In an extraordinary move, Worcestershire County Council leader Simon Geraghty last week wrote to local government minister Jim McMahon requesting the postponement of the upcoming County Council Elections in May 2025. 

He has claimed he wants to fast-track plans for a Worcestershire unitary authority in line with Labour’s devolution policies.

However Mr Geraghty made this move without informing the council and the contents of the letter were not shared until after it had been submitted. This most critical matter of local government was not even put on the agenda of the scheduled county council meeting on January 9.

Over the past few weeks, the Tory led Worcestershire County Council has already failed to share information or work collaboratively. It is widely believed that the leaders have taken this action as a means to avoid public scrutiny at the ballot box following their disastrous results during 2024. 

We believe this to be fundamentally wrong and are calling on this move by the leader to be fundamentally rejected. We believe the voting public of Worcestershire should have their say on whether the elections go ahead and if they do they should have their say at the ballot box in May 2025. 

This is not a case of party politics. This is about ensuring that the democratic rights of every person in Worcestershire, as well as the rest of the country, is upheld and protected. No Council should be able to make huge decisions that affect peoples rights in such a manner. Its time that those who think they can undermine these principles learn that they work for their constituents and not the other way around

Please sign and share our petition and let the leaders of Worcestershire County Council know that this type of undemocratic decision making has no place in Worcestershire or anywhere else. 

Democracy Matters. Make your voices be heard.