This weeks coming and goings as of Monday 11pm

Here’s a summary of this week’s major UK political events that have happened and ones coming up

📌 Summary of This Week’s UK Political Events

Government U-Turn on Council Elections

• The UK government under Keir Starmer dropped its plan to delay local council elections slated for May 2026 following legal advice that postponing them could be unlawful and after a legal challenge by Nigel Farage and Reform UK.

• The reversal is being framed by opponents as a victory for democracy but has sparked controversy over the government’s decision-making and added administrative pressure on councils.

Political Pressure on Starmer’s Leadership

• A political analysis this week highlighted a series of policy U-turns by Starmer’s government across welfare, taxation, pensions, and other key policies, adding ongoing internal and external pressure on his leadership stability.

Council Preparation Chaos

• With the U-turn on election postponement, councils are now facing a tight “race against time” to organise elections by early May, expressing frustration at last-minute disruption and increased workload.

Government Policy Review for Radio Media

• Ministers have launched a review aimed at safeguarding the future of radio broadcasting in the UK — part of broader cultural and media policy considerations.

🗓 Upcoming Political Events to Watch

Local Elections (7 May 2026)

• With the government U-turn, all scheduled local council elections in England, including major areas such as Newcastle and Thurrock, will proceed on 7 May 2026.

Continued Local Government Reorganisation Debates

• The reversal on election delays is expected to feed ongoing debates about local government restructuring, resource allocation, and democratic legitimacy ahead of the elections.

📌 Bullet Points — Key UK Political Facts This Week

• The government abandoned plans to delay 30 local council elections in May 2026.

• Plans were reversed after legal advice that postponement could be unlawful.

• Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, brought the legal challenge prompting the reversal.

• The decision adds pressure on Keir Starmer’s government over leadership and policy U-turns.

• Councils now face compressed timelines to organise elections.

• Ministers launched a review to support UK radio broadcasting’s future.

• All English local elections, including Newcastle City Council and Thurrock Council, will take place on 7 May 2026.

• The debate around local government reorganisation and electoral fairness continues.