Asked by: Lord Wasserman (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to postpone the elections of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales set for 6 May as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and if they have such plans, when they expect those elections will take place.
Answered by Lord True - Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
Primary legislation states that the elections will go ahead in May 2021.
We continue to work closely with the electoral and public health bodies to resolve challenges and ensure everyone will be able to cast their vote safely and securely - and in a way of their choosing.
The Government is also bringing forward additional measures to extend the ability to appoint a proxy, so that those that are affected by Covid-19 in the days before the poll are still able to make their voice heard.
Guidance will be published in good time ahead of the polls and this matter will be kept under review. The House will be kept updated.
Asked by: Lord Wasserman (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 23 February (HL5871), whether the activities of Police and Crime Commissioners themselves are subject to a purdah period, and if so, when that period begins in relation to the elections in May.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The pre-election restrictions for Police and Crime Commissioners are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended in 1988. It is permissible for a Police and Crime Commissioner to campaign individually on a political basis, but without recourse to the resources of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity would also apply in these circumstances and covers the full range of Local Authorities (including Police and Crime Commissioners and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime). The purdah period for Police and Crime Commissioners and their offices, like other Local Authorities, begins with the publication of the notice of election by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), which must happen no later than the 25th day before the day of the election, but can be issued at any point before then. PAROs are responsible for deciding on the date on which they will issue the notice of election – they may issue individually, or simultaneously.
Asked by: Lord Wasserman (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the purdah period begins in respect of the forthcoming elections of Police and Crime Commissioners.
Answered by Lord Bridges of Headley
The purdah period for Government departments in respect of the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections will begin on 14 April 2016.