The government said just before Christmas that it was willing to consider cancelling local elections in the seven parts of Lancashire due to stage them next year, as the county prepares to undergo a radical shake-up of its councils.

All 15 of Lancashire’s main local authorities are due to be abolished in 2028, with elections set to be held to ‘shadow’ versions of the bodies that will replace them in 2027.

Against that backdrop four out of the seven councils with polls scheduled for next May have called for them to be scrapped.

We asked readers on our Facebook page whether ditching next year’s votes made sense in view of the forthcoming changes - or would be a case of denying democracy. Here’s what some of you thought:

John Robinson

Denying democracy

Judith Addison

As a Borough Councillor, I find it rather ironic that people want the 2026 Elections to go ahead, yet for quite a number of years now the turnout (percentage poll) at Local Elections has been down to 30% (in-person & postal voters added together)!

Geoff Cole

And in the meantime councils are still allowed to recruit staff to positions that won’t exist under the proposed restructure(including replacement chief executives)

Sean Godfrey

Cancel payment of council tax if they cancel voting.!!!

Janet Hill

It’s denying democracy.

Patricia Probin

Janet Hill I would agree if we couldn’t vote a year later. I am loathe to spend a huge amount of taxpayer money on something which will have very little impact in a year of change. Of course, people who don’t pay taxes are often happy to spend other people’s money.

Peter Donnelly

So it would be fascinating if all those on here who’ve had a go about the postponing of elections, have they actually voted in recent elections?

Also, I bet any money they’ve also complained / moaned about councils ( egged on by reform liars ) about wasting money.

FACT : It would cost tens of thousands of pounds to do the elections only for that council & those councillors to be abolished 12 months later, what hypocrisy!

Cty Cllr Lee Hutchinson

I have written to Chorley MP, Sir Lindsay Hoyle regarding the potential cancellation of the upcoming local elections in May.

Only a dictatorship cancels democratic elections. The people of Chorley have a fundamental right to vote!

Russ Armstrong

Running scared need to protect their incomes

Lorna Gleadell

Denying the vote is dictatorship !!

Colin Moorcroft

Let the people vote and choose.