The Election Process - Part 3

Since I had my nomination accepted it has been pretty “full on”. I have had press interviews with questions that I need to have a coherent answer for immediately. I would like to think I have handled myself reasonably well, but that’s not for me to decide.

Society has got to a stage where it is acceptable to speak one’s mind without considering the consequences; whilst this seems a good idea initially, this has a detrimental effect on too many people to make it truly acceptable. 

It also seems that a section of society deems you “fair game” if you decide to have a public or political persona. A thick skin is a must with attitudes like this in existence, and as one interviewer said, “that’s par for the course in this game”. 

It might be at the moment but does it have to be? Those who go into politics should go in to it to make their constituency a better place and should be judged on their ability to do so. However, we are in a situation where politics is dominated by careerists who have the thickest skin, the most ambitious plans and the largest budget.

I have spent every evening designing posters and other materials to promote my campaign, each of which must contain my constituency headquarters’ address and the details of the company who have printed them.

I’ve just got to work out how to get them delivered now; there is access to a free mail drop from Royal Mail, but with limited time I’m not sure how easy this will be; a fresh pair of trainers and a packed lunch will be the order of the day.

Saying that I have had many offers from supporters to help deliver leaflets which is fantastic!

Hustings start tomorrow; I shall update on that experience...

The Election Process - Part 2

The deposit has been paid and the paperwork accepted this afternoon at the town hall. It was quite an easy process in truth, or easier than I imagined it would be especially after the difficulty getting the forms themselves.

Beyond paying the £500, that I receive back when I achieve 5% of the turnout, the staff sorted it all for me.

If you are ever thinking of standing for election I would give the following bits of advice:

• Get the paperwork from the electoral commission as quickly as you can – they take a while to reply but they are helpful when they do.

• Get the signatures from people in the constituency for which you wish to stand; they don’t have to vote for you, but I’d suggest that if that were the case then think carefully about whether you want to stand.

• It wasn’t clear to me whether I would have to find my signatories’ electoral numbers, but you don’t; the town hall do that for you.

•  Take a bank card or cash with you as you must pay the deposit there and then, before receiving your “Notice as to Validity of Nomination” letter.

I am looking forward to the run up to June 8^th, although there’s plenty to do between now and then.

The Election Process - Part 1

I had been contemplating standing at a general election prior to 2015 as I have never felt represented in Westminster by East Worthing and Shoreham’s current incumbent, who has been in place since the birth of the constituency in 1997. So as soon as the slightly surprising news surfaced regarding this election I was searching online to get the information and forms required to stand as an independent candidate as I have never had any affiliation to one party. This proved to be quite difficult as clearly the electoral commission weren’t expecting an election either, so all the information and forms were from 2015.

You’ll (hopefully) be relieved to hear that I did eventually get the forms and guidance literature from the electoral commission and have filled in my personal details; I am now heading around the constituency taking people up on their offers to nominate me. I require ten nominees, including a proposer and seconder (plus their individual electoral number, as a nominee has to be eligible to vote), and was fortunate enough to have plenty of people offering to sign for me.

There are officially no candidates at the time of writing as the window to hand in the forms is the 9^th May to 11^th May between 10am and 4pm at Worthing Town Hall; this must be done personally by each candidate. Political parties have selected and announced their candidates but these candidates need to get their forms in by the deadline. As I have full time job I have had to ask very nicely to be able to attend one of these time windows and my appointment is on Tuesday afternoon.

There is the option for candidates to nominate agents and sub-agents who can perform various tasks on behalf of that candidate, mainly financial tasks, currently a hot topic of debate in other constituencies; the agent and sub-agents must have a business address within the constituency as far as I can make out. I have chosen to do the bulk of the work required myself with advice and help from friends who have experience in specific, related areas.

Once the forms are accepted then the campaign trail gets underway; we’ll see how successful that campaign has been on June 8^th, or more likely, June 9^th when the votes have been counted. I shall post more about the process as it unfolds as I want to encourage and inform anyone who wants to engage in the political process; once a teacher, always a teacher I suppose.

This has been described as a “snap election”, called with little or no warning for the electorate, and if news reports are to be believed, to Theresa May’s own cabinet and party. One could argue that May is being opportunist, playing on the perceived weakness of the opposition, particularly in England. East Worthing and Shoreham sees Tim Loughton with a large majority from 2015, and add that to the supposed weakness of any opposition, does he really need to make much effort in order to be re-elected? He will claim that he’s taking nothing for granted, but in reality Mr Loughton must be feeling very confident, confident enough to campaign in Hove rather than his own constituency last week. This is not healthy for democracy, but more importantly nor is it healthy for the residents of this constituency who require representation in parliament, and not at the expense of party-political interests.