THURROCK Council leader Lynn Worrall has responded to today's invitation from the government to ask for the postponement of local elections in May.

The invitation, reported on Thurrock Nub News this afternoon, was made in Westminster by Housing, Communities and Local Government minister Alison McGovern who has set a timeline for a final decision.

Councils, including Thurrock, are being invited to set out their views on the potential postponement of local elections in their areas and their local capacity to deliver local government reorganisation alongside elections. 

A deadline of 15 January has been set for representations and any evidence will be reviewed by government with a final decision to be made by ministers early next year. 

Minister Alison McGovern delivered her message to Thurrock this afternoon.

Ms McGovern said the government had responded to requests by council across the country to postpone the elections because of the challenges they would face preparing for' resource-intensive elections for areas which may shortly be abolished'.

Thurrock Council has not made any previous representation to the government for the 2026 elections to be postponed – and Cllr Worrall says the authority 'continues to work relentlessly towards May's elections' and her councillors 'will be out knocking on doors and talking to residents this weekend, as we do every week'.

Cllr Worrall says: "Firstly I want to be clear that decisions around changes to elections are a matter for government, not local councils. This is clearly an important safeguard that protects a fair democratic system. 

"The Government will be aware of the complexities and interdependencies around local government reorganisation and devolution which previously led to them postponing this year's elections in some areas including Thurrock.

"It is for them to weigh up the various arguments for and against holding local elections for councils that will not exist in two years' time, with our residents' right to elect their local representatives at regular intervals.

"In the last couple of weeks, the council has been impacted by three significant Government announcements.

"First the Government announced a surprise change to the devolution and Mayoral election timetable that we have had to work with colleagues across Essex to digest and respond to.

"Yesterday we received the local government finance settlement which requires significant analysis to fully understand its impact on Thurrock's budget proposals.

"Finally, today we receive this request for views on the elections. There is a huge amount to assess and respond to on behalf of our residents.

"I need to consult Thurrock councillors across all parties, our neighbouring councils, and carefully consider the feedback that Government has asked for by the deadline they have given us. I will consider all options to allow all councillors to have their say on this matter. 

"However, I do want to reassure residents that as things stand, I and my Labour party colleagues continue to work relentlessly towards May's elections and will be out knocking on doors and talking to residents this weekend, as we do every week."

The full statement from the government can be read via this link.