Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Can a LibDem stand as an Independent?
Quick question for all you party rules aficionados. Can a LibDem member stand as an Independent in a local election and stay in the party? This isn't for me (!) but I've been asked about this by someone and I said that I thought it was probably okay as long as you're not standing against an official party candidate. Is this the correct position?
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5 comments:
If a Liberal Democrat party candidate was not standing at the election, then there wouldn't be a problem. In fact I have known it happen several times in parish level councils where the council does not normally have party labels used by any candidates or councillors. (Obviously the normal rules apply about not bringing the party into disrepute)
I think it is highly dishonest. We ahe a Tory member locally who puts up a Tory posterboard, was on the front row for Cameron photoshoots in NOrwich North and attends counts wearing a blue rosette but puts her description down as "independent". I think it is wrong.
There is a County Councillor in Oxfordshire who was elected at a byelection and reelected this June . She is a LibDem party member but stood as an Independent and won the seat which had been previously LibDem without official LibDem opposition and apparently with their support .
Clearlly an unusual case but probably not unique .
On the straight question without going into the whys and wherefores. Yes it is ok as long as they are not opposing a lib dem candidate
Thanks for the responses. Let me assure you, there is no dishonest intent behind this, precisely the opposite one could argue (but that's not for a public forum!)
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