In December, Sir Ed warned that nearly 10 million people could see their democratic right to vote “ripped away” if some local elections in England were delayed. <\/p>\n
But on Wednesday, a Lib Dem spokesperson said there were “specific circumstances in Cheltenham”.<\/p>\n
“The councillors there have only been in place for 18 months as they had full council elections in 2024.<\/p>\n
“That’s very different to Conservative councils like Essex, Hampshire and Sussex which last had elections in 2021, meaning their councillors will have served seven-year terms before facing re-election,” the spokesperson added. <\/p>\n
In December, Reform UK Head of Policy Zia Yusuf told the BBC his party would try to secure a parliamentary vote to protest against such delays, which he called “extremely dangerous”. <\/p>\n
The Conservatives have accused the government of being “scared of the voters”, but their leader, Kemi Badenoch, has indicated she will not stop Tory-led councils requesting a postponement.<\/p>\n
Last February, the government said nine areas could postpone their 2025 elections until this year to help them prepare for the restructuring. <\/p>\n
Ministers later asked all 63 councils affected by the reorganisation if they required a delay to the elections due this year. <\/p>\n