Mayoral elections for Sussex could be postponed until 2028 – a move candidates have branded ‘a shambles’ and a ‘cowardly tactic’.

Elections for the newly created position were due to be contested in May next year. But the government said it was considering a pause as it felt Sussex & Brighton – along with Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, and Hampshire & the Solent – need more time to complete their local government reorganisation.

The news did not go down well with the candidates.

Rachel Millward (Green) said: “Oh what chaos! Labour [is] running scared as they know they’d have come last in all four of those areas.

Elections for the newly created position were due to be contested in May next year.

placeholder image — Elections for the newly created position were due to be contested in May next year.

“They’ve clearly no idea how to deliver devolution. Just creating chaos on the regular and putting democracy behind their own electoral chances, which have tanked.”

Ben Dempsey (Liberal Democrat) said the postponement was ‘a complete mess, created by a government that seems to be defined by shambolic indecision’.

He added: “This decision shows the government either isn’t serious about delivering growth and sustainability in Sussex, or is too incompetent to deliver it.

“The only silver lining is that the election in 2028 will take place with a fairer voting system.

“Sussex is a wonderful place with so much untapped potential. We deserve better than this chaos and we will continue to campaign for a brighter future for our county.”

Writing on X, Katy Bourne (Conservative) said: “Democracy is being denied yet again – after the council elections were cancelled by Labour this year.

“I firmly oppose this decision to delay the mayoral elections, especially when candidates have been selected and campaigning is well under way.

“There is no credible justification for this move and the Labour Government must reverse it immediately.

“Abolishing the mayoral elections and the fundamental right to trial by jury in the same week, is a worrying authoritarian trend and another chapter in this government’s book of shambles!”

The belief that the elections were being postponed because of fears Labour would perform poorly was shared by Martin Webb (Independent).

He said: “Cancelling elections because of the likely result is an affront to democracy and an insult to the British public. I’m not very surprised, though – this is a government that’s failing to keep our streets safe, encouraging developers to rip up our countryside and doing nothing to save our high street or protect small businesses – the hard-working people of Sussex will see through this clumsy ruse for the cowardly tactic it really is.”

Paul Lineham (Reform) said: “Residents of Sussex & Brighton have had their votes unjustly taken away because this Labour government is petrified of facing voters at the ballot box.

“As a result of their political gerrymandering, local people will miss out on strong leadership and investment for at least another two years. This is the actions of a dictatorship, not a democracy.”

But the news was welcomed by UNISON.

Maggi Ferncombe, south east regional secretary, said: “The delay will no doubt be disappointing for many people. But it gives an opportunity to get local government reorganisation and devolution right. That has to be a good thing.

“Future arrangements must strengthen accountability and make sure decisions about public services are made as close to communities as possible.

“But reorganisation mustn’t become a distraction from the real challenges facing councils. They include chronic underfunding, rising demand and the mounting pressure on dedicated staff who keep these services running.

“Whatever the final devolution model, it must come with genuine investment and a commitment to high-quality public services across Sussex and Brighton without job losses.”