change, they want Labour gone, they will never trust the Conservative Party again.”
