How to stand in the next local elections
If you care about the area that you live or work in and the issues facing local people, you could be a Councillor. The role varies tremendously depending on the nature of your area, the balance of skills within the council group and the sort of experience and knowledge you would bring to the role.
We are opening applications between February 23rd and March 20th for district and town council candidates in May 2023's local elections.
How to apply
There are two ways to apply:
Digital form - Simply apply by filling in the online application at the following link: Apply online
Document - Download the candidate application form by clicking below - you can email this to: [email protected] or send it via post (please allow time before the closing deadline) to Lewes Liberal Democrats, 2nd floor Albion House, Albion Street, Lewes, BN7 2NF.
2023_Local_Election_candidate_application_pack.pdf
The application pack can be downloaded by clicking here or emailing: [email protected]ems.org.uk
Applications for this round of selections close on March 20th at 11pm.
If you're successful with your application, you will be invited for a Zoom interview to approve you as a candidate.
More details and documentation on the selections process are available to members on request at: [email protected]
If you send in an application, it doesn't commit you to standing, but it is important to meet this deadline if you have a particular area in mind.
If you'd like to speak to an existing councillor, we can arrange a call for you so you can understand a little more about the role once elected.
We are looking for people who are:
- of all backgrounds, ages, beliefs and experience who reflect our fantastic area
- who are motivated to campaign and deliver change for their local area
- have an open and tolerant outlook who believe in communities and working together
- who are team players that will support other candidates
If you want to know more about what Liberal Democrats stand for, you can read about our values.
Resources for further information standing for and being a councillor
Here a few places to look for more information about what it's like to stand for election and be a councillor.
- Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors on why you should stand for council: https://www.aldc.org/2020/01/be-a-councillor-why-you-should-stand-for-council/
- A councillor job description from ALDC: ALDC_Approval___Selection_-_Councillor_Job_Description.docx
- Guide on how councils work and how the tiers work: https://www.gov.uk/understand-how-your-council-works
- Local Government Association (LGA) guide: https://www.gov.uk/government/get-involved/take-part/become-a-councillor
- Local Government Association (LGA) guide: Be a councillor. A guide for disabled people https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/be-councillor-guide-disab-e85.pdf
- Ordnance Survey maps, where you can find the electoral maps showing political boundaries: https://osmaps.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/
For information on how we will use your data please go to www.libdems.org.uk/privacy.