The Labour Party chairman left Sky News’ Trevor Phillips stunned as she repeatedly refused to rule it out.
Anna Turley refused to rule out delaying the next general election (Image: Sky News)
The Labour Party chairman has repeatedly refused to rule out delaying the next general election after scrapping council elections next year. Anna Turley MP left Sky News host Trevor Phillips stunned as she was given repeated opportunities to rule out the idea.
Mr Phillips pointed to this week’s move to scrap up to 63 council elections next year, on top of delaying votes on new mayors. Labour has blamed the delays on reorganisations of local government, prompting the interviewer to ask whether Sir Keir Starmer may find an excuse to avoid going to the polls in 2029. He asked: “If the government were to find that there was some complex reorganisation going on, for example somebody might have pledged to get rid of the House of Lords and they might decide to do that in 2028, might that be a reason to put off a general election in 2028/29?”
Mr Phillips said he was ‘surprised’ by her refusal to rule out a delay (Image: Sky News)
Ms Turley failed to answer the question, insisting there are still a large number of elections taking place next year including in Scotland, Wales and London.
She insisted: “The reality is we’re moving to unitary councils, there’s a huge restructuring of local government and it’s really difficult for them to manage that alongside running elections as well.
“We’ve got a huge programme of elections this May, but the reality is while we’re undertaking the biggest restructuring in a generation it’s really important we give councils the capacity to do this so they don’t keel over.”
Mr Phillips offered to give Ms Turley a second opportunity to rule out delaying the next general election, on behalf of viewers “currently shouting at their television”.
He asked again: “Even if things are difficult and there’s a reorganisation in Westminster – as I say you’ve promised to get rid of the House of Lords – there’s going to be no delay on a general election?”
Ms Turley once again refused to answer his simple question, instead talking about Labour’s pledge to abolish hereditary peers.
The government has delayed yet more council elections next year (Image: Getty)
However she did admit that general elections “always come at the decision of the Prime Minister and that’s the reality of the process we have in this country”.
“I’m looking forward to spending the next couple of years setting out our programme for reform and delivering for the country.”
Mr Phillips pointed out that he was not hearing the Labour chairman categorically say that the government is committed to an election in 2029.
He said it was “surprising” that she could not openly say that the general election will not go beyond the 2029 deadline.
Ms Turley insisted “of course the general election will come”, saying she was “confused” by the suggestion that House of Lords reform would impact on a general election.
On Friday the Electoral Commission condemned the government’s delay of local council elections, branding it illegitimate and concerning.
The watchdog warned: “Voters must have a say on those that represent them at local government. We are disappointed by both the timing and substance of the statement. Scheduled elections should as a rule go ahead as planned, and only be postponed in exceptional circumstances.”
The Labour Chair later insisted on Times Radio that “we will have a General Election by 2029. That won’t change.”
“”I think there was some confusion there. There’s absolutely no change to the General election.”
