Lincolnshire Independents’ call for fair play has been heard.
Following demands for a level playing field, new Government guidance is out that will allow safe door-step campaigning from next week, March 8.
The government had first announced local elections will be held on May 6, but without much of the local.
Councillors and candidates have been at risk of fines for delivering a leaflet, whilst commercial adverts and expensive postal campaigns have been unaffected.
The big party donors enable expensive centrally-funded campaigns. Independents and smaller parties focus on what residents want and need, thus fund their own campaigns. They rely on engaging with the public and being known locally for what they do.
Preventing that engagement disadvantages Independents and deeply undermines democracy.
The Lincolnshire Independents wrote to the minister Chloe Smith and I wrote on behalf of the Local Government Association Independent Group and the Independent Network.
Cross party support was achieved, and the LGA chairman represented our case to the Government Select Committee.
Last week, I followed up previous letters and personal representations with a barrister’s letter laying out the need for fair elections for all.
It is disappointing that we have lost weeks, but we are delighted that the minister has heard our representations and U-turned on the policy to allow COVID safe campaigning.
It has been a big effort and thank you to all who have made representations.
We are holding a regional event for Independent and smaller party councillors and candidates on Friday, March 5, online with the Local Government Association, at 11am and 12.30pm, register at [email protected]
On Saturday the Independent Network is holding a session on winning elections with COVID-safe campaigning at 11am. Register at https://independentnetwork.org.uk/.
The LGA are holding a webinar with the Electoral Commission on March 12 at 2pm to discuss the new guidance. To attend please register via the LGA’s events website.
The LGA Independent Group will be holding a significant group ‘de-brief’ following the above from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Please join us for a discussion on what this means for our members/candidates and a chance to discuss campaigning ideas ahead of the elections in May.
To attend please email [email protected] using the subject title ‘de-brief’
Councillor Marianne Overton MBE
Leader of the Lincolnshire Independent Group
