Devon leaders push back against proposal to postpone local elections

Devon County Councillors will meet this Friday (9 January) to debate the Government’s proposal to delay local elections in some areas this year.

The proposal, announced last month, would allow elections to be postponed in up to 64 councils across England. 

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Devon County Council has criticised the proposal and described it as undemocratic.

Council leader Julian Brazil said cancelling elections would deny people the chance to vote.

“Cancelling the opportunity for people to have their say in elections is right out of the Putin school of politics,” he said.

He added: “Government ministers are putting political self-interest first, rather than democracy.”

The Government has said the delay is due to concerns about the “capacity to deliver a smooth and safe transition to new councils, alongside running resource-intensive elections to councils who may be shortly abolished”.

Councillor Brazil said councils are already used to holding elections.

“The Government says delaying elections will free up resources to work on reorganisation, but councils, in Devon, that’s Plymouth City Council and Exeter City Council, have elections almost every year,” he said.

“They are routine and resourced for, unlike reorganisation, which is rushed, wastes millions of pounds, and disrupts services.”

Plymouth City Council confirmed before Christmas that its elections will still take place in May.

“Councillors are elected to office for a specific term and should not seek to extend that without a mandate,” Councillor Brazil said.

“Plymouth councillors have done the right thing in holding true to their electorate. It would be a disgrace if Exeter residents were deprived of the chance to choose who represents them in the Civic Centre.”

County councillors from all political groups will discuss the issue at a special full council meeting at County Hall in Exeter. Some councillors attending are also Exeter City Councillors.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, leader of the Green and Independent Group, said:

“Democracy, which lies at the heart of managing our public services, can only be truly representative through a fair election process. 

“Changing the rules to suit a government’s whim undermines public faith in politics. These elections in Exeter and Plymouth need to go ahead as scheduled.”

Councillor Michael Fife-Cook, leader of the Reform group, said:

“The first duty of any government in a civilised country is to govern with the will and respect of the people. That can only happen when those in power have the courage to ask the public who they wish to lead them.”

He added: “If those in power decide when the public should be asked, then we are no longer living in a democracy.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, leader of the Conservative group, said:

“I stand firmly with Councillor Brazil on this matter. The elections need to go ahead. There is no justification for postponing them and denying citizens their democratic right.”

The meeting will take place in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Exeter, from 11am.