Labour will postpone four of next year’s mayoral elections until 2028, it has been suggested. Four new combined authorities – Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Sussex and Brighton, and Norfolk and Suffolk – will have their polls pushed back two years. They were set to take place next May alongside other council elections.

The Sun reported that ministers are expected to make the announcement on Thursday because councils need more time to complete their reorganisation.

Huge Labour civil war explodes in Wales months before make-or-break elections

Some of May’s local elections this year were postponed by a year in areas of southern England under plans to radically reorganise councils and roll out further devolution.

Reform UK had accused Labour and the Conservatives of “colluding” to “

See Full Page