What does the postponement of Crawley Borough Council elections mean inpractice, and what are the implications for LGBT+ residents and local LGBTadvocacy?

Earlier this month, Crawley Borough Council voted to ask the Government to postpone the local elections that were due to take place in May 2026. While the final decision now rests with ministers, the council’s request places Crawley alongside several other councils across East and West Sussex that are seeking similar delays. The move follows an invitation from the government to councils involved in Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to request election postponements if holding elections alongside restructuring would place pressure on capacity, finances, or stability.

At an extraordinary council meeting, Council councillors were allowed a free vote and after a

lengthy debate a narrow majority supported requesting a delay. The council’s Cabinet later agreed to honour that decision.

Why are elections being delayed?

Councils across Sussex are preparing for significant structural changes, including the creation of new unitary authorities that would replace existing county and borough councils. Council leaders supporting postponement argue that delaying elections would allow officers and councillors to focus on managing this complex transition without the additional demands of running elections at the same time.

The Government has said it is listening to councils’ concerns and will consider requests on a case-by-case basis, with a final decision expected by March. However, the decision has not been without controversy. Crawley Borough Council’s Chief Executive has stated publicly that election planning was already well underway and that no organisational capacity constraints had been identified that would prevent elections from going ahead.

A debate about democracy

For some local leaders and residents, the issue goes beyond administration and into democratic principle.

Crawley has a long tradition of frequent local elections, with a portion of councillors elected in most years. Former council leader Peter Lamb has argued that this system helps keep councillors accountable and closely connected to their communities. In his view, delaying elections – even temporarily – risks weakening democratic scrutiny, particularly at a time when major decisions affecting the town are being made.

Current council leader Michael Jones, who voted for elections to go ahead, said he was

disappointed by the outcome by felt “honour-bound” to respect the will of the council after the vote.

Other council leaders across Sussex have emphasised that postponement does not remove

people’s right to vote, pointing to a busy electoral timetable ahead, including elections for new unitary authorities in 2027 and a Sussex-wide mayoral election in 2028.

Why does this matter for LGBT+ people in Crawley and surrounding areas?

Local elections are not just about choosing councillors. They are also moments when issues

affecting everyday life – including equality, safety, health, and community services – receive grater public attention. For LGBT+ people, election periods often create opportunities to:

• Raise concerns about hate crime and community safety

• Push for better mental health and youth services

• Secure public commitments from candidates on equality and inclusion

With elections postponed, there may be fewer short-term opportunities to bring LGBT+ issues into public debate or to hold councillors to account through the ballot box. There is also the risk that, during periods of political uncertainty, councils become more cautious. New initiatives – particularly those seen as politically sensitive – can be slowed down or deprioritised while attention focuses on structural change.

At the same time, uncertainty around local government reorganisation and elections can affect reorganisation and elections can affect funding decisions. Many LGBT+ organisations (including Crawley LGBT) rely on council grants or partnerships, and periods of transition can lead to shorter funding cycles or delays to new opportunities.

Are there any opportunities?

While the postponement raises concerns, it also creates some opportunities. With less immediate

electoral pressure, there may be more scope for cross-party collaboration on equality issues.

Council officers – who remain in post regardless of elections – are also likely to play a key role

during reorganisation, making engagement with them particularly important. As the new unitary

authorities are designed, there is an opportunity to ensure that LGBT+ equality, inclusion, and

community safety are built into new structures from the outset.

What Crawley LGBT will be doing

Crawley LGBT will be closely monitoring developments as the Government considers the council’s request. During this period, we will continue to:

• Engage with councillors and council officers on issues affecting LGBT+ residents

• Monitor council decisions and funding processes

• Advocate for LGBT+ voices to remain visible during local government reorganisation

Democratic change does not only happen at the ballot box. Even during times of transition, it is vital that LGBT+ people in Crawley continue to be heard, represented, and supported.