How to become an MP

Warning: There are rules which must be adhered to irrespective of Gender; these can be found on the Electoral commissions’ web site.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk

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On the Electoral Commission website, you should read the documents on:

1) Registering your candidature.

2) Allowable Election expenses

Use the Political Links page to research the following:

1) Your Constituency boundary

2) The competition (political parties, current MPs)

3) Rules for MPs in the House of Commons

4) The boundary of your constituency

MOST OF ALL STAY WITHIN THE LAW AND GET NOTICED

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Remember,

1) You must be at least 18 years old on the last day of nominations,
2) You must not be a Bishop, a Peer, a member of the Armed Forces, or have/be serving a sentence of more than 1 Year.
3) Resign from any disqualifying organisations, of which there are 100's including the Civil Service.
4) Obtain nomination papers from the Returning Officer
5) In the constituency you wish to represent you must get 10 members of the electorate to sign the nomination papers.
6) Send the nomination papers and £600 to the returning officer at least TWO weeks before polling day.
7) Make sure all campaign literature has your full Name and Address and printer details on.

8) Remember you submit your invoices for campaign expenses AFTER the election result has been declared, so keep them safe!!

Promoting yourself locally.

You must promote yourself to get yourself well known by your potential electorate. This happens long before an election is called.

It is recommended that you try some of the following:

1) Stand for election as a councillor as this will give you experience of campaigning. It doesn't matter if you don't win.

2) Write plenty of good topical letters to the local papers.

3) Become a school Governor or join the PTA.

4) Become involved in local issues, planning a protest etc.

5) Try to raise local or family sponsors for your campaign. You need 8 supporters for your candidature papers.

6) Discuss local issues with Councillors, Doctors, Teachers and Dentists etc.

7) Analyse local issues and National policies to identify the major election issues for your manifesto

8) Start your own local protest against closing hospitals, poor transport, planning decisions, over development of housing etc.