Politics is put off for a year
London mayoral race and local elections pushed back until 2021
‘Extend the isolation period’
BORIS Johnson has postponed May’s local and mayoral elections for a full year due to the virus.
Downing street said it would be impractical to hold the elections on May 7 as planned, as they would come during the peak of the outbreak.
Polls were due in 118 English councils, the London Assembly and for seven English regional mayors. Voting was also due to take place for police and crime commissioners in England and Wales.
They will now take place in May 2021 – meaning sadiq Khan gets another year as London mayor.
on Thursday the Electoral Commission recommended a delay of six months. However yesterday morning Mr Johnson’s spokesman said he hoped the polls would go ahead.
But hours later, the government announced that the Prime Minister had changed his mind and the elections will be held next year.
Mr Johnson was reportedly concerned that voters would be heading to polling stations during the height of the Covid-19 outbreak.
A government spokesman said: ‘We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections until May next year.
‘We will work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same.’ in a letter to government – which was later backed by Labour – the Electoral Commission polling watchdog called for a delay until autumn.
Chief executive Bob Posner highlighted ‘real risks’ over voter turnout and safety, as well as candidates’ ability to campaign.
He wrote: ‘Clearly any decisions to delay elections would not normally be desirable; however, we are in unprecedented times.
‘The risks to delivery that have been identified are such that we cannot be confident that voters will be able to participate in the polls safely, nor that campaigners and parties will be able to put their case to the electorate.
‘We therefore call on the government to take steps to provide early clarity to all those with an interest in the electoral process. We recommend the government now delay the 7 May polls until the autumn.’
And the Association of Electoral Administrators, which represents election chiefs, warned there may not be enough staff to keep all polling stations open due to sickness or self-isolation.
The Cabinet office said it would be bringing forward legislation to enact the delay in England and would work to ensure the Welsh authorities had the same powers.
The decision was welcomed by the Local Government Association (LGA) which had also flagged concerns about the outbreak.
The PM’s move is the most significant delay to polling since Tony Blair suspended the local and general elections in 2001 for a month over the foot and mouth outbreak.
London mayoral candidate rory stewart tweeted: ‘The right decision. We should now move more rapidly to close gatherings, and schools; extend the isolation period; and restrict non-essential visits to care homes (who have few back up options for patients if they have to close.)’
But Liberal Democrat acting leader Ed Davey questioned the length of the extension.
He said: ‘it is the right decision to delay local elections but it is not clear why the government has decided to delay for a year rather than until autumn, as the Electoral Commission advised.’
• Last night Parliament unveiled plans to limit visitor access to both Houses and introduce overseas travel restrictions.
MPs will continue to be able to work on the estate but no new banqueting bookings or commercial tours will be accepted.
But members of the public are still able to watch debates in both chambers and they can still come in for a meeting with their MP if this is arranged.