Civic Dignitaries and Members
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance she has issued on whether incumbent (a) councillors, (b) council mayors, (c) Police and Crime Commissioners and (d) combined authority mayors may (i) stand for election and (ii) continue to hold office as Members of Parliament; and whether she plans to change these provisions in relation to restrictions.
Answered by Jim McMahon
Councillors, elected mayors of single authorities, combined authorities (‘CAs’) and combined county authorities (‘CCAs’) and Police and Crime Commissioners (‘PCCs’) are not disqualified from standing for election as Members of Parliament (‘MPs’). PCCs, including CA and CCA mayors who also hold the PCC function, if they are successfully elected, will need to stand down from their offices before accepting the office of MP. Currently, the remaining types of elected officials are not disqualified from holding both elected offices.
The English Devolution White Paper set out that government will introduce proposals limiting individuals from holding the office of MP and Mayor of a Strategic Authority (including CAs, CCAs and the Greater London Authority) simultaneously.
It is the role of the Electoral Commission to provide guidance for local government, PCC and Parliamentary candidates. Guidance on the disqualifications that apply to each can be found on their website.
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