SUMBERG FURY AT BALLOT PAPER CHAOS

North West Conservative MEP David Sumberg is unleashing a furious attack on the Government after it emerged there are major problems delivering ballot papers for the forthcoming elections in the region. (SEE NOTES TO EDITORS)

Mr Sumberg said this is another example of Labour letting families down. He argued Labour is 'getting its comeuppance' for ignoring the Electoral Commission's advice that the North West was not ready for postal voting.

"This complete shambles is utterly disgraceful,' he said. "The Government arrogantly and impetuously forced postal voting on the region - against expert advice - and is now reaping the ill wind of that misjudgement. We are faced with the farcical situation of vast swathes of the region not getting their ballot papers on time. Families going away at the weekend may lose their vote because their papers are delayed. But it is a scandal that the Government has so badly underestimated the logistical difficulties of organising postal voting. It has failed to get the basics right by not allowing enough time for the production and distribution of ballot papers. But the bottom line remains: this appalling cock up could easily have been avoided if the Government had listened to the experts."

Mr Sumberg added the chaos set alarm bells ringing ahead of the referendum on the North West Assembly in October which is also due to be held by postal ballot.

"We cannot allow a repeat of this farce in October,' he said. "A comprehensive and thorough investigation is necessary to find out what has gone wrong here. Sadly that will come too late for many families who may lose their vote."

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Additional Information

BBC ONLINE REPORT
Published: 2004/05/26 12:15:26 GMT

Postal ballot elections 'at risk'

Major problems are emerging with the upcoming all-postal elections in the North West after a printing firm failed to deliver papers in time.

The problem was identified by Warrington Borough Council's returning officer but the difficulties could affect the whole region and beyond.

The BBC has learned a firm contracted to print ballot papers failed to meet a Royal Mail deadline on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has pledged to investigate the delay claims.

Cheshire and Preston are likely to be affected and it is feared the difficulties could be felt in the North East and East Midlands as well.

'Election at risk'

A meeting took place on Tuesday between the Royal Mail, the government and the printing firm, to discuss the situation.

Warrington Council said it is preparing to bring in extra staff to bypass the postal system and deliver papers by hand to individual houses, but there are concerns the papers will not be delivered by the promised deadline of this weekend.

"The whole election could be at risk in parts of the four regions that are having postal ballots," a council source told BBC North West Political Editor Jim Hancock.

The Department for Constitutional Affairs has yet to comment on the issue.

However, Mr Blair told the House of Commons on Wednesday he was "confident" voters will get their ballot papers in time.

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