Royal Mail blames snap election decision for delays

On Tuesday, Mr Sunak was asked during a visit to Banbury, Oxfordshire, whether he was worried about reports that some people may not be able to vote.

He told broadcasters: “It’s right that the Royal Mail have said that they will look at any concerns where they’re raised because, obviously, we want to make sure everyone can vote because this is an important election. In spite of what some people want others to believe, that it’s all a foregone conclusion, every vote matters.”

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, said on a campaign visit in Nottinghamshire: “We must do everything we collectively can to ensure that those ballot papers get to people, that they can fill them in and have the vote to which they are entitled so the country can move forward with the change that I hope will be delivered at this election.”

Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader, questioned Royal Mail’s denial of a backlog.

The Local Government Association said it supported a review of the “complex” and “overburdened” postal voting system.

A spokesman said: “Councils and electoral staff across the country have been doing their utmost to ensure the smooth running of this election and that people can vote.

“People voting by post are expected to have increased 20 per cent since the 2019 general election. This unprecedented increase adds more pressure to an already complex process and overburdened system.

“We are aware of reports of incidents where delays have happened. The postal vote system could benefit from review, and more could be done to support Royal Mail and printers to be ready to deliver elections.”