Question about the when the Election is meant to be

[leaskovski]

Ok,

I may have missed something here, but have we actually been told when the GE date is going to be?

I havent really seen old Brown set the actual date by doing whatever it is he is meant to do (go and mingle with the queen is it?). Why is this? We all know that there is to be an election this year, so why doesnt he just get on with it!

Could it be that the Labour party are pretty skint and can't afford a prolonged campaign?

 

[rpstewart]

The notice period is something like 17 working days so he can leave it fairly late before committing himself. There will be reasons for delaying the announcement - there may well be legislation in progress which the government want to complete but there are also restrictions on what can be done and spent during an official campaign. If you delay the announcement you can effectively run a campaign but without the restrictions.

 

[Mr Jack]

I thought it was six weeks notice they had to give?

 

[SB118]

Not forgetting Brown isn't all that keen on people voting if it looks like he might lose!

 

[Mr Jack]

I thought it was six weeks notice they had to give?

No, I'm wrong, pdf link (see page 8). Polling day is 17 days after the announcement.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

My girlfriend works for one of the governments departments, and over the last month or so they have been going through briefings and conferences informing staff of what will, can and more importantly can't be done during campaign time. There are a lot of restrictions, and heavy penalties (apparently?!) thus before the cabinet can set a date, they must be absolutely sure that all departments are set for the period they call "purda" or something, as once a date is set, the departments must adhere these strict rules until the election is over.

 

[Biohazard]

My girlfriend works for one of the governments departments, and over the last month or so they have been going through briefings and conferences informing staff of what will, can and more importantly can't be done during campaign time. There are a lot of restrictions, and heavy penalties (apparently?!) thus before the cabinet can set a date, they must be absolutely sure that all departments are set for the period they call "purda" or something, as once a date is set, the departments must adhere these strict rules until the election is over.

Purdah is a very outdated term for a very outdated principle, in fact the welsh banned its use.

I don't think this country needs to hark back to its colonial days - it does it enough already.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Purdah is a very outdated term for a very outdated principle, in fact the welsh banned its use.

I don't think this country needs to hark back to its colonial days - it does it enough already.

That's just what they call it. What it really is, is a restriction of what the departments can operate. E.g. they are prohibited from updating websites to say things like "200 new schools opened since 1997" on direct.gov.uk, as it will be taken as pro-labour propaganda.

Basically, if anything looks like it could even remotely aid/give ammo to any of the parties in an election campaign, they are not allowed to do it, and given the popular choice of spinning slander by all of our parties, there is a lot to be careful of.

 

[Cosimo]

Polling is 17 days after the dissolution of Parliament.

Parliament would be dissolved on Monday April 12th for a May 6th election.

The election can be held by no later than Thursday 3rd June.

It will most probably be held on the 6th May.

Election Timetables

 

[Biohazard]

Look at what they used to call black people...doesn't make it right does it. it is still an outdated term that should die off in history. Why we need to keep terms like this rolling is beyond me, and is contemptible towards woman.

On to the point in hand..

"What is more, the whole issue of purdah raises some difficult questions, such as do we have a working definition of "politically sensitive"? And if it is disingenuous of a minister to deliberately announce a major policy plank during the campaign is it not equally disingenuous - and perhaps also a little condescending - to deliberately delay it until the results are known?

It's not as if the party manifestos themselves will not be full of alluring proposals. Indeed, that's their whole point. Nor is there a moratorium on the sitting government announcing important changes immediately before purdah kicks in. Gordon Brown's statement on troop withdrawal was just as much about wooing voters as George Osborne's proposal on inheritance tax, and both were allowed, within the rules."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/oct/05/dowestillneedpurdah

Some rational thought needs to be applied to this.

It treats us as idiots.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Look at what they used to call black people...doesn't make it right does it. it is still an outdated term that should die off in history. Why we need to keep terms like this rolling is beyond me, and is contemptible towards woman.

On to the point in hand..

"What is more, the whole issue of purdah raises some difficult questions, such as do we have a working definition of "politically sensitive"? And if it is disingenuous of a minister to deliberately announce a major policy plank during the campaign is it not equally disingenuous - and perhaps also a little condescending - to deliberately delay it until the results are known?

It's not as if the party manifestos themselves will not be full of alluring proposals. Indeed, that's their whole point. Nor is there a moratorium on the sitting government announcing important changes immediately before purdah kicks in. Gordon Brown's statement on troop withdrawal was just as much about wooing voters as George Osborne's proposal on inheritance tax, and both were allowed, within the rules."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/oct/05/dowestillneedpurdah

Some rational thought needs to be applied to this.

It treats us as idiots.

Should or shouldn't is irrelevant. It will, and does happen. Thus, the cabinet will hold-off setting a date until they are certain (and assured) that all government departments will comply during "purdah".

 

[Biohazard]

Should or shouldn't is irrelevant. It will, and does happen. Thus, the cabinet will hold-off setting a date until they are certain (and assured) that all government departments will comply during "purdah".

Should or shouldn't is completely relevent.

I never said it doesn't happen , I probably know a fair more about this than you.

Purdah is nonesense in the way you have applied it, as civil servants are bound by the Civil Service Code in either respect - at a politically sensative time or not. (see section 13/14)

Government departmentss have no option in complicity.. its not like they run around being Party champions the rest of the time is it now.





"
All Staff

We are all aware a general election is imminent and need to understand the special responsibility we have as civil servants in the run up to that election.

That means making sure everything we do is fully in line with the Civil Service Code (pdf).

Once an election has been called, Cabinet Office will issue detailed guidance on the conduct and behaviour of all civil servants during the pre-election period (often referred to as ‘purdah’ in the media). We will publish a link to these as soon as they are available."

The information that will come out will not be a million miles from the CSC, it will just re-inforce 'Political Impartiality'. Certainly that has been the case for the information passed down to me at the last election. It is very much business as usual.. for everyone bar ministerial level in effect.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

Should or shouldn't is completely relevent.

I never said it doesn't happen , I probably know a fair more about this than you.

Purdah is nonesense in the way you have applied it, as civil servants are bound by the Civil Service Code in either respect - at a politically sensative time or not. (see section 13/14)

Government departmentss have no option in complicity.. its not like they run around being Party champions the rest of the time is it now.





"
All Staff

We are all aware a general election is imminent and need to understand the special responsibility we have as civil servants in the run up to that election.

That means making sure everything we do is fully in line with the Civil Service Code (pdf).

Once an election has been called, Cabinet Office will issue detailed guidance on the conduct and behaviour of all civil servants during the pre-election period (often referred to as ‘purdah’ in the media). We will publish a link to these as soon as they are available."

The information that will come out will not be a million miles from the CSC, it will just re-inforce 'Political Impartiality'. Certainly that has been the case for the information passed down to me at the last election. It is very much business as usual.. for everyone bar ministerial level in effect.

You probably do know more about this than me, infact I'm certain of it. It doesn't make your posts about it any less irrelevant, though, as it's one of the reasons the cabinet have not released an election date, because they are yet to be assured that all departments will comply to "purdah".

How is it not crystal clear that whether "purdah" should or shouldn't happen is irrelevant to this? Only that it does happen is relevant to this topic.

However, as for running around being government champions, yes they bloody well do! My girlfriend works in digital comms, i.e. manages the various govt. websites and is constantly complaining about the amount of pro-labour content she has to sign off for departmental websites and direct.gov!

 

[Biohazard]

You probably do know more about this than me, infact I'm certain of it. It doesn't make your posts about it any less irrelevant, though, as it's one of the reasons the cabinet have not released an election date, because they are yet to be assured that all departments will comply to "purdah".

That is complete and utter rubbish.

This is about Brown refusing to open discussion about the matter of the GE date, not the home office somehow waiting for what is already there - subserviant departments who have to respond to instruction and already practise political impartiality.


Don't quite understand that next bit..

However, as for running around being government champions, yes they bloody well do! My girlfriend works in digital comms, i.e. manages the various govt. websites and is constantly complaining about the amount of pro-labour content she has to sign off for departmental websites and direct.gov!

She is failing her job by doing such, that is not in lines with the CSC of practise.

Out of interest, post some of this pro-labour guff on direct.gov.. because I think it is a very impartial site from what I've taken from it. I am suprised by your claims.

 

[Dj_Jestar]

That is complete and utter rubbish.

This is about Brown refusing to open discussion about the matter of the GE date, not the home office somehow waiting for what is already there - subserviant departments who have to respond to instruction and already practise political impartiality.

How so when the exact words "The cabinet are awaiting for purdah compliance" have been uttered by the same people running the extra conferences and "away days" that my girlfriend and the rest of her department (and other departments) have had to attend?!

Don't quite understand that next bit..

How convenient.

She is failing her job by doing such, that is not in lines with the CSC of practise.

Not when she is instructed to do so by the secretary of her department she isn't.

Out of interest, post some of this pro-labour guff on direct.gov.. because I think it is a very impartial site from what I've taken from it. I am suprised by your claims.

I'm not going to go digging for you. However a good example is always that "'x' number of schools have been opened since 1997" and "this is better since 1997" etc. is all over it.

But honestly, what is your argument and constant need to go off topic? It is very much a reason that the Staff of the govt. departments are being told that the GE date has not been announced. Read into it all you bloody well want, but it does not detract from the pure, simple fact that it *is* a reason it is being held off.

There really was/is no need to get all high and mighty about it, pal.

 

[Lopéz]

The Conservative MP who knocked on my door on Saturday said "It's no secret there's going to be an election on May 6th"

 

[RDM]

The Conservative MP who knocked on my door on Saturday said "It's no secret there's going to be an election on May 6th"

Especially with the budget being when it is and the fact that local elections are being held at that date in most of the country.

 

[Jokester]

Yeah I think it's an open secret that it'll be May 6th.

As for why Brown is delaying an official announcement? Until he does, the government can use public money as part of Labour's election campaign.

 

[Biohazard]

How so when the exact words "The cabinet are awaiting for purdah compliance" have been uttered by the same people running the extra conferences and "away days" that my girlfriend and the rest of her department (and other departments) have had to attend?!



Not when she is instructed to do so by the secretary of her department she isn't.

Who knows, I could pull out the complete opposite statement of your partner.. doesn't make either one of us more correct. You could be completely making it up. I don't really care. I know my experience, and what is happening in my department. This may be different in other departments, but this is a well rehersed procedure.

Exact same as last time.

Yes she can, doesn't matter who or what level the instruction came from if she has concerns over impartiality it is her duty to raise it in line with the code of conduct. I've told a minister what I can and cannot do in the past, I would suggest she does the same.

I think you should pull up a examples after all you are the one making the claim, I have referred to the website extensively in my personal life (it has no relevance for my job), I am quite politically apt, dislike labour, and have never seen anything of the likes you claim (ie, added labour soundbites). You are accusing her department of releasing politically biased statistics and, if correct, she should not be complicit in passing them on.

What I was picking up on was if we need this time of purdah or not and whether it is all appropriate given some of the things outlined in the article I posted, you dismissed it off hand without so much as discussion.

You then started to assume things that I have not said, that is why I am picking you up, pal.

I mean in your analysis why bother with purdah at GE time.. if 95% of the time political bias is dripping down the civil service/.gov websites etc.

Bit of a contradiction, no?

 

[Strife212]

E.g. they are prohibited from updating websites to say things like "200 new schools opened since 1997" on direct.gov.uk, as it will be taken as pro-labour propaganda.

The first thing I saw when I went on direct.gov a second ago was

"£4 million to help support local pubs"