'Bristol needs yearly elections'
A move is being made to end Bristol's local elections every year.
One-third of the council's 70 seats are contested each June.
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But Labour councillors want to change the system so we have all-out elections every four years.
Labour leader Helen Holland said: "This is an opportunity for Bristol to end the confusion of multiple elections and uncertainty over who runs Bristol every year.
"Our neighbouring councils have all-out elections and, if we are to work more closely together and with our neighbours, holding our elections at the same time makes sense.
"Voters in Bristol have told us they find the current system confusing and unfair. Now we have the opportunity to change that. It is time to let all Bristol decide.
"We are asking the other parties on the council to implement a policy which has already been agreed in principle.
"If we miss the opportunity now, we'll be stuck with this out-dated system until at least 2015."
Government legislation now allows councils to change the system from "one-third" elections each year to "whole council" elections every four years.
Labour have tabled a motion at this month's full council meeting to make the switch to all-out elections.
If the motion is passed, they could take effect from May 2011. A two-thirds majority of councillors is required to vote for the change.
The final decision rests with the Electoral Commission, a Government body based in London.
The council passed a motion six years ago in favour of all-out elections when the commission held consultations on local elections.
Other councils in the former Avon area – North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and BANES – hold all-out elections every four years.
3 Comments
by M.A. Abdullahi, Bristol, Eastville
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 1:51PM
“Its is a good idea to have an election once in every 4 years. in order to reduce the heavy work of elections. Therefore, I support this idea.
Regards,
Mohamoud Abdullahi”
by F W, Bristol
Saturday, July 04 2009, 10:54AM
“So, Labour - having just been totally crushed in the elections less than one month ago - suddenly feel the need to change the electoral system. How very convenient for them!
This sudden desire by the other parties to change the electoral system wouldnt have anything to do with the Lib Dems winning a majority for the first time, would it?”
by Bonneville Lover, St Paul's
Friday, July 03 2009, 8:27PM
“Great idea at least it will reduce the large amounts of electioneering claptrap that drop through the letterbox. No doubt the claims made by incumbents will be even more exaggerated than at present as they will be hoping we will not remember the previous 4 years lamentable perfomance. Pace John Rogers who claimed in his recent pamphlets that he had sorted out the rubbish situation in St Paul's. Heaven knows where & what he had done as the week this leaflet flopped onto the door mat I rang the council to report 7 different piles of rubbish from mattresses to a bedstead dumped all aroupnd the area. If I were more proactive i would be ringing daily as the situation is that bad.”