Angela Rayner has denied Reform it's best chance of winning in local elections (Image: GETTY)
Angela Rayner has denied Reform UK its best chance of winning its first council after delaying some local elections, according to a pollster.
Polling expert and Tory peer Lord Hayward said Nigel Farage's party, which is leading some national opinion polls, would have been likely to take Labour-run Thurrock if the ballot had gone ahead.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
医师「涂抹後斑点就会消失喔」40多岁女性的脸1个月就激变japonelifeskeem-hk.com 了解更多
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
Reform and Nigel Farage favourites to win most seats at General Election
156 Comments
New UK map reveals 220 seats Reform would win in election held today
102 Comments
Reform tops major national poll for first time
879 Comments
Labour panic as MPs set up new group to focus on threat of Nigel Farage's Reform
468 Comments
'Bring it on!' Reform MPs' bullish reply as desperate Labour turns fire on Nigel Farage
613 Comments
Reform UK poll victory as Nigel Farage's party on course to win most seats for first time
1168 Comments
Reform's 20 target seats include Ed Miliband's as Farage wants 'to scare pants off' Labour
5 Comments
在万宁买的「全效合一水凝霜」只涂1个月！照镜子吓了一跳！YUKINOUE 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Angela Rayner sparks fury as local elections cancelled for nine councils
632 Comments
Lee Anderson hails 'seismic moment' as Labour councillor defects to Reform
29 Comments
Taylor Swift Goes Natural, Here’s How She Really LooksThe Noodle Box
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nigel Farage promises voters are in for a 'big surprise' as he teases major announcement
505 Comments
Nigel Farage begs supporters 'give me ￡20' as Reform builds election war chest
366 Comments
退休医师揭秘：长寿秘诀并非多行多眠，而是坚持这两个小习惯TopManFun 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nigel Farage slams 'rotten' decision to cancel elections and demands 'let the people vote'
379 Comments
Nigel Farage plans massive election rally and says Reform has 'all the momentum'
86 Comments
Walmart Photos Which Are Not For EveryoneOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
聪明的老人，从不和子女谈论这四件事，别不信，这是大智慧Rebang 360 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
She Was Everyone's Dream Girl In 90's, This Is Her RecentlyWillIBeHappy.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
Mattress Can’t Fit In The Lift? This Mattress Comes In A BoxSkyler Mattress
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
Reform and Nigel Farage favourites to win most seats at General Election
156 Comments
苹果醋7种隐藏力量：从保健到美容的天然良方有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
New UK map reveals 220 seats Reform would win in election held today
102 Comments
Reform tops major national poll for first time
879 Comments
Remember Brandi From Storage Wars? Here's Where She Is Today.Boite A Scoop
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour panic as MPs set up new group to focus on threat of Nigel Farage's Reform
468 Comments
'Bring it on!' Reform MPs' bullish reply as desperate Labour turns fire on Nigel Farage
613 Comments
Remember Tiger's Ex-Wife? Try Not To Smile When You See Her NowPaperela
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK poll victory as Nigel Farage's party on course to win most seats for first time
1168 Comments
Reform's 20 target seats include Ed Miliband's as Farage wants 'to scare pants off' Labour
5 Comments
Angela Rayner sparks fury as local elections cancelled for nine councils
632 Comments
Lee Anderson hails 'seismic moment' as Labour councillor defects to Reform
29 Comments
Nigel Farage promises voters are in for a 'big surprise' as he teases major announcement
505 Comments
Nigel Farage begs supporters 'give me ￡20' as Reform builds election war chest
366 Comments
Nigel Farage slams 'rotten' decision to cancel elections and demands 'let the people vote'
379 Comments
Nigel Farage plans massive election rally and says Reform has 'all the momentum'
86 Comments
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
It is one of nine areas where the Deputy Prime Minister has postponed May elections as part of a major overhaul of local government.
Lord Hayward told The Telegraph: “Thurrock has been Reform’s number one target, and is one of the reasons that the party kicked up such a fuss when the postponements were announced.
"It is an area in which Ukip has done extremely well in the past, and would have been a very strong base for Reform had the elections gone ahead.
Sponsored
私人保险|搜寻广告香港长者可负担的私人医疗保险
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
“By delaying this election, Angela Rayner has ensured that a high-profile Labour defeat will not dominate the headlines in May.”
Don't miss... Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges [LATEST]
Thurrock currently has 27 Labour seats, 13 Tory and nine independents, and every councillor would have been up for election.
Reform has already had electoral success in the area with James McMurdock elected as the party's MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock in last year’s general election.
The insurgent party came second in the Thurrock constituency, which covers the rest of the council area.
But Thurrock council is expected to be merged into other parts of Essex to create a new unitary authority after it went bankrupt last year.
Ms Rayner on Wednesday announced plans for local elections to be delayed in nine council areas.
Those affected are East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey.
Trending
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary told the Commons: "For certain areas, a significant amount of work is needed to unlock devolution and deliver reorganisation. For this reason, some areas requested to postpone their elections until May 2026.
"The Government's starting point is for all elections to go ahead unless there's a strong justification for postponement, and the bar is high, and rightly so.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
Reform and Nigel Farage favourites to win most seats at General Election
156 Comments
New UK map reveals 220 seats Reform would win in election held today
102 Comments
Reform tops major national poll for first time
879 Comments
Labour panic as MPs set up new group to focus on threat of Nigel Farage's Reform
468 Comments
'Bring it on!' Reform MPs' bullish reply as desperate Labour turns fire on Nigel Farage
613 Comments
Reform UK poll victory as Nigel Farage's party on course to win most seats for first time
1168 Comments
Reform's 20 target seats include Ed Miliband's as Farage wants 'to scare pants off' Labour
5 Comments
Climbing the Finance Ladder: How One Professional Earned Five Certificationsefinancialcareers Read More
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Angela Rayner sparks fury as local elections cancelled for nine councils
632 Comments
Lee Anderson hails 'seismic moment' as Labour councillor defects to Reform
30 Comments
SHAPE Business Top-up Degrees 成就商业专才SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nigel Farage promises voters are in for a 'big surprise' as he teases major announcement
505 Comments
Nigel Farage begs supporters 'give me ￡20' as Reform builds election war chest
366 Comments
2025 年最纾压的农场遊戏！无需安装东加：岛屿农场 立即播放
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Nigel Farage slams 'rotten' decision to cancel elections and demands 'let the people vote'
379 Comments
Nigel Farage plans massive election rally and says Reform has 'all the momentum'
86 Comments
SHAPE 健康及生命科学 Top-up DegreesSHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
「智方便」登记加倍方便 生活加倍轻鬆数字政策办公室 Digital Policy Office 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
Vplus 专才进修资助 资助高达60% 上限HK$45,000 / HK$36,000Vplus 辨事处 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A ModelOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
Reform and Nigel Farage favourites to win most seats at General Election
156 Comments
These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World5minstory.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
New UK map reveals 220 seats Reform would win in election held today
102 Comments
Reform tops major national poll for first time
879 Comments
Oldest Stars Who Are Still Alive And Often ForgottenWillIBeHappy.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Labour panic as MPs set up new group to focus on threat of Nigel Farage's Reform
468 Comments
'Bring it on!' Reform MPs' bullish reply as desperate Labour turns fire on Nigel Farage
613 Comments
狗狗不让宝宝单独睡觉，父母明白原因後立马报警有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reform UK poll victory as Nigel Farage's party on course to win most seats for first time
1168 Comments
Reform's 20 target seats include Ed Miliband's as Farage wants 'to scare pants off' Labour
5 Comments
Angela Rayner sparks fury as local elections cancelled for nine councils
632 Comments
Lee Anderson hails 'seismic moment' as Labour councillor defects to Reform
30 Comments
Nigel Farage promises voters are in for a 'big surprise' as he teases major announcement
505 Comments
Nigel Farage begs supporters 'give me ￡20' as Reform builds election war chest
366 Comments
Nigel Farage slams 'rotten' decision to cancel elections and demands 'let the people vote'
379 Comments
Nigel Farage plans massive election rally and says Reform has 'all the momentum'
86 Comments
Full list of councils cancelling elections - is your local vote going ahead?
Comments
Angela Rayner has just announced a change so outrageous you'd think the UK was North Korea
586 Comments
Jubilant Nigel Farage hails 'truly astonishing' poll result as Reform surges
467 Comments
Top Tory Jacob Rees Mogg demands deal with Reform or Labour 'could win again'
104 Comments
Reform UK top yet another poll - leaving one question about Kemi Badenoch
121 Comments
Keir Starmer issued warning by Labour MPs over Nigel Farage threat after bombshell poll
88 Comments
Labour drop biggest clue yet that Reform UK and Nigel Farage have them rattled
256 Comments
How The 5AM Club Went Viral And Became The Most Talked About Book OnlineBlinkist
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
退休医生坦言：寿命长不是靠多走路和多睡觉，而是坚持这2件小事TopManFun
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
狗狗坚决不让婴儿单独待著—父母知道原因后，立刻报警有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
每天喝苹果醋的7大好处：身体会感谢你的有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
"I am only agreeing to half of the requests that were made. After careful consideration, I have only agreed to postpone elections in places where this is central to our manifesto promise to deliver devolution.
"We're not in the business of holding elections to bodies that won't exist and where we don't know what will replace them. This would be an expensive and irresponsible waste of taxpayers' money, and any party calling for these elections to go ahead must explain how this waste would be justifiable."
But Reform leader Nigel Farage has accused the Government of "sheer cowardice" over the move.