Coronavirus: Disappointment in Wigan as election postponed

The local elections which were due to take place on May 7 across the UK have been rescheduled to May 2021, as the Covid-19 outbreak continues to spread rapidly.

Councillors who were weeks away from stepping down, and those who were preparing for a re-election campaign will serve another 12 months.

Meanwhile, rivals hoping to use December’s shock general election result as a springboard for more political upset, also look likely to lose their momentum.

Coun John Hilton was due to stand down after representing Aspull, New Springs and Whelley for 34 years. He was looking forward to travelling and spending more time with his family.

“I’m not well pleased. I’ve done 34 years and now I might be confined to another 12 months,” he said.

“I had everything planned out for finishing, I had my holidays booked and had places to go, it looks like I’m going to have to cancel. Everything has to be put on hold.”

He added: “I am 80 now so I might be self-isolating shortly as well, so it’s a bit of a body blow when you’ve worked for so long like I have. [The council] has had their pound of flesh.”

Coun Hilton said he was hoping to meet with council leader David Molyneux in the coming days to discuss his options.

Luke Marsden, former Big Brother star, was contesting Coun Hilton’s to-be-vacated seat as a Conservative candidate. While frustrated, he said residents’ health was paramount.

He said: “It’s completely the right decision by the Government. I think 12 months’ delay was a little surprising, most people maybe thought Autumn, but I completely understand the rationale.

“Naturally for myself and for my campaign, I was a little disappointed. I felt I was gaining real momentum. Speaking to people on the doorstep, it was clear they did want change. Unfortunately they will have to wait 12 months, everyone’s health and safety is the priority. This is an unprecedented global pandemic that nobody could’ve seen coming, so the appropriate action has been taken.”

Freelance photographer Dave Hurst, who was to make a fresh bid to get onto Wigan Council representing Labour in Worsley Mesnes, said: “The news that the election was going to be put off for a year was a bit of a shock.

“I thought it might be delayed by a few months but not 12. It is a disappointment but there’s not a lot we can do about it. These are the circumstances and we have to live with them. We will be back in 12 months’ time to try again.”

Had he been successful, he would’ve replaced Coun Phil Kelly, who said: “I’m glad it’s only for 12 months. The reason I was standing down was because I didn’t want to do another four years, so 12 months doesn’t worry me. It’s well out of our hands.”

Leigh MP James Grundy, was also set to give up his Lowton East seat after his historic general election win, but will now continue to represent his ward for a further year.