Local Elections 2026: What a vote for Reform will mean for you

In January 2026 the Labour Government asked Peterborough City Council if it would like to postpone our elections. This was suggested because Local Authority reorganisation may see Peterborough cease to exist in its current format from April 2028, meaning that Councillor’s appointed in 2026 might need to serve a shorter term than normal.

We were told these shorter appointments may not represent value for money and that staff were busy.

Let’s be clear; these elections were always scheduled for May 2026, the staff were in place to manage the elections for May 2026 and the cost of holding these elections in May 2026 was always budgeted and expected. There was absolutely no valid case whatsoever to postpone these elections.

However, barely believably, current Councillors on Peterborough City Council voted, by 28 votes to 18 (and by unanimous vote of its Cabinet Members) to cancel these forthcoming elections and deny you the opportunity to vote, in Peterborough, this May.

Reform vehemently oppose any attack on democracy and withdrawal of your right to vote for the politicians that you wish to be represented by. This is why Reform waged a legal challenge against the Government over the potential postponement of our local elections. As you will be aware, we won!

When casting your vote, please remember Reform is the only party you can absolutely trust to support democracy and will always protect the electorate’s right to vote.

Our candidate in Paston & Walton is Ryan Gallagher.

“Paston and Walton are fantastic areas of the City with a great community spirit,” he says. “However, Peterborough, Paston and Walton could be so much better if the Council was operated more efficiently, stopped wasting your money and addressed the priorities many neighbours and the residents have raised with me, which includes:

Speeding is one of the biggest concerns raised when speaking to residents across the ward. I will work with residents, the Council and Police to push for better enforcement, awareness and making streets safer.

Utilization of community spaces for youth projects - I will work locally to support and develop youth projects that give young people more positive engagement and strengthen local community.

Ward wide pothole issues - I will push for quicker reporting, proper repairs, and council accountability for maintaining our roads to a decent standard.

I would be proud to represent you on the Council and I am pleased that we in Reform have secured you the vote in May.

Vote Ryan Gallagher – Reform if you want to see;

 Less waste and reduced spending on environmental, diversity and woke projects

 Better public services, more attractive City Centre and Safer Communities

 Businesses supported with more jobs being created

 Less crime and prioritising of crime reduction initiatives

 Opposition to housing asylum seekers in your communities. Prioritising the needs of residents over foreign nationals.