• Only 61.29% of us voted in the 2005 election. An increase of 1.89% in 2001 - the lowest turnout since 1918

• Turn out for 2005 election :

        England - 61.29%

        N. Ireland - 62.95%

        Scotland - 60.78% 

        Wales - 62%

• 17 Million of those registered to vote did not, the third lowest turn out since the turn of the 20^th Century

• 39% of  ‘young’  people voted in the 2001 election with only 37% in the 2005 election

• Only 21% of young people voted in the June 2004 local elections in Wales

• Labour won 355 seats (reducing their majority to 66). The Conservatives won 198 seats and Liberal Democrats won 62 seats (their highest since 1929)

• Labour won a 66 seat majority in UK with less than 25% of the population voting for them.

•  Conservatives received 60,000 more votes than Labour in England but had 157 fewer seats.

• For the Conservatives to win an overall majority, they have to have a 4.5% lead in the polls, whereas Labour can gain control whilst being 1.5% behind!

•   May 2006 England local election results

                    Councillors                Councils

                    +/-     Total               +/-    Total

         Con      316    1830              11      68

         Lab     -319    1439             -17      30

         LD           2      909               1      13

         Oth        -2      240               0        0

         NOC                                    6      66

Electoral Law regarding the participation of individuals and groups in UK General Elections

Vote-OK is a Registered Recognised Third Party, one of only 11 in the country, but this does not make it a Political Party.

Effectively these rules and regulations have been put in place in order to ensure 'Fair Play'; the idea is that no candidate should have a financial advantage over another. However, the Electoral Commission is also keen to encourage the voluntary participation of all and sundry in the process of campaigning.

Therefore there are very strict limits on the financial or professional assistance that can be provided in support of individual candidates:

• An individual can contribute up to £50 in the form of goods or services without this being included in the candidates spending limits;

• an unsolicited individual limit of £500 provided that the candidate is not privy to the activity nor is it a coordinated effort.

• The accounting period is triggered by the Dissolution of Parliament. Between the Dissolution and the General Election the Candidates all have a similar allowance of approx £11,000-£12,000 each.

• Anyone who is campaigning within this period & is being paid by their employer must realise that their ‘paid for time’ will count against the candidates Election expenses. In some cases this may not be a problem but both you and the candidate should be aware of the liability.

• All voluntary effort is welcomed

• Using a private car is okay but filling a coach is not.

• Use of computers, telephones (below the £50 threshold) or your house for meetings are all okay.

• Professional printing(as a contribution) is prohibited, as is using paid for advertising hoardings.

• A farmer to permit posters in fields is fine on a pro bono basis.

The rules governing the generic promotion of 'a party' are very different with completely different limits, but as we are only involved in the active support for specific candidates & not of a party we must play within the rules.

The important thing to realise is that if the regulations should be breached (even through innocence, ignorance or naivety) and some mischievous objector complains, then it can thwart all the efforts of everyone by that constituency election being declared nul & void and having a re-run!  If in doubt, ask our office or consult Electoral Commission website

www.electoralcommission.org.uk;    .

 Q & As

Q.     Can we get hunt-staff to help?

A.      Yes, but only outside their normal hours of work or within the candidates expenses limitations

Q.     Can we hire a coach to take helpers to mutual-aid seats?

A.      No

Q.     Can we use our telephone switch-board in the office for telly canvassing

         sessions on behalf of PPC?

A.      Yes, provided the overall office contribution is less than £50

Q.      Can we use office printers etc.

A.       Yes, provided the overall office contribution is less than £50

Q.      Can we help a candidate for any constituency?

A.       Yes

Q.      Can we provide stamps for a candidate's mail-shot?

A.       Yes, provided no one individual provides in excess of £50

Q.      Can we provide a car to help on polling day?

A.       Yes

Any further questions that you might have come across that crop up on a regular basis, would be useful to know about.