Mayoral candidates across the political spectrum are furious after it emerged No. 10 plans to push back the vote for two years until 2028.

The government is arguing the move is necessary to allow more time for local government reorganisation, which will see the abolition of district and county councils and their replacement by unitary authorities.

But Labour's claims have been dismissed as "spurious" by Reform leaders, who say it is a ploy to prevent its candidate from winning the vote while the party surges in the polls.

Other candidates fear the decision will stifle the region's economy due to the uncertainty it has caused and delay to receiving millions of pounds in funds.

It is likely to mean decisions over major projects like the Western Link, upgrading the rail junction at Ely and improvements to Norwich Airport will be further delayed.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, London (Image: Frank Augstein/PA Wire)

The delay - which also affects mayoral votes in Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Sussex and Brighton - follows a previous decision to delay this year's county council elections until May 2026. Those elections are still due to go ahead.

Nick Taylor, chairman of Reform's Norwich branch, said: "Clearly there is only one reason why mayoral elections will be postponed - it is because all or most of them will be won by Reform UK.

"The idea we need more time for local government reorganisation is completely spurious.

"People need to wake up to the fact that democracy is being eroded and Labour is slowly taking away the democratic fabric of our country."

Reform are currently surging in the polls, with some suggesting 37pc of people in Norfolk would vote for them at the next general election.

The party has won several recent by-elections across the county, including in........

© Eastern Daily Press