Election delays - Prime Minister must return to chamber after he "dodged question" at PMQs

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the Prime Minister's refusal to directly answer a question from Lib Dem MP Will Forster at PMQs, who asked for a "cast-iron guarantee" that voters across the country won't lose their right to vote in May for a second year in a row, Liberal Democrat Local Government Spokesperson Zöe Franklin said:

“The Prime Minister should have had the decency to tell voters whether their elections will be delayed by another year, but he dodged the question.

"This is a disgraceful stitch up between Labour and the Conservatives, who are running scared of the voters. The Prime Minister should return to the chamber immediately and clarify what he's agreed with Conservative council leaders.

“Democracy delayed is democracy denied.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Follows reporting by the Times.

Will Forster's PMQ (check against delivery):

The Times has reported that local elections across the country will be delayed for the second year in a row.

The leader of my local authority, Surrey County Council, has had to go on record to say that ours will not be cancelled, but other Conservatives clearly have.

Mr Speaker, can the Prime Minister give a cast iron guarantee that my constituents in Woking, and others across the country, will not lose their democratic right to vote?