Basildon Council has requested the cancellation of its upcoming May elections to prioritize local government reorganisation (LGR) in Essex, a move that has sparked significant controversy. The Labour-led council, under the leadership of Gavin Callaghan, argues that the elections would impede their ability to meet government deadlines for the reorganisation, which aims to replace the current two-tier system with three to five unitary authorities by 2028. Callaghan emphasized the importance of this transition, stating, "We are removing the inefficiency, the bureaucracy, the duplication that exists every single day."

The proposal has been met with strong opposition. Conservative group leader Andy Barnes described it as a "dark day for democracy," while public attendees at the council meeting expressed their disapproval vocally. Despite the criticism, Callaghan highlighted that similar election cancellations occurred in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire during previous reorganisations.

Meanwhile, Kent County Council (KCC) has announced a proposed council tax increase of 3.99% for the next financial year. KCC leader Linden Kemkaran defended the proposal as a necessary step to address the council's financial challenges, including a debt exceeding £700 million. The draft budget, delayed until this week, aims to reduce historic borrowing while maintaining essential services. However, opposition leader Anthony Hook of the Liberal Democrats accused the Reform administration of financial mismanagement and breaking election promises to lower taxes.

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, faces criticism for similar tax hikes across several councils it controls, including Derbyshire and Leicestershire, where increases near the legal maximum of 5% are proposed. The party, which campaigned on a platform of tax cuts, has been accused of betraying voters' trust. Despite internal divisions and defections, Reform maintains a significant majority in Kent.