Allowing dozens to postpone local elections in May is not “denying democracy”, Local Government Secretary Steve Reed has told GB News.
Mr Reed claimed the decision to stop polls going ahead in dozens of local authorities would save tens of millions of pounds that can now be spent on potholes.
More than 20 councils have confirmed they want to delay scheduled elections due to a shake-up by Sir Keir Starmer’s Government.
The proposed changes intend to streamline how local authorities are run, but will leave nearly four million people disenfranchised on May 7.
Three-quarters of the councils that want to postpone elections are Labour-run.
Another seven Labour councils are due to say they want to delay elections by a deadline of midnight tonight.
Three Tory-run councils and one controlled by the Liberal Democrats have also asked for a delay.
Speaking to GB News’ Chopper’s Political Podcast, Mr Reed said: “It’s not denying democracy… It’s speeding up elections to the new councils that will replace the councils that are being that are being closed down. And I think that is sensible.”
Three-quarters of the councils that want to postpone elections are Labour-run
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GB NEWS
The Housing Secretary also conceded that that the reforms will mean that in some instances councillors will not have to face the electorate for seven years.
However, Mr Reed insisted that changes would see savings of more than £35million in savings by shedding councillors and duplicate staff.
He said: “It will get rid of 5,000 duplicate councillors. That alone saves £35million.
“Now, £35 million is a lot of potholes filled.
“It’s a lot of care in the home for older people who really need it.
“It’s activities for young people that will keep them out of crime and lower anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.
“Now, I’ve spoken to a lot of voters over the years. I’ve been in this game a long time as a councillor and now in Parliament as well.
“When you’re knocking on doors, people point to the potholes, they point to the fly tips. They say they want that dealt with.
“If there’s a way that we can get money instead of being spent on duplicate councillors and senior council officials paid over £100,000 in many cases.
“Streamline that and spend the money on the front line. Local people will believe that is beneficial and I want it to happen as fast as possible.”
He added: “It does mean we can fix the problems that people are seeing in their streets faster. And that is why, after all, people take part in these elections.
“It’s the biggest reorganisation of local government in decades.
“One-third of the country have duplicate councils, so two tiers of councils.
“So, two sets of councillors, two sets of chief picks, two sets of finance directors and public money has to go and pay for all of this duplication. So we’re streamlining that with a single tier of councils everywhere.”
Mr Reed is due to come to the House of Commons in the coming days to say how many councils have been allowed to delay their elections.
However, ministers have said they are minded to allow any delays to go ahead.
Mr Reed added that the last Tory Government also postponed elections during a shake-up in Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Somerset, Northamptonshire and Weymouth.
