City Hall

Queens Walk
London SE1 2AA
Switchboard: 020 7983 4000
Minicom: 020 7983 4458
Web: www.london.gov.uk

LONDONASSEMBLYLABOUR

Peter Wardle
Chief Executive
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ

Andrew Dismore AM
Our Ref: AD/EC/171114
Date: 17 November 2014

Dear Mr Wardle,
Barnet Council Review of Polling Places : committee decisions 11/11/2014
I am writing to urge you to investigate some of the decisions made by Barnet Council at
its statutory review of polling districts and polling places.
I attach a copy of the committee report.
Contrary to what the report states, I was not as Assembly Member asked to contribute
to the consultation nor was I notified of the review by the council.
I am particularly concerned about the decisions concerning polling district HOC, and the
proposal to split the polling district to create a new district, HOF; and the proposal to
create a new polling district HSD.
It can be seen that the officers recommendation was to create a new polling district
HOF, with a polling place at Annunciation school. This recommendation was very much
on all fours with the guidance on polling districts and polling places, issued by the
Commission on how to conduct such statutory reviews.
This was a very important and long overdue proposal, as the present arrangements, as
set out in the report; make clear that electors in the south of the current polling district
have a considerable distance to travel to vote. Many have a walk of over 30 minutes or
more. This part of existing HOC is also the least well off part of the ward, forming part
of the Watling Council Estate.
Despite the officers recommendations, the majority Conservative councillors voted
against this change, for no obvious reason other than party political advantage, so as to
continue to make it difficult for these voters to cast their ballots, with the object of
depressing turnout amongst voters who it can be expected may not be natural
Conservative voters, when contrasted with most of the rest of the polling district. This is
blatant party political manipulation of the electoral system and I would therefore urge
you to conduct an urgent inquiry into what has gone on.

Direct telephone: 020 7983 4031 Fax: 020 7983 4418 Email: Andrew.dismore@london.gov.uk

Turing to new polling district HSD, whilst there is no objection to the creation of a new
polling district, given the rapidly growing population in this ward, the location of the
polling place is again a manipulation for party advantage. The proposal is to locate the
polling place near the extreme east end of the new district, not in the centre of it, where
it would be more accessible to more electors. Some will have a walk in excess of 30
minutes to vote. Suggested alternatives were not considered, again for party political
advantage for the Conservative Party.
I would urge you also to investigate this decision.
Yours sincerely,

Andrew Dismore
Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden

Direct telephone: 020 7983 4031 Fax: 020 7983 4418 Email: Andrew.dismore@london.gov.uk