Norfolk Council Leader Accuses Government of Bullying Over Election Delay
Kay Mason Billig, the Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council, has launched a scathing attack on the government, alleging that Local Government Secretary Steve Reed coerced the council into agreeing to postpone local elections in exchange for additional funding and powers. In a dramatic move, Billig has withdrawn from long-awaited devolution deals for the county, citing an inability to manage both the reorganisation plans and elections simultaneously.
Allegations of Coercion and Broken Contracts
Billig described Reed as a "two-faced bully" who pressured the council to forgo requesting local elections proceed, with the promise of inclusion in the government's devolution priority programme. She emphasised that she has never personally met or spoken to Reed, adding weight to her claims of impersonal coercion. The council leader stated, "Words fail me for describing the mess the government have created with their election hokey-cokey. As a result, devolution and LGR are off. We cannot consent to the new statutory instrument that is necessary to set up our mayoral county combined authority in the months before our elections. So that's it. The contract is broken."
Government Denials and Wider Political Fallout
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government firmly denied Billig's allegations, asserting that Norfolk's position on the devolution priority programme was never dependent on election timing. They reiterated the government's commitment to collaborating with local partners on mayoral devolution in Norfolk and Suffolk. However, the controversy has sparked broader concerns, with other council leaders, such as Daniel Elmer of South Norfolk Council, expressing doubts about the benefits of local government reorganisation (LGR), noting that promised funds and powers have not materialised.
The situation escalated after the government abandoned plans to delay elections at 30 councils undergoing reorganisation, following a legal challenge from Reform UK. This reversal has left officials scrambling to organise ballots for May, potentially disrupting the most significant council shake-up in five decades. Some Labour MPs have voiced scepticism about LGR, warning that new unitary authorities might feel too large and remote for voters, while others support the move to simplify the confusing two-tier system.
Political Reactions and Calls for Resignation
Nigel Farage has called for Steve Reed to step down over the election fiasco, with Conservatives demanding his resignation if he fails to address questions about his ministerial propriety. In contrast, Care Minister Stephen Kinnock defended Reed, praising his performance and emphasising the government's intention to operate within legal boundaries despite the less-than-ideal circumstances.
This dispute highlights deepening tensions between local authorities and central government over devolution and electoral processes, with potential implications for other councils considering similar actions.
