The Government’s decision to postpone county council elections robs millions of voters in Surrey and Hampshire of their fundamental right to choose their representatives, eroding public trust in the very institutions that claim to serve them.

County council elections are held every four years and serve as a vital mechanism for public accountability. Elections give citizens the chance to voice their concerns, hold decision-makers to account, and demand better governance. Delaying these elections denies communities of their fundamental democratic rights. Far from being a mere formality, elections are a cornerstone of democratic society.