Well, wouldn’t you just know it? Just as I warned before Christmas, May’s local elections here in Essex look all but certain to be cancelled. 

So far Conservative-led Harlow Council, Labour-led Basildon Borough Council and Labour-led Thurrock Council have formally written to the government to request to cancel their elections due to be held on 7 May. 

The situation across the rest of Essex for the county elections is as clear as mud. At the time of writing, we are still waiting for an official decision on whether they will go ahead. 

So for the second year in a row it’s likely that voters in Essex will be denied their basic democratic rights.

The reason these councils give for seeking delays is that they would struggle to deliver on No 10’s plans for a major overhaul of local government  if they had to hold elections as well.

To which I say: utter poppycock.

It’s pretty clear to anyone that their real motivation for cancelling these elections is that they know full well Reform will win them.

Don’t just take my word for it. Conservative councillor John Spence, an Essex County Council cabinet member, is already on the record speaking about “the risks of political leadership change”.

Meanwhile, a recent poll by JL Partners showed Reform UK were on course to win all three borough councils. All three!

The establishment are, quite simply, running scared. As well they should.

As I have repeatedly said over the past few weeks, cancelling elections is the stuff of banana republics.

After all, why on earth should people pay their council tax if they don’t get the chance to vote for people who implement policies that affect their lives locally?  

Which is why Reform UK have launched a judicial review to challenge this disgraceful abuse of power. 

There will be a two-day hearing next month where the High Court will decide whether the decision to delay these elections should be overturned. 

Essex voters should hope it’s successful – for democracy’s sake.