MERSEYSIDERS must wait until November next year to choose their first elected police chief.

The vote was originally scheduled for the same day as next May’s local council elections to cut costs and boost turn-out.

But ministers have now put it back to autumn, 2012, following fears their Liberal Democrat coalition partners will suffer, and that will impact on the controversial police vote.

The delay is a setback for Home Secretary Theresa May who initially demanded a May vote, despite the vehement opposition of police authorities, including Merseyside.

And ministers accept that a November vote will “substantially” increase the extra costs of the police poll, which are already forecast to top £100m.

The embarrassing delay sparked a new row with the Opposition.

Wirral South MP Alison McGovern said: “Coming at the same time as the farce of the Health Bill which will turn the NHS upside down, this is another shambles involving a hugely unpopular measure.

“A November poll is foolish . . . it is cold and dark and it would mean a low turn-out.”