'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.

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.