01 November 2002
London Mayor Ken Livingstone is likely to oppose government plans to combine the 2004 local elections with the European elections because he fears voters could be confused by the number of ballot papers.
Livingstone has voiced concerns that the proposals unveiled by Nick Raynsford could lead to chaos in the capital.
The local government minister issued a consultation paper on October 28 suggesting the postponement of the May 6, 2004 elections for London mayor, the London Assembly and some local authorities.
These would instead be held alongside the European Parliament elections five weeks later, on June 10, 2004, in an attempt to improve the recent dismal turnouts.
But Livingstone is fearful that it could prove too much in London, where voters would have to fill in four separate ballot papers.
His spokeswoman told Public Finance: 'The mayor would have doubts over merging the mayoral and Assembly elections with the European elections, as voters are already presented with a number of different ballot papers when they cast their vote for mayor and Assembly. To introduce another ballot paper for another election at the same time would complicate matters further.
'The mayor will be speaking to the London Assembly regarding their view on the matter.'
Raynsford earlier told Parliament the changes were necessary to tackle the relentless rise in voter apathy. Local elections struggle to achieve a turnout above 30% in many areas. The document also details plans to allow voting on Saturdays and Sundays in the longer term.
'We want to see a modern, efficient electoral system, so that voting for all electors is as convenient and as straightforward as possible,' he said.
Raynsford also gave a clear indication that the draft Local Government Bill would be included in the Queen's Speech, scheduled for November 13.
He said the reforms would require primary legislation and, if approved, would be included as a clause in the bill. He added: 'Our aim would be to put in place any postponement of the 2004 local and GLA elections by autumn 2003.'
For this to happen the bill will have to be laid before Parliament this autumn, at the start of the 2002/03 legislative session.
The consultation will run until January 31, 2003.
PFnov2002
