Back to News
UK politics: Government abandons plans to delay 30 local council elections in May – as it happened
Local NewsPoliticsFebruary 16, 2026 at 6:15 PMNational

UK politics: Government abandons plans to delay 30 local council elections in May – as it happened

By Andrew SparrowThe Guardian - UK News

The government was warned by its lawyers that such a move could be illegal as it pledges an additional £63m to help councils with reorganisationIn his Q&A with journalists, Keir Starmer was also asked to respond to a report by the BBC’s James Landale saying he is looking at plans to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament. In the past Starmer has just said that he would like to do this at some point in the next parliament.In his reply, Starmer said that at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend he was arguing that the UK, and Europe as a whole, needs to “step up”.We want a just and lasting peace, but that will not extinguish the Russian threat, and we need to be alert to that, because that’s going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up.That means, on defence spending, we need to go faster. Continue reading...

The government was warned by its lawyers that such a move could be illegal as it pledges an additional £63m to help councils with reorganisation

In his Q&A with journalists, Keir Starmer was also asked to respond to a report by the BBC’s James Landale saying he is looking at plans to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by the end of this parliament. In the past Starmer has just said that he would like to do this at some point in the next parliament.

In his reply, Starmer said that at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend he was arguing that the UK, and Europe as a whole, needs to “step up”.

We want a just and lasting peace, but that will not extinguish the Russian threat, and we need to be alert to that, because that’s going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up.

That means, on defence spending, we need to go faster.

Continue reading...

Related News

Arron Banks hired private investigators to dig into Conservative party chair
UK NewsPolitics

Arron Banks hired private investigators to dig into Conservative party chair

Revelation comes after it was disclosed that Reform UK backer had paid for spying on prominent journalistThe businessman...

The Guardian - UK News3 hours ago
This is what it sounded like when everyone at Boomtown festival got the government wildfire phone alert at once
PoliticsMusic News

This is what it sounded like when everyone at Boomtown festival got the government wildfire phone alert at once

"British humour is unmatched" The post This is what it sounded like when everyone at Boomtown festival got the governme...

NME Music News3 hours ago
Taliban threaten former Afghan police worker after MoD leak reveals identity
UK NewsPolitics

Taliban threaten former Afghan police worker after MoD leak reveals identity

UK has refused resettlement application despite ‘years of loyal service’ that have resulted in ‘constant fear’ of repris...

The Guardian - UK News6 hours ago
Burnham urged to crack down on gig economy firms to protect 4m workers
UK NewsPoliticsBusiness

Burnham urged to crack down on gig economy firms to protect 4m workers

Exclusive: Campaigners say millions are missing out on key rights including sick pay and protection against unfair dismi...

The Guardian - UK News7 hours ago
Angela Rayner moves to protect pubs from being turned into houses or offices
UK NewsPolitics

Angela Rayner moves to protect pubs from being turned into houses or offices

Housing secretary says developers will have to prove there is no way to save pub, as she prepares planning shake-upAll p...

The Guardian - UK News9 hours ago
New UK cost of living crisis looms with soaring energy bills forecast to lift inflation
UK NewsPoliticsBusiness

New UK cost of living crisis looms with soaring energy bills forecast to lift inflation

Latest reading on Wednesday likely to frame scale of challenge for new PM to ease pressures on households amid Iran war...

The Guardian - UK News10 hours ago