Farce in a Modern Democracy

Following the debacle at the Premier Inn Polling Station on Thursday 6th May, the following has been sent to The Returning Officer:

The Returning Officer

Electoral Registration

Vale of Glamorgan Council

Civic Offices

Holton Road

BARRY

CF63 4RU

Dear Sir / Madam

Arrangement for Voting on Thursday 6th May 2021 at The Portacabin, Premier Inn, Hood Road, BARRY, CF62 5QN

I am writing to you on behalf of residents of the Barry Waterfront Development located in the Baruc Ward of the Vale of Glamorgan Council area to register our concern at the totally inadequate arrangements made for voters at the above polling station on polling day, Thursday 6th May 2021.

While recognising that there are opportunities to register for postal voting, and the current Covid-19 restrictions are unprecedented, for voters to have to wait in excess of an hour and a half to exercise their democratic right is wholly unacceptable, and for the polling station to still be operating fifty minutes after its scheduled closure clearly demonstrates that the arrangements made for residents of the ward were wholly inadequate.

We look forward to a public apology for the inefficiency and inconvenience caused, leading to some voters not being able to exercise their democratic right and civil duty, together with an undertaking that appropriate arrangements will be made in the future to ensure that there is no repeat of these failings to provide appropriate and reasonable opportunities for members of their electorate to cast their votes.

Yours sincerely

[signed]

Paul Motte

Chair