Local Elections: Cancellation Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Lord Hayward
Main Page: Lord Hayward (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Hayward's debates with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
(1 day, 9 hours ago)
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Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab)
There is clear precedent for postponing local elections where local government reorganisations are in progress. It can prevent costly and distracting elections for short-term posts that may soon be abolished. For example, between 2019 and 2022, the previous Government postponed elections in Buckinghamshire, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Somerset, and Weymouth and Portland. This responsibility has been delegated by Parliament to the Secretary of State.
Lord Hayward (Con)
My Lords, on Monday at 5.38 pm, the Minister gave details of letters that had been sent to four councils—Norfolk, Essex, Southampton and Oxford—and said that they were expected to reply by 10 am the next day, indicating their views. The Minister was asked just now about the timetable that is being followed. Given that we are now well beyond the limited timetable that was given to those four councils, why is it not possible for the Government to give a timetable on which they will take a decision for those who are entitled to a vote on 7 May?