Two votes on 10 June - but perhaps not in a polling booth

First Minister Rhodri Morgan has confirmed that both elections will be on 10 June, partly in an attempt to increase voter turnout.

Mr Morgan said it was a good chance to test an all-postal ballot to further encourage more people to take part.

But two leading Liberal Democrats have responded with different views: Assembly Member Kirsty Williams said the date should ensure a higher turnout, while councillor Rodney Berman attacked it as a "complete betrayal" of electors.

This decision puts the interests of the electorate first Rhodri Morgan

However, both the body representing Welsh local councils and Plaid Cymru attacked the decision.

The local government election had been postponed from May this year, when they would have clashed with the Welsh assembly vote.

Mr Morgan said if the council election had been in May next year, it would have meant people voting twice in five weeks, with the European Parliament election date already set for 10 June.

Kirsty Williams' views differed from her Lib Dem colleague

"This decision puts the interests of the electorate first," said Mr Morgan.

Public purse

"We want a good turnout at both sets of elections and believe that cause would not be well served by keeping them apart. We have no power to change the date of the European election.

"We also need to be mindful of the public purse and, although the assembly does not pay directly for either election, holding them together will mean some savings."

The Electoral Commission and the Lord Chancellor have still to decide whether both elections can be carried out only by post.

The commission recently recommended that it should be tried for the next assembly election, and Mr Morgan said: "We believe this would be an excellent opportunity for a successful electoral pilot across Wales."

This is a complete betrayal of the Welsh electorate Lib Dem councillor Rodney Berman

Brecon and Radnorshire Lib Dem AM Kirsty Williams said: "The change in date should help to ensure a better turnout, for both the European and local elections."

But Rodney Berman, who leads the Liberal Democrats on Cardiff County Council, said: "This is a complete betrayal of the Welsh electorate.

"They were denied a local election as originally scheduled last year because the assembly decided it was better not to have two sets of elections at the same time, and yet now that is exactly what is going to happen.

"Many people will now rightly ask why local democracy was suspended for a year in Wales for no apparent advantage whatsoever. This is nothing short of scandalous."

Plaid Cymru local government spokesman Dai Lloyd said it was "an insult to local government."

Dr Lloyd said he recognised that more creative ways had to be found to get people to vote but this was the wrong answer.

Sir Harry Jones, leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, said the decision "lacks consistency and is a departure from previous decisions."

"This decision will now affect Wales' ability to undertake innovative electoral pilots, such as postal or e-voting, during June's election," he said.