THE real threat of a second delay to local elections because of coronavirus has brought a call from some local councillors for a full postal vote to ensure democracy is preserved.

For the second year running, coronavirus looks likely to cause the postponement of scheduled local council elections. Last year elections across the country were cancelled and elected councillors whose time was due to run out were asked to stay on for another year.

Now, with a third national lockdown in force and the clocking ticking down towards 6 May when Thurrock Council elections are due to take place it is being suggested there is another delay to ensure the poll can take place safely.

Thurrock residents are also due to be asked to cast their votes for the position of Police and Fire Commissioner.

Last week the government began contact local councils to seek views on what should be done. In hundreds of elections scheduled across the country more than 40 million people will be entitled to vote.

What appears to be the most likely scenario is that the elections will be put back to the autumn, with October appeared to be a preferred scenario in the regions – though word is that Downing Street would prefer to see the elections put back just one month.

It's not just the issues of voting on one day and the subsequent count that causes concern, elections are likely to bring about significant door-to-door canvassing which health experts fear would create another spike in Covid-19 transmission.

The search for answers from across the country is being driven from Whitehall where a spokesperson said: "Local government leaders have had a suggestion from government that the elections are moved to June or July, but many think that's too soon to ensure polling booths are safe so have mooted the idea of September.

"Holding the elections with postal votes only has been ruled out."

That last point is a matter of some contention among some local politicians.

East Tilbury councillor Fraser Massey, who sits on the authority's general services committee which is a guidepost to managing its affairs, says he thinks a postal vote should be considered.

He told Thurrock Nub News: "Elections will be very different for the next couple of years I suspect. Viruses and knocking on doors etc do not sit well together.

"We have already had a delay with the 2020 elections being cancelled.

"We can't let democracy be delayed again, during the early days of Covid cancelling the election made sense. We have more knowledge now and I would favour a 100 per cent postal vote to allow residents to have their voice heard."

That's view shared by another independent councilor, Gary Byrne, who represents the Homesteads in Stanford-le-Hope.

He is a passionate advocate for an election as early as possible because the ruling Conservative group has a majority based largely on the fact that a number of councilors have defected to its ranks and that they are not true representatives of local people's wishes because they no longer represent the party or principles they were elected on.

He says: "Obviously the opposition and residents want rid of this stolen majority soon as possible.

"We have to be prepared for a vote in May. I would like to see a full postal vote in May but I am not sure it will happen because the Conservatives have nothing to gain from a May election as they have more to lose than anyone, probably their majority in the chamber so I can see why would want the election pushed back."

Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill, leader of the Conservative group, says: "I can start by confirming that I have not been contacted, nor have officers as far as I can tell, by government asking us if they should delay the elections. The only thing we received was from the LGA and their thoughts on delaying it.

"In my opinion the local and PFCC elections should only be held when the government and its professional advisors think it safe to do so, for all residents, using all the methods of voting already available. A good number of residents are uncomfortable with postal voting for many reasons and we have seen in Thurrock where excluded postal votes would have made a difference had they been accepted.

"Pauses to elections, unless resetting the democratic cycle in one go, does not sit comfortably with anyone - voting is a fundamental part of our democratic society.

"Deciding when voting should take place shouldn't be down to what personal or political advantage one group leader or another thinks they may have. It should be whether it is safe to do and not risk further spikes in infections, more restrictions put on local residents and businesses and massively impacting the local or national economy."

Labour group leader Cllr John Kent, who represents the Grays Thurrock ward and is currently one of those serving an additional year says he too wants an election as soon as possible, but he suggests the idea of a full postal vote is more complex than it appears and postponement to October might well be the most viable alternative.

He says of postal voting: "It's not in the council's gift to hold all postal elections - it has to be government and I would be amazed if they allowed it.

"On the prospect of holding elections on the first Thursday in May, I would be surprised if elections do go ahead as planned.

"The logistics of getting hundreds of people through polling stations - some of which are in sheltered complexes - and of bringing many people together to count and verify votes, whilst observing social distancing and keeping everyone safe would be incredibly difficult.

"Before we even get to that point there are tremendous issues around campaigning.

"Simple things like delivering leaflets and knocking on doors is, simply, not allowed at the moment and I don't see candidates being able to do it until April, at the earliest.

"I think the sensible thing to do is to aim for a delay until October and if that isn't possible go for all out elections across all seats next May."