Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has accused Sir Keir Starmer of acting like a “despot” after it was revealed Labour is preparing to cancel four mayoral elections slated for next May.

Mr Farage, who bemoaned Labour’s decision to axe local contests across Reform-leaning areas earlier this year, suggested the Prime Minister was stifling his momentum through the allegedly democracy-denying decision.

Four new combined authorities – Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk, Hampshire & the Solent and Sussex & Brighton – look set to have polls pushed back by two years.

Ministers are expected to confirm the delay later today, The Sun has revealed.

Responding to the delay, Mr Farage said: “For the second year running, this failing Labour Government will now cancel elections in areas they fear that Reform will win.

“These are the actions of despots, not democrats.”

Essex, which already had its council contest delayed earlier this year, is a Reform UK heartland, with Nigel Farage picking up two seats in the county at the last general election.

Polling aggregator Nowcast currently projects Reform UK to win 17 out of 18 Essex seats.

Meanwhile, Reform UK also looks poised to pick up 15 out of 18 seats in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Reform does appear set to make significant inroads in Hampshire and Sussex, albeit with a challenge from the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and Tories.

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