Local May elections may be postponed

By Susie Watkins

10th Jan 2021 | Local News

Local elections are still due to take place in May, but the government will keep the matter under review, according to the Cabinet Office.

Rumours have been circulating that mayoral and local authority elections could be postponed for a second year in a row because of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the Cabinet Office has confirmed today (January 7) that, at this stage, the government is still intending local elections to go ahead, as planned, on Thursday, May 6.

But a spokesperson cautioned that the matter would be kept "under review", so there is still a chance they could be postponed.

Last year's local elections were postponed to avoid having to send people out to the polls or on the campaign trail, and to allow local authorities to concentrate on the unfolding outbreak.

Another postponement would mean that Bristol City Council's Labour administration and its mayor Marvin Rees would have, not just five years, but as many as six, in office.

The usual term is four years and the current crop of councillors was elected in 2016.

Asked yesterday about the possibility of another postponement of local government elections, Mr Rees said: "All indications are that they're going ahead, and we need them to go ahead.

"They're really important.

"But they need to go ahead in a safe way, they need to be quality elections."

Mr Rees said the council was ensuring people were registered to vote, were aware of postal voting options, proxy voting options and that all polling stations are covid-safe.

Other elections affected by a postponement would include those for the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the West of England Mayor.

Sue Mountstevens is the current PCC in Avon and Somerset and Tim Bowles is the "metro mayor" heading up the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

But both have said they will step down at the end of the municipal year and not seek re-election.

Marvin Rees is the only official contender for the role of Bristol mayor, at this stage, after the Liberal Democrat candidate Mary Page stepped down for personal reasons and the Conservative candidate Samuel Williams threw his hat into the ring for the top job at Weca instead.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "Primary legislation states that the elections will go ahead in May 2021.

"We continue to work closely with the electoral community and public health bodies to resolve challenges and ensure everyone will be able to cast their vote safely and securely – and in a way of their choosing.

"Measures are planned to support absent voting at short notice.

"Guidance will be published in good time ahead of the polls and this matter will be kept under review."

Any elector is able to register to vote by post on demand, if they wish.

The government has already made it clear it does not want to impose an all-postal vote for the elections in May 2021, as it increases the risk of electoral fraud and removes choice from voters who wish to cast their vote in person.

Advice will be provided to Returning Officers to ensure polling stations are safe and covid-secure places to vote and we are, of course, considering options to support voters who are instructed to self-isolate shortly before and on the day of the poll, according to the cabinet office.

"As a responsible government, we keep the situation under constant review," a spokesperson said.

     

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