Tories cry foul as plans to merge councils may stall local elections

Local elections in parts of England are likely to be delayed next year as a result of the government's plans to scrap district councils, officials have indicated.

- Kiran Stacey

Angela Rayner, the communities secretary, unveiled plans for a sweeping overhaul of local government yesterday as part of what ministers say is the biggest devolution of political power this century.

As part of Rayner's devolution white paper, every area governed by two-tier county and district councils will be asked to submit plans for mergers to create larger unitary authorities with about 500,000 people in each.

Ministers say such a change will help empower local authorities, but it is also likely to mean elections in some areas will have to be delayed, triggering anger from the Conservatives and Reform UK, which were hoping to make gains in those places.

Jim McMahon, the local government minister, said yesterday the government "may look at postponing" some local elections next year, but added: "It wouldn't be for longer than a couple of months, a year."