A Labour council leader could lose his position after seeking to delay local elections.
Christopher Watkins, leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, is set to face a vote of no confidence on Wednesday after writing to the Government to request a postponement of elections due in May.
He argued that holding the vote would not be a good use of resources, as the council is preparing for local government reorganisation.
Watkins leads a council with no overall control and holds 18 of the 38 seats. He said his Labour group had agreed to ask for a delay so the council could focus on preparations for restructuring, which may see the authority abolished.
However, opposition parties strongly criticised the move. Conservative group leader Kristofer Wilson, who submitted the no-confidence motion, described the request as anti-democratic.
He said the situation could not be compared to major events such as the Covid-19 pandemic or the Second World War, when elections were previously delayed.
“This is about running scared of voters,” Mr Wilson said, adding that residents’ democratic rights were being threatened.
Leaders of other parties on the council also opposed the delay. Green Party leader Michele Kondakor said elections should go ahead whenever possible.
The council’s chief executive and returning officer, Tom Shardlow, confirmed that preparations for the May elections were already well advanced and said the council was capable of delivering a lawful and transparent vote.
If Mr Watkins loses the no-confidence vote, he will be forced to step down as council leader.
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