English councils face ‘unnecessary race against time’ to organise elections, leaders say

Council leaders in England are facing an "unnecessary race against time" to organize elections after the government dropped plans to delay 30 council elections. The decision was made despite a legal challenge from Reform UK, which argued it was undemocratic. Local authorities will now have just over 11 weeks to prepare for elections on May 7. Council leaders are expressing frustration and uncertainty about the sudden change, with some citing "whiplash" due to frequent government decisions. The government's decision has been criticized by local government organizations, who argue it undermines faith in local democracy. The move also raises questions about the wider plans for local government reorganization, including proposals to merge or subsume councils.

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