LGIU statement: 2020 Local Elections postponed
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGiU, said:
“We welcome the Government’s announcement today to postpone the local elections due to take place in May. While we regret this scenario, it’s clearly the right decision.
The LGiU along with many across the sector have called for this measure due to fears about capacity to deliver in the midst of a public health crisis.
Of course this does raise difficult questions and it’s important that the Government moves quickly to answer these: what will happen where councilors were due to stand down? What will happen in new authorities that were due to be elected for the first time (like the new councils in Northamptonshire)? What about vacant seats and by-elections?
Elections are a vital part of democracy, but they are not the whole of it. We need elections, but they have to run flawlessly and electoral services in councils across this country have a fantastic record of making that happen. If we can’t guarantee that elections can be delivered securely, safely and accurately. It’s better to postpone and decisive action was needed earlier rather than later.”
