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Local Government: Elections

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 27 January 2026UIN 107939

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make it his policy that the continued calling of local council by-elections will not be affected by the postponement of a council's elections.

Answered by Alison McGovern

Any legislation brought forward to postpone May 2026 council elections for one year will have no effect on the usual process for by-elections. Where there is an existing vacancy that was to be filled at the May 2026 election, any legislation to postpone those elections will also provide for the filling of such a vacancy, as in previous legislation postponing elections.

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