The Newington Ward by-election tomorrow (March 19) has now been cancelled.
A Thanet council statement says: “Following concerns raised by Thanet and other councils over the legal requirement to hold elections during the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re expecting Government to announce that planned elections should be cancelled. An assurance has also been received that no legal action will be taken against Returning Officers for cancelling elections.
“This means that the Newington by-election will not be taking place tomorrow (Thursday 19 March).”
Local elections scheduled for May 7 and the London mayoral election have been postponed for a year to deal with the coronavirus outbreak. The government made the decision to push back the poll after the Electoral Commission said the health crisis would have an impact on campaigning and voting.
She has a duty to people right now
Shows her lack of care
Plus she is going against government guidelines
Sack her
Once the postal votes start the process is running and the clock ticking – I suspect it would be quite difficult to suspend. However, the decision is entirely down to the Returning Officer, which yet again is the CE of TDC, Madeline Homer. Any complaints should be addressed directly to her.
If Shonksy gets back in, its due to Karon Constantine resigning, and could cost the Labour leadership of the council! Funny how no other Labour councillors agreed with her about the Budget!
A totally unnecessary Council by-election if the facts are correct and County Councillor Constantine resigned because of disagreements on the proposed Council budget put forward by the Labour minority administration. If this is the reason maybe County Councillor Constantine should pay for the administrative costs of the by-election to be held tomorrow otherwise it will fall on the Council taxpayers to fund her decision to walk away!
By-election now cancelled!