三个埃塞克斯理事会计划在合并期间取消地方选举,引发对民主关切的反弹。 Three Essex councils plan to cancel local elections amid a merger, sparking backlash over democracy concerns.

埃塞克斯郡三个议会计划取消即将举行的地方选举，此举由政府主导的14个当局合并，这引发了英国改革党领袖奈杰尔·法拉奇的强烈反对，他称此举“可耻”，并比作“香蕉共和国”的行为。 Three Essex councils plan to cancel upcoming local elections amid a government-led merger of 14 authorities, sparking backlash from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who called the move "disgraceful" and likened it to "banana republic" behavior. 根据JL合作伙伴对4441名成年人进行的民意调查,英国改革党将在巴西尔登赢得34%和瑟罗克赢得37%,可能将控制权从目前领导这两届议会的工党手中夺走. A JL Partners poll of 4,441 adults found Reform UK would win 34% in Basildon and 37% in Thurrock, potentially taking control from Labour, which currently leads both councils. 受影响地区82%的选民认为选举应该继续进行,66%的人认为推迟是不可接受的。 Eighty-two percent of voters in affected areas believe elections should proceed, and 66% view postponement as unacceptable. 据法拉奇证实英国改革党已启动司法审查, Farage confirmed Reform UK has launched a judicial review, citing fear of the party’s electoral success as the real motive. 预计政府很快将决定是否将选举推迟一年。 The government is expected to decide soon whether to delay elections for a year.