Just when you thought the cost of the EU couldn’t get any higher, we’re now going to have to fork out for the cost of an election which has historically seen the lowest turnout of any national poll.
Should Theresa May fail to secure a withdrawal agreement by 23 May, taxpayers face a £109 million bill to hold European elections, even though elected officials would only remain in their posts until the new Brexit deadline day of 31 October.
Employing thousands of presiding officers and poll clerks will alone cost £12 million, on top of £3.7 million for staff to count the votes, and a further £6.2 million for returning officers and their associated expenses.