'Concerns' lead to regional assembly postal voting reschedule

Referendums on elected regional assemblies in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber have been rescheduled following Parliamentary concerns over postal voting, the government has announced today.

The government will now consider a report from the Electoral Commission on all-postal ballots – expected to be published late next month – before announcing new timings for the two referendums. Referendums in the North East will go ahead on 4 November.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said the vote would be rescheduled at the earliest opportunity.

"It is crucial that the referendums are held against a background of confidence in the voting system. That is why we have taken this decision," he said.

On the back of today's postponement, the Tories accused the government of "burying bad news" - as the announcement came the before the Commons goes into recess for the summer holidays.

Shadow Regions Secretary Bernard Jenkin said that the move was a "deeply embarrassing retreat" for the government.

He added: "From the start Mr Prescott's regions plans have been shambolic. With his own party completely split over the assemblies, Mr Prescott is now playing fast and loose with dates and rules- in the meantime effectively crippling local government in these regions as the threat of the removal of their powers hangs over them."

The government's decision was made as the draft Bill on the proposed powers and responsibilities of elected regional assemblies were published today.

Mr Prescott said the Bill demonstrated the government's commitment to the elected regional assembly agenda.

"Elected regional assemblies will have the power to make a real difference to people's lives," he said.

"The draft Bill and accompanying policy statement make this clear."

(gmcg)