NOW POLITICS PUT ON HOLD
Local elections could be pushed to autumn ++ Brexit talks on hold
THE local elections planned for May could be postponed after the Electoral Commission said that there were ‘real risks’ from the coronavirus pandemic.
The independent body recommended to ministers that the ballot be put off until autumn due to the ‘unprecedented times’ surrounding the outbreak.
Next week’s UK-EU trade talks have also been cancelled as a result of the coronavirus crisis, while the Labour Party has called off an event to announce who will succeed Jeremy Corbyn as its leader.
Mayoral, council and police and crime commissioner candidates are all due to contest local elections across the country on May 7. In a letter to constitution minister Chloe Smith, the
Electoral Commission said a decision on whether to postpone the votes is needed soon before local authorities carry out any further preparations.
Commission chief executive Bob Posner wrote: ‘Clearly any decisions to delay elections which are due is significant and 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 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.’
On Wednesday night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he expected that the elections would still go ahead.
It comes as Brexit negotiations have also been cancelled amid the virus panic. Negotiators from both sides were due to meet in London to thrash out the details of the trade deal next week.
The British side has insisted that, despite the delay, the transition period will not be extended beyond the end of December.
A joint statement said: ‘Given the latest Covid-19 developments, UK and EU negotiators have today jointly decided not to hold next week’s round of negotiations in London, in the form originally scheduled. Both sides are currently exploring alternative ways to continue discussions, including if possible the use of video conferences.’
Yesterday, Labour’s general secretary wrote to all the party’s MPs to tell them the special leadership conference – planned for April 4 – was being cancelled.
Jennie Formby said it would be replaced with a ‘scaled-back event’ on the same day.
John McDonnell, the Shadow Chancellor, said the results would be announced ‘through a TV event or social media’.
Sir Keir Starmer is the frontrunner in the leadership race, ahead of rivals Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long- Bailey. Angela Rayner is expected to win the deputy contest.
The next official party hustings for Labour leader and deputy leader candidates was set to take place in London tomorrow, but it will now not go ahead.