As we are now running up to a General Election – I do not normally involve a great deal on this Web-Blog about National Politics.
Councillors like any member of the public can canvas and promote Candidates & Policical Parties.
However I and all Councillors + Councils have to abide by
Purdah:-
What you shouldn’t do
- Produce publicity on matters which are politically controversial
- Make references to individual politicians or groups in press releases
- Arrange proactive media or events involving candidates
- Issue photographs which include candidates
- Supply council photographs or other materials to councillors or political group staff unless you have verified that they will not be used for campaigning purposes
- Continue hosting third party blogs or e-communications
- Help with national political visits, as this would involve using public money to support a particular candidate or party.
These should be organised by political parties with no cost or resource implications for the council.What you’re allowed to do
- Continue to discharge normal council business – including determining planning applications, even if they are controversial.
- Publish factual information to counteract misleading, controversial or extreme – for example, racist/sexist information. An example might be a media story which is critical of the council, such as a media enquiry claiming that the salaries of all the council’s senior managers have increased by five per cent. If this is not true, a response such as ‘none of the council’s senior management team have received any increase in salary in the last 12 months’ is acceptable. It is perfectly right and proper that the council responds, as long as it is factual.
- Use relevant lead officers rather than members for reactive media releases.
- Use a politician who is involved in an election when the council is required to respond in particular circumstances, such as in an emergency situation or where there is a genuine need for a member-level response to an important event beyond the council’s control. Normally this would be the civic mayor – as opposed to the elected mayor in those areas with elected mayors – or chairman, that is, someone holding a politically neutral role. If the issue is so serious, it is worth considering asking the council’s group leaders to agree to a response which would involve all of them.
- If you are in any doubt, seek advice from your returning officer and/or monitoring officer, legal or communications colleagues.
Ultimately, you must always be guided by the principle of fairness. It is crucial that any decision you take would be seen as fair and reasonably the public and those standing for office.
