Local elections could be postponed until June
Plans to postpone the local elections until June because of the coronavirus crisis are under discussion by ministers, The Telegraph understands.
The Government is ramping up contingencies to delay the "Super Thursday" polls to elect English councillors, mayors, police and crime commissioners and London Assembly members.
The elections are currently scheduled for May 6, a date laid down in law that would have to be altered to formally change the plan.
There are concerns that the prevalence of Covid cases and the restrictions needed to reduce the spread of the virus could curb candidates' ability to campaign in the run-up.
A source familiar with the Government's planning told The Telegraph that this problem, rather than the viability of creating a Covid-secure environment on polling day, is behind the proposals to delay.
"They are looking at a Thursday in June. It's not about election day. People keep saying you can have a safe election day. The view, which I think is legitimate, is you do need to have a campaign," the source said.
"People who are involved in politics want to go out and campaign. You need four to six weeks of people campaigning, knocking on doors and delivering leaflets. The question is, when will that be safe?"
The rollout of the Covid vaccine and easing of restrictions, plus projections of NHS intensive care unit capacity and virus case rates, are among the factors in the Government's calculations.
The Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith told the Commons on Wednesday that work was ongoing to allow voters to cast their ballots in a "Covid-secure way" but echoed Boris Johnson in acknowledging that the date of the polls would be kept "under review".
"Any change would require very careful consideration, including by this House, and need to be based on robust evidence," she said. "There should be a high bar for any delay." Some elections have already been delayed by a year due to coronavirus, she pointed out, adding: "Voters have a right to be heard and to decide who governs them."
Cat Smith, the Labour shadow Cabinet Office minister, suggested a lack of preparation could force people to "choose between their health and their right to vote".
The Scottish Parliamentary and Welsh Assembly elections are also scheduled for May 6. Reports have emerged that government officials from across the UK have discussed taking a joint decision to delay the polls until the same Thursday in June.
Sir Keir Stamer, the Labour leader, would accept a delay, his spokesman said this week, but warned that would be evidence of "failure of proper preparedness". Labour has also accused the Conservatives of chasing a "vaccine bump" by postponing the polls.
While any voter can register to cast their ballot by post if they wish, the Government is against imposing postal votes on all electors for the forthcoming polls. Ministers believe it would increase the risk of fraud and remove choice from voters who wish to cast their ballot in person.
Guidance will be sent to returning officers to ensure polling stations are safe and compliant with coronavirus regulations. Thought is also being given to how voters who are instructed to self-isolate shortly before or on the day of the elections will be able to cast a ballot.
On Thursday night, Downing Street sources played down the prospect of the elections being postponed until June.
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: "Legislation provides that the elections will go ahead in May 2021. We continue to work closely with the electoral community 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.
"Measures are planned to support absent voting at short notice. Guidance will be published in good time ahead of the polls, and this matter will be kept under review."
