Cheltenham's Election Delay Dilemma: Money or Democracy?

Cheltenham Borough Council, run by the Liberal Democrats, is asking the government to push back local elections by a year. This comes just after their leader, Sir Ed Davey, said delaying elections could break human rights laws. The council thinks holding elections now isn't practical because of money issues and big changes happening in local government. Sir Ed Davey recently told the Equality and Human Rights Commission that canceling elections goes against the Human Rights Act. But Cheltenham's council leader, Rowena Hay, says they have to think carefully about what's best for residents. She points out that elections cost a lot and might not make sense if the new councillors won't serve long terms.Gloucestershire is looking at big changes to how local councils work. There are three plans on the table, and residents will get to share their thoughts soon. The government will decide in the summer. If everything goes as planned, new councillors will be elected in 2027 to help set up the new system. Then, in 2028, full elections will happen for the new councils. Sir Ed Davey has warned that delaying elections could take away the voting rights of nearly 10 million people. But the Liberal Democrats say Cheltenham's situation is different. Their councillors have only been in office for 18 months, unlike some Conservative councils where councillors have served for seven years. Other political parties have different views. Reform UK thinks delaying elections is dangerous, while the Conservatives say the government is afraid of voters. The government has already allowed some areas to postpone their 2025 elections to prepare for restructuring. Recently, the Local Government Minister said many councils have asked for a delay.