London mayoral election delayed for one year over coronavirus
The London mayoral election and all local and mayoral elections in England have been postponed for a year because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Electoral Commission yesterday called for local and mayoral UK elections to be delayed until the autumn to “mitigate” the spread of coronavirus.
The London election was due to take place on 7 May, with incumbent Sadiq Khan facing off against Tory rival Shaun Bailey and independent candidate Rory Stewart among others.
But the electoral watchdog wrote to the government yesterday to recommend all May polls are delayed. It said such a measure would “mitigate the impact on voters, campaigners and electoral administrators”.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson confirmed mayoral and local elections would not go ahead until May 2021. They said:
We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections until May next year. We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same.
London mayor Khan said yesterday he would not seek to change the date of the London election.
Today he vowed to help London through the coronavirus crisis as London’s number of infections rose to 136.
‘I will stand up for London’
“The government has taken the decision to postpone the May elections for a year,” Khan said.
“I will continue to work with the government and experts to help London manage coronavirus over the weeks and months ahead. I will always do everything in my power to stand up for London.”
The UK posted its largest rise in coronavirus cases so far overnight. It counted 208 new infections this morning to bring the UK total to 798.
‘Right decision’ to delay
Rory Stewart welcomed the move, calling it “the right decision”.
He added: “The right decision. We should now move more rapidly to close gatherings, and schools; extend the isolation period; and restrict non-essential visits to care homes (who have few back up options for patients if they have to close.)”
‘We must listen to the experts’
Tory mayor candidate Shaun Bailey said it was right to follow medical guidance on coronavirus and delay the London mayoral election.
He said: “I have said from the offset that we must listen to the experts and follow their advice. This decision will not have been made lightly but it would have been in accordance with expert counsel and guidance.
“The health and welfare of the public is critical and there should be no barriers to people exercising their democratic right.”
“I’ll spend the next 12 months campaigning to make London safe,” he added.
‘Unprecedented times’
Lib Dem candidate Siobhan Benita said these were “unprecedented times which require unprecedented action”.
“Nobody would have wished the postponement of these elections in these circumstances. I respect the government’s decision to delay and I will continue to follow the expert advice as the situation progresses,” she added.
“I have already offered my personal and party support to Sadiq over the coming months.
“Suporting the most vulnerable during this period is crucial and I would encourage Londoners that are able to help to look out for their friends, family and neighbours at this difficult time.”
The government outlined new tactics to delay the spread of coronavirus yesterday. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson declined to ban large scale gatherings as part of those measures.
However, today saw industry event Innovate Finance cancelled over coronavirus concerns. And the Premier League and English Football League have cancelled fixtures until at least early April amid infections in the football world.