Worcestershire County Council bosses have asked the government to postpone the election so they can fast-track plans for a unitary authority authority.
But the move has led to a backlash from opposition councillors and district council leaders.
Even Tory councillor Alan Amos called the attempt to postpone elections without debate an “act of vandalism”.
PETITION: Mel Allcott says postponing the election would be undemocratic (Image: Submitted)
Worcester Liberal Democrats have now launched a petition at change.org/WorcestershireDemocracy.
Local government minister Jim McMahon MP has announced there are 18 counties under consideration for delayed elections, including Worcestershire.
Cllr Mel Allcott, group leader of the Unity Group on the county council, said: “The Conservative-led council have proceeded in a truly blinkered and undemocratic manner.
“They have totally ignored the city and district councils who have objected to the delay of the elections and are proceeding as if the matter is done and dusted when the reality is far from it.
“It’s utterly unbelievable that they feel they can make decisions without consultation or mandate from the public.
“It’s not a surprise that they wish to run from the ballot box having been embarrassed hugely in 2024, but this will not stand here.
“We have therefore started this petition to give the people in Worcestershire a chance to be heard. We call on all of those who wish to have their voices heard to please sign and share this petition all across the county.
“This is not a case of party politics. This is about ensuring that the democratic rights of every person in Worcestershire, as well as the rest of the country, is upheld and protected. No council should be able to make huge decisions that affect people’s rights in such a manner.
“It’s time that those who think they can undermine these principles learn that they work for their constituents and not the other way around.”
READ MORE: Worcestershire councils could merge under devolution plans
READ MORE: Backlash over council’s plan to postpone elections
Simon Geraghty, leader of the county council, said: “The Government have very recently signalled the end of two-tier governance and therefore our district and county councils will be abolished.
“It is essential to emphasise this is not optional – the Government could not be clearer that, whether we like it or not, this is happening.
“We will be required to move to a unitary structure in a relatively short timescale with full proposals being submitted in either May or September. We have responded to Government proposing a Worcestershire Unitary Authority, as this is in line with their criteria of 500,000 residents or more.
“It is for the Government to decide if elections are postponed to enable us to fully focus on engaging with residents, as well as working with partners and stakeholders to work up proposals and seek to implement this on an ambitious timescale. This would see elections in May 2026 to the new ‘shadow authority’. Most other county councils have responded to Government in a similar way.”