Elections for four newly created mayoralties in England will likely be postponed until 2028, the Local Government Secretary has confirmed amid accusations of an affront to democracy.

The Conservatives, Reform UK, the Liberal Democrats and local figures have accused Labour of “cancelling democracy”.

The inaugural mayoral elections for Sussex and Brighton, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Greater Essex will not take place until 2028, Steve Reed suggested on Thursday, as they need more time to complete their local government reorganisation.

In a written ministerial statement, the Cabinet minister said: “Cheshire and Warrington, and Cumbria have previously requested a delay of their inaugural elections to May 2027, to align with the majority of planned local election

See Full Page