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Mayors: Elections

Asked by Sir James CleverlyConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 9 June 2026UIN 5338

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the written statement of 4 December 2025, HCWS1128, on Devolution Priority Programme, whether Ministers had discussions with Morgan McSweeney on cancelling 2026 mayoral elections.

Answered by Nesil Caliskan

On 4 December, the Government announced that it will hold inaugural mayoral elections for the four Devolution Priority Programme places that are also undertaking local government reorganisation in May 2028, so that areas can complete the reorganisation process before Mayors take office. These elections were not cancelled: their timing was always subject to the laying of legislation to establish Mayoral Strategic Authorities, which would set the timetable for their elections.

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