Today, the Administrative Court (Chamberlain J) heard an application by Reform UK which sought to prevent the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government from laying a Statutory Instrument which would postpone certain local elections, currently due to take place in May 2026.
Following submissions on behalf of the parties, Reform UK withdrew their application for interim relief and the matter has been listed for a “rolled up” hearing to take place on 19 and 20 February 2026. In the meantime, the Secretary of State is not prohibited (should he so decide) from laying an order under s.87 of the Local Government Act 2000 which would postpone certain local elections.
Julian Blake and Jack Steele appeared for the Secretary of State
The Administrative Court Order can be found here
