General Election 2024 resources
June 5, 2024
The UK General Election takes place on Thursday 4 July 2024.
To help you navigate the rules and regulations around campaigning, understand the best ways to make the voices of the communities you support heard by candidates and more, we’ve compiled some useful resources below.
We’ll continue to update this page between now and election day, so do check back regularly for the latest information.
Pre-election Period of Sensitivity sees funders halt activity
The National Lottery Community Fund and Arts Council England are among funders halting some activity until after the General Election on 4th July. This is in line with the Period of Sensitivity which takes place immediately before every election and places restrictions on the use of public resources like National Lottery and Dormant Assets money.
Find out more about the Period of Sensitivity and what it means for grant decisions in this article from UK Fundraising.
Rural Hustings Event
ACT is running a Rural Hustings on 25 June, online at 5.00pm – 6.30pm.
They will be discussing, with a range of Cumbrian candidates, what their policy approach is to rural communities against the ‘ No rural community left behind – Our recommendations for the next government’ document, that national network, Action With Communities in Rural England (ACRE) has compiled from ACT and other rural organisations feedback.
Find out more and book your place here
General Election checklist: speak out but protect your charity
“Charity staff, trustees and volunteers all have a role to play in protecting their charity from falling foul of the rules but also in maintaining its reputation. This could be a nasty and divisive election campaign, and charities may unwittingly find themselves in the firing line from some politicians and the media…”
In this article, Jay Kennedy, DSC’s Director of Policy and Research, offers up some simple things to think about which will help you stay on the right side of the rules and out of the headlines for the wrong reasons.
NPC – ‘Partners for Change’ election resource
NPC (New Philanthropy Capital) have published ‘Partners for Change’, a paper that makes recommendations around how civil society should be a key partner in delivering the new government’s plans to revitalise the country.
At the moment, civil society’s resources and expertise are being under-utilised by the state. But, if the next government works with funders and charities, it can truly tackle some of the most entrenched and growing social challenges that we face.
Tinkering around the edges can’t solve these major challenges. In this paper, NPC sets out how to make it happen.
1. Increase and incentivise philanthropy, social investment, and charitable activity where it’s most needed.
2. Establish formal structures to give the voluntary sector a strong voice in national and local government.
3. Keep focusing on impact.
NCVO Voluntary sector hustings
Wednesday 19 June. Join NCVO online for a voluntary sector hustings featuring Labour’s Shadow Minister for Charities, Lilian Greenwood, and the Liberal Democrat’s culture, media and sport spokesperson Jamie Stone, with speakers from the Conservative Party, the Green Party, Reform UK, the SNP and Plaid Cymru to be confirmed.
This online hustings will provide an opportunity for you to hear from the main political parties about their vision for civil society and respond to questions from charities.
Westmorland & Furness Council information for the General Election
Westmorland & Furness council have a website page, including:
- Which constituency you’re eligible to vote in
- Application to vote deadline
- Applications for postal voting
- Photo ID requirements
Cumberland Council election email newsletter
This newsletter from 10 June provides a range of key information and links, including:
- Candidates announced for the general election
General Election – which constituency do you live in?
General election – key deadlines for voters
Do you need to register to vote?
New rules for postal voting
Voter ID
Where to find out more
Election guidance for charities
Following the announcement of a General Election, the Charity Commission have issued guidance for charities, political activity and campaigning. There is a short 5 minute introductory guide and more detailed guidance if you need it.
What do charities need to know ahead of the general election?
Charities may be thinking about engaging with politics in so far as it impacts their causes. Many in the charity sector have been speaking up and sharing their expertise and opinion. As charities offer frontline support and expert understanding, it is important their voices continue to be heard over coming weeks.
This article from Civil Society rounds up information on charity law, five-minute guides – for charities using social media and on political activity and campaigning, election law and more.
Next government must not leave rural charities behind
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is urging politicians of all persuasions not to forget the needs and circumstances of people living and working in the countryside in the run up to the general election.
The charity claims that for too long, governments have overlooked the challenges that rural residents face, including diminishing public services, inadequate infrastructure, and housing which has become increasingly unaffordable resulting in hidden poverty and ageing communities.
ACRE has set out a suite of policy recommendations for the next government which you can read here
Key information on the upcoming elections
In this newsletter from Cumberland Council there is a link to details on elections they are managing for three Parliamentary constituencies: Carlisle; Penrith and Solway; and Whitehaven and Workington.
There are also links to information on:
- Registering to vote
- Applying for a postal or proxy vote
- Voter ID
- More sources of election information
The Voluntary Sector Manifesto
Shaped by NCVO and ACEVO’s community of 17,000+ members, the manifesto is a tool for us all to use to share our collective vision for the future, set out our asks and show how a future government can work with charities and voluntary organisations to tackle some of the biggest issues facing our society.
As a charity or voluntary organisation, you can use the manifesto to start conversations with parties and candidates and inform your election campaigning strategy.
The Voluntary Sector Manifesto is available here, alongside tools, resources and guidance to help you through the election period.
Political campaigning as a charity
Charities play an important role in advocating for policy change. Elections can be a key opportunity to further your charitable and campaigning goals. This article from NCVO covers the following areas:
- What is campaigning?
- Charity campaigning law
- Electoral law
- Joint campaigning
- Digital imprints
- More resources
General election 2024: What charities should be doing
This article from NCVO contains sections and links on the following topics:
- Use the opportunity to get your voice heard
- Remember legislation could be passed quickly
- Check the rules so you can campaign with confidence
- Think about how to engage after the election
How to navigate a general election
With a UK general election looming around the corner, Charity Digital share some resources to help charities campaign effectively and within the rules.
What are UK political parties offering charities in 2024?
Labour and Conservative Party politicians are already offering strong hints on how they intend to work with charities should they win 2024’s general election.
Charity leaders urged to ‘campaign with confidence’ as Sunak calls general election
Civil society leaders have been encouraged to “campaign with confidence” after prime minister Rishi Sunak yesterday evening called a general election.
Sunak announced outside 10 Downing Street that a general election will be held on 4 July, and that King Charles has agreed to dissolve parliament on 30 May.
