Town and Parish Council Disputes
What does this cover? We get a fair number of queries from Liberal Democrats who serve as members of Parish or Town Councils regarding issues…
Understanding scrutiny
Scrutiny commissions are there to provide a balance to the Cabinet and Strong Leader models of governance in local authorities. They can be an effective…
Using the party name, logo and the ballot paper
Using the party name on nomination papers NB The party has changed its logos and registered names from 11th March 2015 The new Lib Dem…
What Counts as a Donation Under the Political Parties, Elections, and Referendums Act (PPERA)
What counts as a donation under PPERA? The controls refer to donations of more than £50 to a candidate or her election agent for the…
What Does Registration of Political Parties Mean?
What does registration mean? All political parties have to be registered with the Electoral Commission. There is a wide range of rules that parties have…
What if the result is not what I was expecting?
These are a few pointers for things to watch at the count, which have gone wrong before. Just about any conceivable mistake has happened at…
What information am I entitled to access?
Councillors are free to approach any Council Directorate/Department to provide them with such information, explanation and advice (about that Directorate’s/ Department’s functions) as they may…
What to do if you Receive a Legal Threat
What to do if you receive a legal threat If you are on the receiving end of a legal threat over defamation, neither rush to…
When do Election Expenses Start to Count?
When do the expenses start to count? England Expenses must be accounted for from the day after the date that the candidate is deemed to…
When should you select candidates
When should you select your council candidates? The answer is as soon as possible! More details about the processes are available in the toolkits. Target…
Where Posters Can Be put Legally
Where posters can be put legally Posters can be put on private land by permission of the owner. There is no requirement for the displayer…
Who Can Attend the Count?
Who can attend the count? Attendance at the count is limited to the candidate, candidate’s spouse(or guest), agent and the counting agents. The number of…
Who Can be a Candidate in Other Elections?
Who can be a candidate in other elections? European Parliament Anyone who is 18 and not disqualified may stand. This includes citizens of other EU…
Who Can be a Local Government Candidate?
Who Can be a Local Government Candidate? Agents sometimes joke that candidates are “merely a legal necessity”. Even if, on the quiet, some agents may…
Who Can be a Parliamentary Candidate?
Who can be a Parliamentary candidate? The basic requirements are: be at least 18 years old on the day of nomination (note: not election day,…
Who can vote in council candidate selections (England)?
The process for choosing your council candidates is usually outlined in section 9.3 of your local party constitution, however the Model Local Party Constitution (which…
Why Have an Agent?
Why have an agent? Having an election agent for the duration of the campaign and until the election paperwork is finalised is a legal requirement…
Withdrawal or Death of a Candidate
Withdrawal or death of a candidate After nominations there is a short period of time in which candidates may withdraw (consult the official timetable to…
Writing letters to the press
Writing letters to the local paper is an easy way to communicate your message to a large number of people. Not only is a letter…