Campaign: To help independent candidates and small parties stand for election to Hull City Council

Why should you support this campaign?

It’s frustrating, isn’t it? No-one to vote for because Council elections are dominated by the big three parties. It’s put down to voter disinterest in the parties; in fact it’s the parties’ disinterest in the voters that is really the problem.

You may see the big three parties, with near identical policies, and no-one speaking up for the things that affect you, the things you care about, the things you would like raised in elections. No wonder turnout in local elections in Hull is between 22%- 24%. If you’ve not been voting then you aren’t alone. Over 75% of other voters aren’t voting either, doubtless for the same reasons as you. If you are in the under 25% that do – many do so to stop a party rather than support a party. Surely, our voting system can do better than that?

The problem is that the big three parties clearly do not care – this broken system, this lack of alternatives, suits them.

So, why don’t we shake things up a lot? Suppose that there was a better choice than the big three? Suppose there were more candidates – some would be speaking up for the issues you would like raised. Sure, not all will, it’s not about looking for clones of ourselves – but creating alternatives to the big three and to break their hold. Once that starts, there is bound to be an alternative you feel you could vote for.

But how do we get there? There are two problems. The first is that some people would like to stand but, unlike the big three, they don’t have people to nominate them. That’s the second problem – ten voters in a ward are required to nominate a candidate. Sure, sometimes a group of residents come together – but they may not have a candidate. Other times, a potential candidate sees an issue in the community – but just needs the ten signatures to get nominated.

That’s what this campaign is about. We are looking for people who would like to be independent candidates for a ward, or represent smaller parties that need a hearing. We are also looking for people to sign the nomination forms for these intended candidates…..who believe voters should be given a wider choice that the big three.

You can make that difference by completing the form below to show you would like to be an independent candidate or a candidate for a smaller party – or that you would consider signing their form. Let’s here it for the 75% – let’s get something done. Please sign. The following, before the form, explain:

  • How you can help an independent candidate or small party stand by simply signing their nomination form. There is no cost to you – nor do you even need to vote for them.
  • What to do if you would like to be an independent or smaller party candidate stand and where you can get information on the ward you would like to represent. Oh, you can stand in ANY ward in Hull if you are on the Hull electoral register. You are not tied to the ward where you live. If you work in Hull, you may be able to stand too – but it’s best to check that with Electoral Services at Hull City Council.
  • At the end of this page is a form. Just give us your email if you would like to nominate a candidate or to stand and we can take if from there.

1. How can I help an independent candidate or small party stand?

The problem: for candidates to stand for election to Hull City Council they need to get nominated by ten people on the electoral role. Good potential candidates would like to stand and sometimes can ask neighbours, family and friends. But they may need to get moving quickly, or not even live in the ward in which they would like to stand. This campaign is intended to make it easier for people to stand which, in a democracy, should be encouraged.

The solution: the form below is aimed at people who would like to see more independent candidates and small parties given better odds to stand against the big three parties. You may not fully agree with them – but you believe in their right to stand. By giving your details you are showing you are willing to sign a nomination form so that small local candidates can take a stand on local issues.

Questions and answers

Q. If I agree to sign a form am I bound to vote for that person?
A. No. All you are doing is helping a candidate stand. You are simply giving the smaller voices a chance to be heard. You can vote for whomever you wish.

Q. How do I know that the person I would nominate is not an extremist?
A. This campaign is really about helping local people raising local issues and helping smaller, non-extreme parties, get a hearing. It is not about helping individual candidates or groups promote hatred or extremism.
Before we would let them know that you would consider signing their form we would ask them to make a clear statement, or point to their website, so that you can see their position and then you could decide for yourself.
One word of caution. If you vet a candidate on every issue you will find issues that you disagree on! That would be the case for the big three parties, too. If you find you agree on all issues, that’s great. However, this campaign is really about helping more voices to be heard rather than finding a clone of the person who nominates them.

2. Standing as an independent candidate or small party

If you are a small party then you will already be registered with the Electoral Commission. If you are looking to stand as an independent candidate then you will be marked on the ballot paper as independent. Please note, these are guidance notes rather than express instructions but if you use them as a guide you will find that much of what is important is addressed.

3. Useful information on the ward you are standing in

Wouldn’t it be nice to have information giving you a breakdown on key social statistics in your ward so that you can be informed. Actually, it is there. So we can save you some time by showing you where to get it! Some useful sources are:

  1. The Hull Data Observatory. This is managed by Hull City Council and a tiny team that gathers information on Hull