A councillor has revealed plans to resign after his local authority cancelled its elections in May.
Simon Ring, an independent sitting on Norfolk County Council, has chosen to force a by-election so voters can have their say over whether he should stay in his post.
He said: “I will resign as a Norfolk County Councillor in May. The Government has once again delayed the Norfolk County Council elections, denying residents their democratic right to choose their representatives.
“I was elected to serve for a defined term — not to remain in office indefinitely without the consent of the people.
“I cannot, in all conscience, continue as a county councillor beyond May when voters have once again been denied their say. This has not been an easy decision.
“I am proud to represent the people of Freebridge Lynn, and I remain deeply committed to the community I serve. That is exactly why I believe this is the right thing to do.”
Councillor Ring branded the Government’s decision to postpone local elections ‘disgraceful’
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FACEBOOK/SIMON RING
Councillor Ring added he “fully intends” to stand in the by-election that would be triggered by his resignation.
He continued: “When elections are delayed, accountability is weakened and trust is damaged.
“I am calling on all Norfolk County Councillors, regardless of party, to consider their own position and to stand with residents by doing the same.”
Following Labour’s announcement confirming its May elections would be postponed by one year, Norfolk County Council leader, Councillor Kay Mason Billig, said: “The Government has decided that our elections won’t take place this year, so that we have time and capacity to deliver devolution and local government reorganisation.
“We note the Government’s decision and will now focus on continuing our detailed work to deliver both these major changes, alongside our partners in the district and borough councils and also with our colleagues in Suffolk.”
Ministers asked 63 councils in England last month if they wanted to delay their elections so they could bed in a local government shake-up, affecting millions of voters.
Under the plans, two-tier councils will be combined into single unitary authorities.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has said streamlining councils will “eliminate confusion and duplication” to allow more cash to be spent on “things the public want”.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed told MPs last week: “To those who say we’ve cancelled all the elections, we haven’t.
Steve Reed confirmed last week 29 council elections due to take place in May will be postponed
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PA“To those who say it’s all Labour councils, it isn’t. I’ve asked, I’ve listened, and I’ve acted.
“No messing about, no playing politics, just getting on with the job of making local government work better for local people.”
Shadow Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary James Cleverly accused Mr Reed of “putting pressure on councils” to cancel their elections and argued that it is due to “the Labour Party’s collapse in the opinion polls”.
Reform UK is taking legal action against the MHCLG over the delayed elections.