NEW polling data from JL Partners suggests Reform UK would have won in Redditch Borough Council this May.
The data suggests were the election to take place in Redditch, Reform would win 32 per cent of the vote, Labour 23 per cent, and the Conservatives 20 per cent.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “This poll proves the establishment is cancelling local elections in Redditch because they know Reform would win them.
“Denying elections is the disgraceful behaviour of a banana republic.
“Reform UK has launched a judicial review against this abuse of power by the government.”
A third of the council in Redditch would have been up for the vote which, figures show, would cost the taxpayer £192,000 to hold, with many councilors saying it would be ‘a waste of taxpayers money’.
The proposal to cancel the poll came in light of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), that would see all district councils and the county council abolished with a vote to establish the new authority is scheduled to be held in May 2027.
Were that to be the case, the newly-elected councillors would only serve a term of 18 months before the borough and district councils were abolished.
There has been much upset from residents in Redditch, with some even protesting at the council meeting where the decision to cancel the elections was made.
The council wrote to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to postpone the election after the meeting. It was confirmed last week that it would be cancelled.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP said: “This decision follows a comprehensive consideration of all the evidence available to me.
“I have listened to concerns regarding the resource pressures of running intensive elections for councils proposed for abolition shortly thereafter.
“By delaying these elections, I am confident that we will be releasing essential capacity within councils to allow your teams to focus their full energy on the complex reorganisation process, while also addressing concerns regarding the cost of holding elections for bodies that will soon cease to exist.”
The legislative process to postpone these elections will now commence.
