Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the written statement of 4 December 2025, HCWS1128, on Devolution Priority Programme, whether the Government consulted the Electoral Commission on the cancellation of the 2026 mayoral elections.

The Electoral Commission was not consulted by the Government regarding the timing of mayoral elections in 2026.

The Commission’s view is that scheduled elections should only be postponed in exceptional circumstances. Voters must have a say on those that represent them at local government, and county council elections are still scheduled to take place in these areas in May 2026.

The Commission will work with the Government to better understand its plans for the polls so that it can support voters, campaigners and administrators to prepare.