Permission has been granted to delay the by-election for Manchester Gorton so it can take place on the same day as the General Election.
The by-election to elect a new MP for the Manchester Gorton constituency was originally scheduled for 4 May. However, the returning officer had put forward a motion to allow it take place at the same time as voters go to the polls to elect MPs in Manchester's four other constituencies.
‘I welcome the fact that this situation has now been resolved, said acting returning officer for Manchester, Joanne Roney.
‘We always knew common sense would prevail but our expert advice made it clear that as returning officer I did not have the legal power to change the date of the Manchester Gorton by-election. Now that parliament has acted I am able to do so.’