Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Postponement of electoral events

19 March 2020 · Cabinet Office

Proposed by Chloe Smith Con Norwich North

Democracy & Elections

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

View on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Postponement of scheduled local, mayoral, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic
  • Measures within the Coronavirus Bill will postpone these elections until May 2021
  • Government supports Returning Officers who decide to suspend any polls scheduled between now and Royal Assent

Issue summary

The statement addresses the postponement of scheduled local, mayoral, and Police and Crime Commissioner elections due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Action requested

Measures within the Coronavirus Bill will be brought forward to postpone these elections until May 2021. The Government supports Returning Officers who decide to suspend any polls scheduled between now and Royal Assent.

Key facts

  • Elections originally scheduled for May 7, 2020 in England and Wales are postponed by one year.
  • Terms of current elected representatives will be extended until May 6, 2021.
  • The Bill will be introduced to Parliament to postpone other electoral events over the course of the year.
  • Provisions include specific circumstances for new unitary councils in Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.
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