Newslinks for Friday 30th January 2026
Confidence requires clarity.
Revolt over cancelled elections
“Councillors have launched a revolt after Labour cancelled local elections for 4.6 million people. Norfolk county council – one of Britain’s biggest – has been hit by resignations in protest over the election delays, which have been described as a “democratic outrage”. Meanwhile, the leader of Welwyn Hatfield council stood down after a backlash over postponed voting drove its ruling coalition to the brink of collapse. Essex – another major council that was thought to have been considering delaying its May elections – announced on Thursday that it would hold a vote after all. The Telegraph understands that a string of councillors across Britain are also considering whether to stand down, potentially forcing local authorities to hold dozens of by-elections. Earlier this month, Labour announced plans to deny millions of people the vote, leaving some having no say over who controls their local services and council tax for up to seven years. Elections have been cancelled at 30 councils over claims that a looming reorganisation of local government makes holding ballots expensive, complicated and unnecessary. The Telegraph has launched a Campaign for Democracy, calling for ministers to be stripped of their legal powers to cancel local elections without a full vote in Parliament.” Critics said the latest council resignations showed Labour’s plans were “descending into farce”. This week, four councillors in Tory-run Norfolk resigned in protest. Edward Connolly, a Conservative councillor, Emma Corlett and Maxine Webb, Independent Progressive Group councillors, and independent councillor Simon Ring announced they would step down to give residents their right to vote.” – Daily Telegraph
Thirty English councils to delay elections, minister confirms – BBC News
Council ‘can’t afford’ elections… but spends £30k on migrants’ mental health – Daily Telegraph
Unions will tell Keir Starmer to resign if local elections go badly – The Times
Comment:
The split on the Left is going to hand victory to Reform in the Manchester by-election – Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday:
Elliot Keck: All out council elections offer better value than electing in thirds
Capitulation in Beijing
“Keir Starmer will leave China virtually empty- handed, despite his craven kowtowing, critics said last night. The Prime Minister comes away with only warm words and marginal deals, having flown 5,000 miles with the promise of ‘history-making’ talks with president Xi Jinping. Having hyped up the benefits the trip to Beijing would bring for Britain before he left, Sir Keir returns with only a halving of tariffs on whisky exports, plus the end of visas for tourists and businesses on short visits to China. In spite of the friendly talk between the pair on …
Confidence requires clarity.
Revolt over cancelled elections
“Councillors have launched a revolt after Labour cancelled local elections for 4.6 million people. Norfolk county council – one of Britain’s biggest – has been hit by resignations in protest over the election delays, which have been described as a “democratic outrage”. Meanwhile, the leader of Welwyn Hatfield council stood down after a backlash over postponed voting drove its ruling coalition to the brink of collapse. Essex – another major council that was thought to have been considering delaying its May elections – announced on Thursday that it would hold a vote after all. The Telegraph understands that a string of councillors across Britain are also considering whether to stand down, potentially forcing local authorities to hold dozens of by-elections. Earlier this month, Labour announced plans to deny millions of people the vote, leaving some having no say over who controls their local services and council tax for up to seven years. Elections have been cancelled at 30 councils over claims that a looming reorganisation of local government makes holding ballots expensive, complicated and unnecessary. The Telegraph has launched a Campaign for Democracy, calling for ministers to be stripped of their legal powers to cancel local elections without a full vote in Parliament.” Critics said the latest council resignations showed Labour’s plans were “descending into farce”. This week, four councillors in Tory-run Norfolk resigned in protest. Edward Connolly, a Conservative councillor, Emma Corlett and Maxine Webb, Independent Progressive Group councillors, and independent councillor Simon Ring announced they would step down to give residents their right to vote.” – Daily Telegraph
Thirty English councils to delay elections, minister confirms – BBC News
Council ‘can’t afford’ elections… but spends £30k on migrants’ mental health – Daily Telegraph
Unions will tell Keir Starmer to resign if local elections go badly – The Times
Comment:
The split on the Left is going to hand victory to Reform in the Manchester by-election – Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday:
Elliot Keck: All out council elections offer better value than electing in thirds
Capitulation in Beijing
“Keir Starmer will leave China virtually empty- handed, despite his craven kowtowing, critics said last night. The Prime Minister comes away with only warm words and marginal deals, having flown 5,000 miles with the promise of ‘history-making’ talks with president Xi Jinping. Having hyped up the benefits the trip to Beijing would bring for Britain before he left, Sir Keir returns with only a halving of tariffs on whisky exports, plus the end of visas for tourists and businesses on short visits to China. In spite of the friendly talk between the pair on …
Newslinks for Friday 30th January 2026
Confidence requires clarity.
Revolt over cancelled elections
“Councillors have launched a revolt after Labour cancelled local elections for 4.6 million people. Norfolk county council – one of Britain’s biggest – has been hit by resignations in protest over the election delays, which have been described as a “democratic outrage”. Meanwhile, the leader of Welwyn Hatfield council stood down after a backlash over postponed voting drove its ruling coalition to the brink of collapse. Essex – another major council that was thought to have been considering delaying its May elections – announced on Thursday that it would hold a vote after all. The Telegraph understands that a string of councillors across Britain are also considering whether to stand down, potentially forcing local authorities to hold dozens of by-elections. Earlier this month, Labour announced plans to deny millions of people the vote, leaving some having no say over who controls their local services and council tax for up to seven years. Elections have been cancelled at 30 councils over claims that a looming reorganisation of local government makes holding ballots expensive, complicated and unnecessary. The Telegraph has launched a Campaign for Democracy, calling for ministers to be stripped of their legal powers to cancel local elections without a full vote in Parliament.” Critics said the latest council resignations showed Labour’s plans were “descending into farce”. This week, four councillors in Tory-run Norfolk resigned in protest. Edward Connolly, a Conservative councillor, Emma Corlett and Maxine Webb, Independent Progressive Group councillors, and independent councillor Simon Ring announced they would step down to give residents their right to vote.” – Daily Telegraph
Thirty English councils to delay elections, minister confirms – BBC News
Council ‘can’t afford’ elections… but spends £30k on migrants’ mental health – Daily Telegraph
Unions will tell Keir Starmer to resign if local elections go badly – The Times
Comment:
The split on the Left is going to hand victory to Reform in the Manchester by-election – Tom Harris, Daily Telegraph
> Yesterday:
Elliot Keck: All out council elections offer better value than electing in thirds
Capitulation in Beijing
“Keir Starmer will leave China virtually empty- handed, despite his craven kowtowing, critics said last night. The Prime Minister comes away with only warm words and marginal deals, having flown 5,000 miles with the promise of ‘history-making’ talks with president Xi Jinping. Having hyped up the benefits the trip to Beijing would bring for Britain before he left, Sir Keir returns with only a halving of tariffs on whisky exports, plus the end of visas for tourists and businesses on short visits to China. In spite of the friendly talk between the pair on …
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