Classic! Lib Dems and Labour Running Scared and Playing Politics
Labour and Lib Dem council leaders have pushed back the Cumbria Mayoral Election from 2026 to 2027.
They claim it is to “save money” by running it alongside council elections...But here’s the truth:
- The Mayoral Combined Authority will still launch in 2026… just without a Mayor.
- It’ll need to be fully staffed from CEO down - on expensive interim contracts.
- These costs will swallow any savings, then be wasted again when the Mayor brings in their own team in 2027.
- Decisions will be made by people with no public mandate.
- A six-figure-salary Devolution Director is already in post - now with another full year guaranteed, before a single vote is cast.
This isn’t about saving money - it’s about winning.
Labour and the Lib Dems know they’re unlikely to win a mayoral election next year, so they’ve kicked the can down the road and hope a voting system change helps their chances.
Pure political gerrymandering.
The real losers?
Cumbria’s residents and businesses - who’ve already waited nearly a decade for the benefits of devolution, only to be shoved to the back of the queue again.
If they really wanted to save money, they could bring the council elections forward.
