Election go-ahead surprise

THE government’s announcement that local elections in England will go ahead in May despite coronavirus has surprised East Lancashire political leaders.

The elections on May 6 are for Lancashire County Council (LCC), Rossendale borough council, and the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner.

The government will provide £31m nationwide for safety measures including asking voters to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballots.

Lancashire’s Conservative and Labour leaders at LCC have both questioned the decision, and said the polls should be delayed.

County hall leader Coun Geoff Driver said: “My view is the election should be postponed at least until the majority of the population has been vaccinated and protected from this terrible disease.”

Coun Azhar Ali, Labour leader, said: “People’s lives, jobs and health are more important than local elections.”