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Post by justlooking on Aug 5, 2020 18:55:35 GMT
There seems to be a great urge to get everyone to spend their money, but not to cast their vote.
Has there been any news about the return of democracy?
When are we likely to see any council elections?
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Aug 5, 2020 18:57:42 GMT
As it stands the first elections after the crisis will be three Scottish local byelections due on 1 October:
Aberdeenshire: Ellon and District (SNP)
Orkney Islands: North Isles (Ind)
West Lothian: Livingston South (SNP)
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Post by justlooking on Aug 5, 2020 19:00:15 GMT
As it stands the first elections after the crisis will be three Scottish local byelections due on 1 October: Aberdeenshire: Ellon and District (SNP) Orkney Islands: North Isles (Ind) West Lothian: Livingston South (SNP) Anything for England or Wales? |
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Aug 5, 2020 19:04:45 GMT
The outstanding local byelections in Wales are supposed to take place between 1 February and 16 April 2021.
In England the next local elections will be the Corporation of London Common Council in March 2021. No other local elections before the ordinary day - 6 May 2021 - at which I think practically everyone in the country is voting something.
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Post by justlooking on Aug 5, 2020 19:08:46 GMT
The outstanding local byelections in Wales are supposed to take place between 1 February and 16 April 2021. In England the next local elections will be the Corporation of London Common Council in March 2021. No other local elections before the ordinary day - 6 May 2021 - at which I think practically everyone in the country is voting something. So in case I have misunderstood you, have all forms of council elections in England been suspended until 6th May 2021 ? (bar the London common council) |
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Post by justlooking on Aug 5, 2020 19:13:00 GMT
That would mean 413 days between council elections in England, has there been a longer period in the past?
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J.G.Harston
Lib Dem
Leave-voting Brexit-supporting Liberal Democrat
Posts: 14,772 
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Post by J.G.Harston on Aug 5, 2020 19:33:23 GMT
No other local elections before the ordinary day - 6 May 2021 - at which I think practically everyone in the country is voting something. Not me if the North Yorkshire Unitary thing goes ahead. I've already thrown away artwork for my summer Focus as I have no idea what is going to happen. |
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Post by swanarcadian on Aug 5, 2020 19:51:08 GMT
That would mean 413 days between council elections in England, has there been a longer period in the past? Not since the Second World War. |
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Post by greenhert on Aug 5, 2020 20:23:03 GMT
Other countries have shown they can conduct elections well enough despite the coronavirus crisis; there is no reason why Britain cannot.
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Tony Otim
Green
Suffering from Brexistential Despair
Posts: 11,901
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Post by Tony Otim on Aug 5, 2020 21:19:29 GMT
No other local elections before the ordinary day - 6 May 2021 - at which I think practically everyone in the country is voting something. Not me if the North Yorkshire Unitary thing goes ahead. I've already thrown away artwork for my summer Focus as I have no idea what is going to happen. North Yorkshire will still have an election for PCC, no? |
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Post by justlooking on Aug 6, 2020 6:53:35 GMT
Other countries have shown they can conduct elections well enough despite the coronavirus crisis; there is no reason why Britain cannot. I think the only reason might be the feared results.  |
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peterl
Green
Congratulations President Trump
Posts: 8,473
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Post by peterl on Aug 6, 2020 10:29:36 GMT
There is going to be a review of the Coronavirus Act by September 25th. Some members have expressed the view in the past when this matter has been discussed that there is some possibility of the restoration of by elections following this.
If the government think things will be better for them by next May, they have another think coming. The virus may be more under control by then, but there will be a full blown recession on, and significant losses for the Tories seem certain.
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The Bishop
Labour
Down With Factionalism!
Posts: 38,925
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Post by The Bishop on Aug 6, 2020 10:46:00 GMT
The outstanding local byelections in Wales are supposed to take place between 1 February and 16 April 2021. In England the next local elections will be the Corporation of London Common Council in March 2021. No other local elections before the ordinary day - 6 May 2021 - at which I think practically everyone in the country is voting something. So in case I have misunderstood you, have all forms of council elections in England been suspended until 6th May 2021 ? (bar the London common council) No, that is not confirmed yet. But the longer the present stasis continues, the more likely it is that will actually be the case. |
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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Aug 6, 2020 11:16:52 GMT
It is the law at present (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/395/pdfs/uksi_20200395_en.pdf) but it remains possible the government will alter it.
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J.G.Harston
Lib Dem
Leave-voting Brexit-supporting Liberal Democrat
Posts: 14,772
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Post by J.G.Harston on Aug 6, 2020 17:12:25 GMT
Not me if the North Yorkshire Unitary thing goes ahead. I've already thrown away artwork for my summer Focus as I have no idea what is going to happen. North Yorkshire will still have an election for PCC, no? Election-type event.... |
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peterl
Green
Congratulations President Trump
Posts: 8,473
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Post by peterl on Aug 12, 2020 17:12:38 GMT
Incidentially, there is a requirement for a report to be laid before Parliament every two months on the status of the various provisions of the Coronavirus Act. In relation to elections, the most recent report dated July 31st, stated as follows
"All scheduled Police and Crime Commissioner and local elections and other unscheduled local polls have been postponed until May 2021. It was not possible to hold local elections in May 2020 owing to the pandemic restrictions; postponement has enabled local authorities to concentrate on delivering their contribution to the pandemic response. Powers to postpone unscheduled local elections (such as by-elections) until May 2021 allow for some such local by-elections and other local polls to be held earlier than May 2021 if circumstances allow; this is kept under review."
So a confirmation there that the by election ban will be reviewed and will not nessecarily last until May.
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ricmk
Lib Dem
Posts: 2,619
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Post by ricmk on Aug 12, 2020 17:33:17 GMT
Incidentially, there is a requirement for a report to be laid before Parliament every two months on the status of the various provisions of the Coronavirus Act. In relation to elections, the most recent report dated July 31st, stated as follows "All scheduled Police and Crime Commissioner and local elections and other unscheduled local polls have been postponed until May 2021. It was not possible to hold local elections in May 2020 owing to the pandemic restrictions; postponement has enabled local authorities to concentrate on delivering their contribution to the pandemic response. Powers to postpone unscheduled local elections (such as by-elections) until May 2021 allow for some such local by-elections and other local polls to be held earlier than May 2021 if circumstances allow; this is kept under review." So a confirmation there that the by election ban will be reviewed and will not nessecarily last until May. The wording in bold is interesting. It suggests that by-elections could be allowed in certain areas but not others. Could be based on how important the vacancies are (Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole might top the list) how few cases there are of COVID-19 in the area, whether the Conservatives are expected to win etc. It just strikes me as very odd wording - and seems like an administrative nightmare with the Gvt deciding who can hold early by-elections. But that is how I read the wording, unless others see it differently? |
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peterl
Green
Congratulations President Trump
Posts: 8,473
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Post by peterl on Aug 12, 2020 19:05:03 GMT
I would sincerly hope that who is likely to win would not be a factor, but rather it would either be anywhere with a low case count or else it would be a matter of a selection to basically pilot what special measures might be neded next year (e.g. socially distanced counts). It will be difficult if different arrangements are needed next summer and there has been no oppertunity to try them out, which could well be what ultimatly gets by elections going again.
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Post by manchesterman on Aug 12, 2020 20:38:46 GMT
I cant see any practical reason why elections cant take place with 100% postal voting. zero danger to health and vacancies can be filled ensuring local people are being represented properly.
I appreciate that's not what the law says as it stands, just my opinion on how to get things moving again
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Post by bjornhattan on Aug 12, 2020 20:39:47 GMT
I cant see any practical reason why elections cant take place with 100% postal voting. zero danger to health and vacancies can be filled ensuring local people are being represented properly. I appreciate that's not what the law says as it stands, just my opinion on how to get things moving again How would the count be conducted? |
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