Call for Norfolk county councillors to step down is rejected

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner announced this week that May's elections - which would have been the first at County Hall in four years - will not take place.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner (Image: House of Commons)

That is so the authority can focus on devolution, local government reorganisation and structures needed for the new Norfolk and Suffolk mayor.

Norfolk County Council's May elections have been postponed (Image: Mike Page) But furious Reform UK members, including Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe, said the public is being "stripped of their democratic vote".

They are calling for all 84 councillors to trigger by-elections by standing down in May.

Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Denise Bradley)

But Kay Mason Billig, leader of the Conservative-run council, said:  "We will be setting up a whole new administration and the government made clear we would not have the capacity to do that if we were also having county council elections.

"We didn't really have a lot of choice. If we had all out elections and a different administration after the election, would they be as keen on devolution?

"Do they really think the government would want to invest in Norfolk if they thought they would do a u-turn?"

READ MORE: 'Irreversible damage' warning over Norfolk council shake-up

Reform UK's Nick Taylor (Image: Denise Bradley) Nick Taylor, chairman of the Norwich branch of Reform UK, said: "The electorate across the county now face a democracy deficit for two or even three years.

"It is a fantasy to think we will have local elections in 2026, despite claims otherwise.

"We call on any county councillors who have a shred of honour and who believe in democracy to stand down at the end of their term in May."

North Norfolk MP Steffan Aquarone (Image: Steffan Aquarone)

Steffan Aquarone, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk and a county councillor, said: "Cancelling elections is extremely bad for public trust and should only be done when there is a compelling reason and clear plans for when they will be held instead.

"I fear these plans do not exist and I'm concerned it will be at least two years before people get to have their say about who will actually be running local services."

Paul Neale, Green county councillor (Image: Paul Neale) And Green county councillor Paul Neale said: "The Labour government has decided to scrap this year’s elections, which looks cynical when they are low in the polls."