Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during an International Men's Day reception at Downing Street in London, Wednesday Nov. 19, 2025.

Labour’s offer for some councils to delay more local elections has sparked concern from the UK’s elections watchdog.

The government might postpone elections for some 63 council areas in May 2026 until the following year as they grapple with Labour’s restructuring plans.

The government is scrapping two-tier authorities and merging them into single unitary councils by 2028.

But some councils say this huge change has left them unable to cope with setting up new voting systems.

So Labour has invited councils to raise capacity concerns, and delay their elections if they want to.

The Electoral Commission’s chief executive, Vijay Rangarajan, expressed his frustration over the prospect of delaying more elections.

He said: “We are disappointed by both the timing and substance of the statement.

“Scheduled elections should as a rule go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances.”

Decisions on postponements will not be taken until mid- January, which is just three months before local elections will go ahead.

Rangarajan said: “This uncertainty is unprecedented and will not help campaigners and administrators who need time to prepare for their important........

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