Government seeks to move date of 2009 local elections » Central government » 24dash.com

Local Government Minister John Healey today announced that the Government will seek Parliament's approval to move the 2009 local elections in England to the same date as the European elections.

The decision follows consultation over the summer which showed overwhelming support for the change, including from the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators and the Local Government Association.

Next year's local elections are currently scheduled for May 7 2009, with the European elections due to take place four weeks later on June 4 2009.

Over three quarters of consultation respondents, including Electoral Administrators and local government felt that this change to the local government election date should be made and that the move had clear benefits.

By avoiding votes on two separate occasions in a month, the 2009 local elections will be more convenient for voters, less costly for the taxpayer and more efficient for administrators.

Local Government Minister John Healey said: "We want to see a modern, efficient and secure electoral system which is as straightforward for the voter as possible.

"Like in 2004, holding local elections alongside the European elections in 2009 could help boost voter turnout and improve the democratic process.

"And avoiding two separate elections within a month will be more convenient for voters, less costly for the taxpayer and more efficient for electoral administrators."

Today's draft order laid in Parliament will be debated and must be approved by both Houses and made no later than November 7 if the change is to made.

It also seeks to address a number of technical matters that were raised during the consultation, such as ensuring that, as in 2004, the European election is administered on local government boundaries.

According to the Electoral Commission, joining the local and European elections in 2004 greatly improved the turnout rate for the European Parliamentary elections, increasing voters from 24% in 1999 to 34.5% in 2004.