Local election cancellations spark fury as shock migrant stats emerge | Politics | News

The councils cancelling local elections in May have seen the sharpest rises in illegal migration, analysis has revealed.

The 12 authorities to call off the ballots have seen a 344% increase in the number of asylum seekers being housed in their counties.

This compares to a much smaller increase of 184% across all of England, and 177% across the entire UK.

Reform UK, which had been hoping to make huge gains in the local elections, seized on the findings, accusing councils of “arrogant cowardice”.

And analysis seen by the Daily Express has revealed the areas calling off local elections in May have seen the sharpest increases in illegal migration.

The 12 authorities to call off the ballots have seen a 344% increase in the number of asylum seekers being housed in their counties.

This compares to a much smaller increase of 184% across all of England, and 177% across the entire UK.

Reform, which had been hoping to make huge gains in the local elections, seized on the findings, accusing councils of “arrogant cowardice”.

Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth said: “Local people do not want illegal migrants roaming their streets.

“It’s dangerous, particularly for women. Is it any surprise that the local politicians who forced this on the population are running from elections? It’s cowardice. Arrogant cowardice.

“We need a zero-tolerance approach. Nobody here illegally stays, nobody who comes illegally stays. Detain, and deport – with no questions asked. This is what local voters want.”

The analysis, by the Centre for Migration Control, revealed Devon, East Sussex Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Kent, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey Warwickshire, West Sussex and Worcestershire have all seen the number of illegal migrants being housed in their areas rocket over the past three years.

In Essex, the number of asylum seekers receiving support has increased from 307 in December 2021 to 2,186 last year – a staggering 712% increase.

In West Sussex, the number receiving taxpayer support has soared from 311 to 1,432, or 460%.

Warwickshire has also seen a 401% increase and Norfolk 307%.

The councils have agreed to ask to be part of the government’s priority programme for devolution, which would mean they could ask to put off county elections for a year.

Robert Bates, Research Director at the Centre for Migration Control said: “Immigration is the most important issue for voters across the country.

“It is unconscionable that politicians should look to avoid the justifiable wrath that they are set to face in May’s elections and are hiding behind obscure rule-changes to avoid accountability.

“Voters in these areas have been unable to avoid the consequences of the disastrous decisions taken by both the Conservative and Labour governments.

“Over the last four years they have seen large numbers of undocumented males housed in their towns and undermining their quality of life – they deserve a chance to pass judgment on the chronic failures of politicians at both a national and local level.”