Why Does Party Registration Matter? Let's Unite

A screenshot of the EC's PEF Online system

"The Just Political Party" is registered with the Electoral Commission as party 2520., Why does that matter?

1. A candidate not representing a party is an "independent"
2. An independent candidate cannot have a party name or party symbol on the ballot paper.  Just their own personal details.  That also impacts campaigning.
3. Conversely, a candidate representing a registered party can have the party name or one of its registered "Descriptions" (eg "The Just Party" abbreviation) and a party logo.  Using these makes the candidate look completely different on the ballot paper and campaign materials.

Furthermore the candidate's status is as exists at the time the candidate is nominated for the election.  The nomination deadline is 4 weeks before the election, and typically a couple of weeks after the election is called.

It typically takes 6 weeks or more for a party application to be approved by the Electoral Commission.  Longer if there are any problems.  There's various checks they need to make.  That's on top of the time it takes to compile the requisite documents, and get them approved by the party before submission.

So in practice a new party must already be registered when a General Election is called.  Then the party's candidates can use party details in nominations for the election.

If the dubious arrangement between the Tories and DUP fails in Parliamentary votes, the next General Election could be called as early as August.   That's a nomination deadline in July.

More and more people are saying they are looking for a centrist anti-Brexit party to contest the next election. Let's unite around The Just Party so we're ready.