Newslinks for Tuesday 17th February 2026
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
Under pressure Starmer U-turns again. Reform celebrate and Badenoch brands Labour a ‘zombie government’
“Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped plans to delay elections for 4.5 million voters after being warned by government lawyers that the move could be ruled illegal. The prime minister was forced into his 14th U-turn after ditching the policy in the face of a legal challenge from Reform UK. The move increases the political jeopardy for Starmer before May’s elections amid dire poll ratings and continued threats to his leadership. Of the 30 areas where elections had been due to be suspended, 21 are controlled by Labour. Several of these are Reform targets, including Thurrock and Basildon councils in Essex… Labour had announced plans to cancel elections in 30 areas this year to free “capacity” for an overhaul of English council structures over the next three years. Ministers argued that the delays were necessary so councils could save money and officials’ time on holding elections, focusing instead on reorganisation. But the government dropped the plan after receiving ‘new legal advice’” – The Times
Starmer U-turns on cancelled elections – Daily Telegraph
Starmer cancels plans to delay 30 local council elections in England – FT
Humiliated Starmer is forced to face the wrath of voters: In 14th major U-turn of his torrid time in office, PM has to abandon plans to cancel local elections for millions… so will you get to vote on his performance on May 7? – Daily Mail
Labour now faces local election wipeout. This data proves it – Daily Telegraph
Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn – Guardian
When will Starmer’s U-turns end? Council election about-face farce is number 14 for the PM in just 19 months in office – Daily Mail
The councils thrown into needless chaos by Starmer’s U-turn – Daily Telegraph
Why has government reversed its decision to postpone 30 local polls across England? – Guardian
By-election disaster could trigger Starmer resignation, insiders believe – The i
Starmer U-turns on cancelled local elections: 5 things you need to know – Daily Express
Keir flip farce. Starmer performs 15th chaotic U-turn in Downing Street climbdown over scrapped council election delay – The Sun
Keir Starmer’s U-turns so far — from welfare to winter fuel – The Times
Why Starmer’s latest U-turn over local elections could be a gift for Reform – Guardian
Farage hails ‘win for democracy’ after PM forced into another U-turn as local elections back on. – The Sun
English councils face ‘race against time’ to arrange elections, leaders say – Guardian
‘It’s game over’: Why Starmer’s fightback looks doomed to fail – The i
Editorial
A forced but welcome U-turn on cancelling elections – Daily Telegraph
Comment
Starmer’s local …
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
Under pressure Starmer U-turns again. Reform celebrate and Badenoch brands Labour a ‘zombie government’
“Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped plans to delay elections for 4.5 million voters after being warned by government lawyers that the move could be ruled illegal. The prime minister was forced into his 14th U-turn after ditching the policy in the face of a legal challenge from Reform UK. The move increases the political jeopardy for Starmer before May’s elections amid dire poll ratings and continued threats to his leadership. Of the 30 areas where elections had been due to be suspended, 21 are controlled by Labour. Several of these are Reform targets, including Thurrock and Basildon councils in Essex… Labour had announced plans to cancel elections in 30 areas this year to free “capacity” for an overhaul of English council structures over the next three years. Ministers argued that the delays were necessary so councils could save money and officials’ time on holding elections, focusing instead on reorganisation. But the government dropped the plan after receiving ‘new legal advice’” – The Times
Starmer U-turns on cancelled elections – Daily Telegraph
Starmer cancels plans to delay 30 local council elections in England – FT
Humiliated Starmer is forced to face the wrath of voters: In 14th major U-turn of his torrid time in office, PM has to abandon plans to cancel local elections for millions… so will you get to vote on his performance on May 7? – Daily Mail
Labour now faces local election wipeout. This data proves it – Daily Telegraph
Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn – Guardian
When will Starmer’s U-turns end? Council election about-face farce is number 14 for the PM in just 19 months in office – Daily Mail
The councils thrown into needless chaos by Starmer’s U-turn – Daily Telegraph
Why has government reversed its decision to postpone 30 local polls across England? – Guardian
By-election disaster could trigger Starmer resignation, insiders believe – The i
Starmer U-turns on cancelled local elections: 5 things you need to know – Daily Express
Keir flip farce. Starmer performs 15th chaotic U-turn in Downing Street climbdown over scrapped council election delay – The Sun
Keir Starmer’s U-turns so far — from welfare to winter fuel – The Times
Why Starmer’s latest U-turn over local elections could be a gift for Reform – Guardian
Farage hails ‘win for democracy’ after PM forced into another U-turn as local elections back on. – The Sun
English councils face ‘race against time’ to arrange elections, leaders say – Guardian
‘It’s game over’: Why Starmer’s fightback looks doomed to fail – The i
Editorial
A forced but welcome U-turn on cancelling elections – Daily Telegraph
Comment
Starmer’s local …
Newslinks for Tuesday 17th February 2026
Transparency shouldn't be controversial.
Under pressure Starmer U-turns again. Reform celebrate and Badenoch brands Labour a ‘zombie government’
“Sir Keir Starmer has scrapped plans to delay elections for 4.5 million voters after being warned by government lawyers that the move could be ruled illegal. The prime minister was forced into his 14th U-turn after ditching the policy in the face of a legal challenge from Reform UK. The move increases the political jeopardy for Starmer before May’s elections amid dire poll ratings and continued threats to his leadership. Of the 30 areas where elections had been due to be suspended, 21 are controlled by Labour. Several of these are Reform targets, including Thurrock and Basildon councils in Essex… Labour had announced plans to cancel elections in 30 areas this year to free “capacity” for an overhaul of English council structures over the next three years. Ministers argued that the delays were necessary so councils could save money and officials’ time on holding elections, focusing instead on reorganisation. But the government dropped the plan after receiving ‘new legal advice’” – The Times
Starmer U-turns on cancelled elections – Daily Telegraph
Starmer cancels plans to delay 30 local council elections in England – FT
Humiliated Starmer is forced to face the wrath of voters: In 14th major U-turn of his torrid time in office, PM has to abandon plans to cancel local elections for millions… so will you get to vote on his performance on May 7? – Daily Mail
Labour now faces local election wipeout. This data proves it – Daily Telegraph
Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn – Guardian
When will Starmer’s U-turns end? Council election about-face farce is number 14 for the PM in just 19 months in office – Daily Mail
The councils thrown into needless chaos by Starmer’s U-turn – Daily Telegraph
Why has government reversed its decision to postpone 30 local polls across England? – Guardian
By-election disaster could trigger Starmer resignation, insiders believe – The i
Starmer U-turns on cancelled local elections: 5 things you need to know – Daily Express
Keir flip farce. Starmer performs 15th chaotic U-turn in Downing Street climbdown over scrapped council election delay – The Sun
Keir Starmer’s U-turns so far — from welfare to winter fuel – The Times
Why Starmer’s latest U-turn over local elections could be a gift for Reform – Guardian
Farage hails ‘win for democracy’ after PM forced into another U-turn as local elections back on. – The Sun
English councils face ‘race against time’ to arrange elections, leaders say – Guardian
‘It’s game over’: Why Starmer’s fightback looks doomed to fail – The i
Editorial
A forced but welcome U-turn on cancelling elections – Daily Telegraph
Comment
Starmer’s local …
