Local elections to go ahead in England

It has been reported that local elections in England will go ahead as planned in May, despite doubts from local authorities over whether it would be right to do so.

Government sources are quoted as saying that council, mayoral, and police and crime commissioner elections will take place with some additional safety measures in place, such as asking voters to bring their own pen or pencil to mark their ballots.

This is on top of the compulsory wearing of masks in polling stations and divider screens and sanitisers on hand. It is believed that £70 million will be made available to make polling stations Covid-secure.

Doubts were voiced over whether enough suitable venues can be booked at a time when many are being used as vaccine centres, as well as about whether enough staff will be found to ensure elections can proceed smoothly.

Amongst others, the Liberal Democrats have expressed concern that restrictions on doorstep campaigning, including door-to-door leafleting, disadvantage smaller parties who rely on activists to get their vote out.