Committee publication · Correspondence · 3 June 2026

Letter from the Secretary of State to the Chair dated 21 May 2026 concerning the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026

From: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee

Summary

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government informs the HCLG Committee that he has requested expedited parliamentary consideration of The Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (Amendment) Order 2026. The statutory instrument implements the Supplementary Vote system for mayoral elections as committed during passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, with implementation required by 19 June 2026 ahead of a possible Greater Manchester mayoral election.

Key findings

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and reintroduces the Supplementary Vote system for Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
Government committed during parliamentary passage to implement the SV system ahead of any future relevant elections after May 2026.
A Greater Manchester mayoral election may be required in the coming months, contingent on the outcome of the Makerfield constituency by-election.
An affirmative Statutory Instrument has been laid today (21 May 2026) to update conduct rules, ballot paper design, postal voting statements, and voter guidance.
The Government requests expedited consideration by JCSI and SLSC during the week of 8 June to achieve parliamentary approval by the 19 June deadline.

Tone

Procedural

Topics

devolutionelectionslocal-governmentstatutory-instrumentselectoral-systems

Key actors

Florence Eshalomi MP, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act

Notable line

“The Government is conscious that there is now a possible scenario in which a Mayoral election may need to be held in Greater Manchester in the coming months …”

Key Quotes

“The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act ('EDCEA'), which received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026, reintroduces the Supplementary Vote ('SV') system for Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.”
— Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP · Explaining the legislative context for the amendment order

“During parliamentary passage of the Act, the Government committed that the return to the SV system would be implemented ahead of any future relevant elections after May”
— Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP · Describing the government's parliamentary commitment

“We are therefore taking action to seek Parliamentary approval to deliver the change to the SV system in all scenarios.”
— Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP · Setting out the rationale for expedited consideration

“In order to make the required updates by 19 June we have today (21 May 2026) laid the affirmative SI.”
— Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP · Explaining the timing of the statutory instrument

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Source · parliament.uk record ↗