Councillors: Disqualification
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what restrictions are in place that prevent people from becoming a local councillor due to (a) criminal convictions and (b) any other reason.
Answered by Jim McMahon
Candidates must declare anything that might disqualify them from standing for or holding local office, not doing so is a criminal offence.
Certain criminal convictions will disqualify an individual from local government, such as criminal convictions that result in a custodial sentence of three months or more, suspended or not, and convictions for sexual offences. I refer the honourable Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 41451 and UIN 42252 respectively.
Further disqualifications exist that can apply to convictions for illegal or corrupt electoral practice, intimidatory offences motivated by hostility towards a candidate, campaigner or holder of elective office, and non-disclosure of pecuniary interests.
Other disqualifications exist that apply in circumstances not relating to criminal convictions. The Electoral Commission publishes guidance for candidates on the relevant qualifications and disqualifications for local government online.
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