Quick word of caution when you are doing a website for any political candidate in the UK.
There are rules which are there for a reason.
Rules about publicity materials – also covering websites – can get your client in trouble if not followed. And when it comes to politics we are talking about serious trouble.
Speaking from experience I would always suggest that your first port of call is your candidate’s local Party people – they hold the ‘books’ as it where and I’ve always found them helpful.
Alternatively the three main parties at least have really good comms and campaigning departments who will help out.
Want to see an example? Check out the footer here.
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More information:
Electoral Commission website
Guidance for candidates and agents – Local government elections in England (pdf)
this entry on Friendfeed
Just a quick note but I can’t resist blogging about this.
I met with one of the councillors we are doing a website for today and I love it that he is so excited.
We are setting up a sandbox version to play around with the design, colours and contect soon and he has a million and one ideas.
It’s bliss when you are working with someone who is more excited about the project than you.
local election
Uploaded by pindec on 4 May 06, 4.06PM BST.
It’s no secret that I have a Public Affairs background and I am a bit weird when it comes to political communications (yes, I’ll put my hand up I do watch BBC Parliament).
That’s why I am ecstatic today. SoMaFusion just got a new project with three candidates in the UK local elections.
At the moment there’s not a lot I can share with you (seriously, there are Electoral Commission rules we are researching at the moment) but I really think that it really is worthwhile doing something related to local politics. Not that we would shun national *obviously* but local tends to be a lot more focused and a lot more personal, in a sense they have the ability to put you back in touch with what politics is all about if you get my drift.
I will update as the project progresses, for now we are in research and planning mode for requirements.
Just in case you are not familiar with the British way of doing things DirectGov has got a really clear entry on Local Councillors.
Written by: Sofia a.k.a. the Wordsmith Comments