Brexit and election timing
John Brassil asks what a delay to UK withdrawal would mean for the European and local elections. The Minister says both elections will go ahead and the legislation is already before the House, though Brexit timing could affect seat allocations.
It looks increasingly unlikely that the March deadline for the UK's withdrawal from the EU will be met. What impact will this have on the European elections in May? Consequently, what impact might it have on the local elections due to be held in this country on the same date, given the number of MEPs who will be directly affected by whether the UK will be part of the EU?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for his question. Legislation to amend the European constituencies and to allow for the additional seats to be filled in the European elections due to happen at the end of May is before us. These elections will happen at the same time as the local elections. Both of these elections will go ahead regardless of what happens in the Brexit conversations going on at the moment. If there is a delay in the UK withdrawing from the EU, it will have an effect on the number of seats to be filled in the elections in May. We do not think that will be the case, but if it were, we would bring forward new measures at that time.