Norfolk leaders seek to accelerate mayoral election

Leaders in Norfolk are pushing to accelerate the election for the first mayor of Norfolk and Suffolk. While the vote is currently scheduled for May 2028, senior councillors have submitted a formal request to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to bring the election forward to May next year.

The election was previously delayed to allow for potential local government reorganisation, which would have replaced existing councils with unitary authorities. However, Labour ministers have since withdrawn those plans as part of a broader review. Despite this, the devolution process remains active, aiming to establish a combined authority led by an elected mayor.

The mayor will oversee significant responsibilities, including transport, infrastructure, strategic planning, and economic development. Potential candidates for the role include David Bick for Reform, Carli Harper for Labour, and Tim Passmore for the Conservatives.