Peterborough elections in 2021 will have huge ramifications for the city

In 2019 there were five elections for some, including two General Elections.

However, 2020 saw planned elections postponed, including for 22 of the 60 seats on Peterborough City Council and to elect the new police and crime commissioner, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

That means 2021, which was due to be a quieter year on the local politics scene, will have big ramifications for Peterborough when voters go to the polls in early May.

Peterborough City Council

The Conservatives have been in control of the city council since 1999, either with a majority of seats or with the help of other parties/independents.

However, in 2019, after a net loss of three seats they were left with 28 seats out of 60, meaning they have relied on the support of the three Werrington First councillors to have enough votes in the Council Chamber.

And this time the Tories are defending 14 of the 22 seats which are being contested, compared to just four for Labour, two for the Liberal Democrats, one for the Liberal Party and one for Werrington First.

A net loss of even one more seat could make a huge difference, as 27 seats for the Conservatives on top of three for Werrington First would not make a majority, meaning there could be an almighty scramble to try and form an administration with the opposition parties possibly looking to form a coalition cabinet.

Council leader Cllr John Holdich, and cabinet member for finance Cllr David Seaton, were both due to stand down at the scheduled 2020 elections but postponed their departure by 12 months to help tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

With the council facing unprecedented financial challenges, both before and due to the pandemic, and with further areas including exam results, homelessness, a new university, expansion of the city centre and becoming carbon-neutral all to be addressed (as well as bouncing back from coronavirus), the election outcome will have huge ramifications.

Cambridgeshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Another election which was delayed for 12 months has three candidates already confirmed.

These are: Darryl Preston (Conservative), Nicky Massey (Labour) and Rupert Moss-Eccardt (Liberal Democrat).

All three have already called for planned cuts to neighbourhood policing to be put on hold until after the election.

Whoever is elected will have authority over Cambridgeshire Constabulary which is seeing a rise in police officers but continues to tackle a financial deficit.

The role of crime commissioner is currently being held on an interim basis by Conservative Peterborough city councillor Ray Bisby following the resignation of Jason Ablewhite.

Conservative Mr Ablewhite quit after he was referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after a complaint was made to Cambridgeshire police about messages he had sent on social media.

However, no charges were brought against him.

Metro mayor

2021 will mark four years since the first ever Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was elected.

East Cambridgeshire District Council leader James Palmer won the historic vote, and the Conservative will be seeking re-election in May.

His opponents so far include Nik Johnson (Labour) and Aidan Van de Weyer (Liberal Democrat).

The role of metro mayor is hugely significant, as the elected person leads the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority which has swathing powers over transport, housing and adult education.

The mayor is responsible for marquee projects such as the new Peterborough university, as well as major road schemes, support for businesses and securing vital funding for the area.

If Mayor Palmer was defeated it could lead to changes to the new university, which is due to open in 2022, as well as the future for transport in Peterborough, including provision for rail and buses.