Labour Braces for Electoral Devastation in Lancashire Following Government Reversal
Senior Labour figures in Lancashire have expressed grave concerns that their party faces being "annihilated" in upcoming local elections after the government's sudden U-turn on postponing votes. The county now hosts nearly a quarter of England's 30 reinstated council elections following the decision not to delay them.
Unexpected Elections Create Political Turmoil
Seven Lancashire councils—Burnley, Blackburn, Hyndburn, Pendle, Chorley, West Lancashire, and Preston—will now hold elections in May that they hadn't anticipated. This area encompasses nearly 790,000 residents, making Lancashire the county with the highest number of unexpected elections nationwide. The government had initially suggested elections could be postponed pending local government reorganization, but Local Government Secretary Steve Reed scrapped those plans after Reform UK threatened legal action.
"I was surprised by the announcement," one senior councillor revealed. "Previously, Lancashire county council was offered postponement, so this should have been no different. It will now cost taxpayers millions for elections that in most cases will last just one year."
Reform UK's Dominance and Labour's Precarious Position
The political landscape in Lancashire has shifted dramatically since Reform UK took control of the county council last year, winning 53 out of 84 seats and reducing Labour to just four councillors. One Labour insider described the situation as "a proper shit show" and predicted a "Labour wipeout" in East Lancashire, suggesting only divine intervention could prevent a "100% Reform" clean sweep in future unitary authority elections.
Another Labour source expressed concern about losing control of West Lancashire council, where the party currently holds a narrow majority. "Honestly, I think it will fall into no overall control, which doesn't help anybody," they said. "This adds to the complete disillusionment out there at the minute."
Council Leaders React to Sudden Change
While some council leaders expressed frustration with the government's reversal, others have adopted a more pragmatic approach. Chorley council leader Alistair Bradley acknowledged the "high bar that should be placed on postponing local elections" but stated his council would "move forward in preparation for an election in May as directed."
Preston council leader Matthew Brown admitted his administration had anticipated struggling with capacity issues if elections proceeded. "On balance, we thought it was proportionate to suspend elections," he said. However, regarding the unexpected reversal, Brown added, "We actually quite relish the fight now. In terms of taking the fight to Reform UK and others, we're really looking forward to getting stuck in."
Financial and Operational Consequences
Councils now face significant logistical and financial challenges with elections just 11 weeks away. Authorities expect to spend over £100,000 each to organize the votes, but councillors emphasize that the greater impact will be on officer resources and service delivery. Burnley council leader Afrasiab Anwar, who left Labour in November 2023 over the party's Gaza stance, criticized the government's "complete chaos" and demanded publication of the legal advice that prompted the U-turn.
"I cannot identify any compelling justification for maintaining legal privilege in this instance," Anwar stated, "particularly given that it concerns the fundamental right to vote." He predicted Reform UK and independent candidates would unseat Labour councillors in Burnley, attributing this not just to the election U-turn but to broader government failures: "Every promise has been broken."
Broader Political Implications
In Pendle, where Labour currently has no councillors after several resigned over the party's Gaza position, Liberal Democrat leader David Whipp warned that the government's latest climbdown would deepen voters' "disillusionment and disenfranchisement." All seven Lancashire councils facing unexpected elections are scheduled for abolition in 2028 as part of local government reorganization that will combine 14 councils into two to five larger authorities.
Ministers are expected to announce the structure of these new unitary authorities in July, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile political situation. The convergence of unexpected elections, ongoing reorganization, and shifting voter loyalties creates what one observer called "the perfect storm" for political upheaval in Lancashire.
