Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

May 2021 Local Elections: Covid-19

Thursday 17 December 2020 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK Government are working with local returning officers, the Electoral Commission and public health bodies to identify and resolve challenges for the May 2021 local elections.
  • They feel that moving to an all-postal system may compromise the security and integrity of the ballot.
  • Steps are being taken to ensure electoral staff and volunteers are safe, including working with public health organisations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concerns about the May 2021 local elections being held amidst the pandemic, with no clear plan from the government on how to ensure safety and security.

Question

What plans does the Government have to ensure that the May 2021 local elections are covid-19 secure?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

The UK Government are working with local returning officers, the Electoral Commission and public health bodies to identify and resolve the challenges involved in delivering the elections next May.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific plans or measures that have been put in place.

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Q2 Kate Osborne Lab Jarrow and Gateshead East
Democracy & Elections
Context

The MP is questioning why the government has ruled out an all-postal ballot despite the logistical challenges brought about by the pandemic.

Question

Why have the Government ruled out an all-postal ballot and refused to make any legislative changes, as seen in other countries?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank the hon. Lady for pointing out the extreme challenges that exist to ensure that the elections can take place in a covid-secure environment. They are considerable, but they cannot compromise the security and integrity of the ballot, and we feel that by moving to an all-postal system, that may be the case.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide reasons for rejecting other voting methods or legislative changes.

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Q3 Navendu Mishra Lab Stockport
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concerns about the potential shortage of electoral staff due to a significant portion being from vulnerable demographics, without additional funding for election running.

Question

If the Government have refused to provide any more funding for the May 2021 elections, what steps are they taking to ensure that there is not a huge shortage of electoral staff?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

One of the partners we are working with is public health organisations and authorities, and the hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: we want to ensure that everyone, whether they are officers or volunteers, is safe. We also anticipate, for example, that we will have extra demands on postal votes and so forth, and we are determined to ensure that we have the supply to meet that demand.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps taken to address staff shortages.

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Q4 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Democracy & Elections
Context

Concerns about the practical aspects of making polling stations safe for voters, including face coverings and staffing.

Question

Will voters be required to wear face coverings in polling stations? What protections will be put in place for staff? Are steps being taken to ensure adequate staffing?

Answer from Penny Mordaunt

I thank the hon. Lady for raising those issues. Hopefully, we will be in a happier place when the elections arrive because of the vaccination programme, but she raises some important issues. Just as retailers, healthcare settings and so forth have put in place measures to make them covid-secure, whether those are public health-related measures or the enforcement and policing of them, we will do the same at polling stations and at counts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on face coverings requirements or staffing measures.

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