Tory plan to stop local elections in Gloucestershire rejected

Gloucester Liberal Democrats have welcomed the decision that the county council elections in Gloucestershire will go ahead as planned on May 1.

The Government said that elections in some areas of England would be delayed for one year to allow a major reorganisation of local government to take place.

But the elections in Gloucestershire will continue as planned.

Last year the Labour Government’s published its English Devolution White Paper that would see district councils abolished.

In Gloucestershire this would see the six district councils, including Gloucester, axed and potentially replaced by a single unitary authority for the whole county.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, welcomed the decision to proceed with the local elections.

“Stopping the county council elections was a blatant attempt by the Conservative county council leadership to stop voters having their say on their failed administration," the Liberal Democrat councillor said.

“I’m relieved it has failed and democracy should never be put on hold for political convenience.

“I am pleased the county council elections will go ahead on May 1 as planned. The elections should never have been under threat.

“Postponing these elections would have been an insult to local people. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed, and democracy has won the day.

“Postponing the elections was never about  reorganising local government in Gloucestershire - it was a desperate attempt by the Conservatives to cling onto power.

“The rejection of this delay is a victory for accountability and local democracy.

“It’s time to boot this failed administration out of office. May 1 cannot come soon enough.”