Tuffley by-election will not be postponed

An upcoming by-election in Gloucester will not be postponed despite the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Gloucester City Council published the notice of election for the Tuffley ward just a few hours before the death of the UK’s longest reigning monarch on September 8.

Campaigning by political parties has been suspended during the ten days of mourning but the election date will not be postponed and will go ahead as planned on October 13.

The Electoral Commission informed the council that electoral law does not make any provision for proceedings to be stopped or amended in the circumstances of the Queen’s death.

A statement from the returning officer said: “Any decisions by political parties to suspend campaigning out of respect will not affect the election timetable. Dates in the timetable could be affected by the appointed day of mourning, however, it doesn’t look like this will affect our timetable at present, but we will inform candidates and agents if it does.”

The Liberal Democrats had asked for the polling day to be postponed by two weeks but were informed it would not be possible.

Group leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said: “The notice of an election for the Tuffley ward was published just a few hours before the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II.

“Gloucester Liberal Democrats immediately suspended political campaigning out of respect. The next day, I contacted the returning officer to ask for polling day to be postponed by two weeks.

“I am told it cannot be delayed as there is no law that can be used to change polling day, which will be October 13. Postal votes will be issued shortly after the funeral.”

Council leader and Conservative group chief Richard Cook (C, Kingsway) said his party has also suspended campaigning and also asked if it would be possible to postpone the by-election.

“When we made enquiries we found that it wasn’t. As a result it condenses the electioneering period.

“We had no choice because of the sad death of the Queen but it’s absolutely right to not do any campaigning during the period of mourning.

“That’s what happened last year when the Duke of Edinburgh died but at least one party campaigned during that period although they constantly denied that they were doing so.”

He said campaigning will resume at 8am on the day after the Queen’s funeral.

Labour has also suspended their campaigning for the by-election until after the Queen’s funeral which is on September 19.

Councillor Terry Pullen (L, Moreland) said: “Following the sad death of Her Majesty the Queen and out of respect for the Royal Family, Gloucester Labour Party has suspended all campaigning for the Tuffley by-election until after the Queen’s funeral.

“We are pleased that the date of the by-election is unchanged and will take place on October 13 and we look forward to resuming political campaigning activity once the official period of mourning is over.”

The by-election was triggered following the death of much-loved former mayor Colin Organ.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk