10 February 2006
Ministers have been accused of political expediency, amid mounting speculation that decisions have been taken to reorganise local government and delay the 2007 local elections.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has failed to deny suggestions that next year's council elections would be delayed because of a move to unitary government across England.
A spokeswoman told Public Finance: 'Ministers are actively considering the case for reorganisation and that's something they have been very open about.
'While they are considering that case, absolutely no decisions have been taken to go for it, so any suggestions that elections might be scrapped are pure speculation.'
ODPM officials are believed to have told council leaders and chief executives that a move to unitary government across England is on the cards. Consequently, next year's elections will be delayed to avoid selecting councillors who serve just one year.
The moves are thought to be set for inclusion in the white paper being masterminded by David Miliband, the communities and local government minister, and due to be published in June. That would allow for legislation in the next 2006/07 parliamentary session and royal assent in time to cancel the local elections.
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, chair of the Local Government Association, was caught unawares and told PF that he was seeking urgent clarification directly from Miliband. 'We had an assurance from John Prescott in December that we would be consulted before any proposals were brought forward,' he said.
'This is a highly inappropriate way to conduct government. If you are going to change a long-standing electoral cycle, the right thing to do is make a statement to Parliament and talk to the LGA,' Bruce-Lockhart added.
Opposition politicians were quick to condemn the government, accusing it of political expediency.
Eric Pickles, the Conservative local government spokesman, told PF : 'If they have made a decision they should come to Parliament and make an announcement in the proper way, but instead they're doing it by sleight of hand. They're treating it like a management exercise,' he said.
Pickles cited a study by Michael Chisholm, of Cambridge University, which estimated that full-scale reorganisation across England could cost up to £3.5bn. He said ministers had no right to make such costly and far-reaching changes without local referendums.
Sarah Teather, the Liberal Democrats' local government spokeswoman, accused the government of trying to avoid electoral humiliation.
'Labour must not deprive people of their democratic right just because they're doing badly in local government and want to avoid an awkward mid-term election.'
PFfeb2006
