Fury and delight as huge decision taken on local elections 2025 in Gloucestershire
Elections for Gloucestershire County Council will take place in May 2025, the Government has said. This comes after the county council asked for the poll to be postponed amid moves to create more unitary authorities in England.
The Conservative leader of the county council had written to the Government to express his administration's ambition for a unitary council. But today (Wednesday, February 5) a list of elections due on Thursday, May 1, confirmed a count in Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire, with a population of around 659,276, is currently a two-tier area where local government responsibilities are split between the County Council and the district councils of Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, Stroud and Tewkesbury.
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The leaders of Gloucester City, Cheltenham Borough, Cotswold, Forest of Dean and Stroud districts have been opposed to the postponement. They also expressed that view in a letter to Local Government and English Devolution Minister Jim McMahon.
Today, politicians fired the starting pistol on the run up to a full election to Gloucestershire County Council. The council is currently run by a Conservative minority administration.
Cllr Stephen Davies, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am disappointed that Gloucestershire has not been included in the Local Government Reorganisation fast track programme to unlock devolution. We remain committed to achieving the benefits of devolution for the county and will await further information from Central Government about the timeline for achieving it.
“This is the beginning of an exciting journey for the county and one that will make sure Gloucestershire benefits from the transfer of powers and funding from national Government, meaning we will have greater control and influence over our future than we do now. I know to be successful in this process, we must continue to work closely with all local councils and other key stakeholders, and I remain committed to doing so.”
Political parties react
A statement today from Conservatives at Shire Hall said: “Starmer’s Labour Government has confirmed that Gloucestershire will not be included in the first tranche of local government reform, denying our county much-needed investment. While we are disappointed, we are not surprised - once again, Labour has ignored Gloucestershire and the South West, while prioritising the South East.
"MPs and local politicians in Gloucestershire from Labour, egged on by the Liberal Democrats, have once again chosen to focus on a political game, leaving Gloucestershire to struggle without the investment and support we need to thrive.
"This decision also highlights Starmer’s neglect of rural communities, with even Gloucestershire’s own Labour (and Lib Dem) MPs turning a blind eye to the needs of the people they represent. Instead of fighting for investment and better services for our County, they have actively played party politics, leaving Gloucestershire behind.
"Without the crucial investment that other areas continue to receive, our communities are being left to face growing infrastructure challenges without the necessary resources. Despite this setback, Gloucestershire Conservatives remain steadfast in our commitment to securing the best possible future for our county. We will continue to push for efficient local services and ensure a united Gloucestershire gets the investment it deserves.
"Now in this year’s election, voters have one choice: to back a united Gloucestershire with efficient local services, or risk continued neglect under Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who have once again failed to deliver for our county, leaving us behind in favour of their own political agendas.”
Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown, Conservative MP for the North Cotswolds, asked the Secretary of State a question in today’s statement in which he welcomed the new certainty, but asked for a timetable by which full representations will have to be made to the Government if the county wished to change to a unitary authority. He also asked for a confirmation that the Council will serve a four-year term.
Commenting, Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown said: “I think this is the best outcome for Gloucestershire because it will now give an opportunity for all Gloucestershire residents to have enough time to have their to say on how they would like local services delivered, including police and health delivered within in the county.”
Responding to the decision to hold the election, Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, welcomed the decision to hold the local elections in Gloucestershire. "Stopping the county council elections was a blatant attempt by the Conservative county council leadership to stop voters having their say on their failed administration," the Liberal Democrat councillor said.
"I’m relieved it has failed and democracy should never be put on hold for political convenience. I am pleased the county council elections will go ahead on May 1 as planned. The elections should never have been under threat.
“Postponing these elections would have been an insult to local people. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed, and democracy has won the day. “Postponing the elections was never about reorganising local government in Gloucestershire - it was a desperate attempt by the Conservatives to cling onto power.
“The rejection of this delay is a victory for accountability and local democracy. It’s time to boot this failed administration out of office. May 1 cannot come soon enough.”
Speaking on behalf of Liberal Democrat MPs in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson said: “Despite their best efforts, Conservative Councillors have not been allowed to duck the judgement of Gloucestershire people this May. Being scared to face the electorate after a shambolic general election result and their failure to fix our potholed roads was never a good enough reason to cancel May’s local elections. I’m glad the Government also recognises this.
“Now, voters in Gloucestershire will be given the chance to finally get rid of the Conservatives at Shire Hall for the first time in 20 years.”
The Green Group on Tewkesbury Borough Council in a statement urged voters to make their voices heard in the upcoming May 2025 County elections, highlighting the importance of electing representatives who can deliver a devolution deal that benefits everyone.
“Gloucestershire is facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape its future,” said Green Group Leader-elect Cllr Hilarie Bowman. “But this can only happen if we elect leaders who understand the needs of our communities and prioritise local voices in decision-making.”
The Greens are advocating for a devolution deal that includes good-quality, affordable homes designed to withstand climate change, placed in locations with the right infrastructure and neighborhood facilities. They also emphasise the need for better transport options, a country-leading green economy, improved social care, and roads that are fit for purpose.
“With the county set to grow to 740,000 people, we need leadership that will ensure rural voices aren’t lost and that our small towns and villages are treated as seriously as our urban centres,” said Cllr Bowman.
The Greens are appealing to disillusioned voters across the political spectrum, including those who’ve lost faith in the Conservatives, Labour supporters who care about the environment, and young and first-time voters eager for change.
“This is your chance to choose leaders who will fight for a better Gloucestershire,” added Cllr Bowman. “Together, we can build a county we’re proud to call home.”
The national picture
May elections in nine council areas have been postponed for one year amid the reorganisation of local government in England, Angela Rayner has said. The Deputy Prime Minister has also invited all 21 two-tier areas – which have both county and district councils – to submit proposals to reorganise themselves into single “unitary” authorities.
Ms Rayner, who is also the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, agreed to cancel elections in May because the Government is “not in the business of holding elections to bodies that won’t exist”, so votes will be held in May 2026 after the expected reorganisation.
The nine affected areas are East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey.
Ms Rayner also unveiled seven new potential devolution areas with “a view to mayoral elections in May 2026” across Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Greater Essex, Hampshire and Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, Sussex and Brighton, and Lancashire.
More reaction as we get it.