May local elections placed in doubt amid ‘uncertain times’

THE local elections in England in May, including the London mayoral vote, look set to be the highest profile event to become a casualty of the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the country.

The Electoral Commission, which regulates the running of elections in the UK, demanded that the local elections be postponed, citing that there are “real risks” to holding votes in May.

The last polls to be called off were the 2001 local elections, which were hit by the outbreak of foot-and-mouth dis- ease in cattle.

However, ministers last night insisted that any decision was theirs – and not the Electoral Commission’s – to make and stressed that the local elections were planned to go ahead.

Mayoral, council and police and crime commissioner candidates are all due to contest an election on May 7.

Seats in 118 English local councils are up for grabs along with eight directly elected mayors in England and 40 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales. In the capital there is also voting for seats in the London Assembly alongside the mayoral election.

The independent commission recommended to ministers that the votes should be postponed until the autumn due to the “unprecedented times” surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

In a letter to Chloe Smith, minister for the constitution and devolution, Bob Posner, the commission’s chief executive, said: “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 and confidently, 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; and on the available information and position we recommend the Government now delay the May 7 polls until the autumn.”

However Ms Smith said: “We are working to facilitate the local, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner elections on 7 May. We continue to work closely with those delivering the elections, while being guided by the evidence and latest advice from medical experts.”

A Cabinet Office source said the Government was reviewing any implications for the delivery of public services due to the coronavirus outbreak on an ongoing basis.

A slew of other events were called off yesterday as the Government warned that the crisis might not peak for another 14 weeks. Labour said that it was cancelling its leader and deputy leadership “special conference” to members of the public – it will now take place behind closed doors at a “scaled-back event”.

The Liberal Democrat Party cancelled its spring conference earlier this week.

Last night the Conservatives declined to say whether the party would cancel its spring conference on April 3-4. Plaid Cymru cancelled its spring conference which was due to take place next weekend in Llangollen.

There were fears last night for the finale of the Eurovision Song Contest, due to take place in Rotterdam in the Netherlands in two months’ time.

The Who – who had been due to kick off their 2020 tour at the Manchester Arena on March 16 – also postponed their UK tour due to the outbreak.