With a General Election scheduled for Thursday 4 July 2024, the official pre-election period, previously referred to as purdah but now described as a ‘period of heightened sensitivity’ begins 25 working days before polling day.
The period of heightened sensitivity begins at 00:01 on Thursday 30 May 2024, and will run until the polls close at 22:00 on Thursday 4 July.
University Impact
The University is not a public body and is therefore not covered by strict rules during this period.
However much of our research is funded by UKRI which is covered as an ‘Arm’s-length body’. Although UKRI is not issuing specific guidance for this election, the general advice is that UKRI funded or supported research should not, during this period, publish any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party or which competes with parliamentary candidates for the attention of the public during the election campaign.
There are likely to be politically active staff and students at the University. Everyone is free to contribute to political debate in a personal capacity.
However, the University always maintains a politically impartial position and we need to ensure that there is not a conflict of interest or any potential confusion about whether an individual is speaking on behalf of the University or for themselves. Any political communications should be made in a personal capacity.
Political Impartiality
The University should also be careful about expressing explicit support or opposition for party policy announcements. The University can comment but the communication needs to be evidence-based and be very clear and specific about the issues/benefits of the policy and not denounce/support the party responsible for it.
Commentary on the election or facets of it should only be given within the context of an academic colleague’s area of specialism or expertise. For example, polling experts and Psephologists often comment on the polling conducted during campaigns.
Impartiality and Charity Law
The University is entitled to engage in public announcements in support of its stated charitable aims. It is generally accepted that Universities can contribute to the political debate of the country but should seek to maintain political impartiality whilst doing so.
During an election campaign we may receive requests from election candidates or local councillors to visit the University, we need to respond carefully to these requests to maintain impartiality.
The University will seek to offer equal opportunities to all candidates and parties. We should not endorse events which are seen to actively support one candidate over another.
If organising hustings events, the University will aim to comply with electoral commission guidance on non-selective events; this guidance allows impartial reasons to exclude some candidates, for example because of resource availability or security concerns. However as 4 July falls outside of Undergraduate term time it is less likely the University will organise hustings events for this General Election. If requests are received for visits by political parties to the University during the period of heightened sensitivity, all should be treated equally.
Visits to Campus
Should any political visits take place during this time, the University should be careful when publicising them. While we can reference/record an event through social media posts or posting factual news articles, we should consider how much space and prominence to give it to avoid implying support for a candidate or party. We should also treat all candidates in the same way or afford all candidates the same opportunity even if they are visiting separately. If staff are asked to help organise political visits to campus by a party, they should ensure they co-ordinate with the central administration, the first point of contact being Sue Littlemore, Director, Civic University.
Information for researchers
Academics are not restricted from commenting on new research or answering media queries about breaking science news. Whilst we should act with caution, our research activity should continue, and articles should still be published.
Universities UK have issued the following guidance