Dear Ealing Council,

I just thought I should let you know there’s a parliamentary by-election on, in case you hadn’t noticed.

Yours,

A. Geek

The most likely explanation, of course, is that the council’s electoral administration department are completely snowed under – not surprising given the absurdly short timescale to which they are being made to work. No doubt wary of the challenge from the Liberal Democrats, Labour have called a quick by-election – although the council in Ealing had a week’s more notice than in Sedgefield.

It’s interesting to note from the notice of the concurrent Ealing Council by-election that the deadline for nominations was Friday 22nd June – almost a week before the writ for the parliamentary by-election had been moved. What a bizarre democracy we live in where a council by-election takes longer than a parliamentary one.

Well done to the LibDem team and helpers working on the Dudden Hill council by-election in Brent – we won by 85 votes. Congratulations to Cllr Pawan Gupta who is therefore re-elected.

That’s the question spreading its way through teh internets this afternoon.

Bob Neill, already employed in various jobs and seeking to become Tory MP for Bromley & Chislehurst, is a board member of the North East London Strategic Health Authority (and you’re right, Bromley isn’t in North East London – well spotted).

According the Part III of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975, among the “Other Disqualifying Offices” which would prevent one taking a seat in the House of Commons are:

Chairman or any member, not being also an employee, of any [Strategic Health Authority,] Health Authority or Special Health Authority which is a relevant authority for the purposes of paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 5 to the National Health Service Act 1977.

So this is one job from which Bob would have to resign if elected by the good people of Bromley.

It does prompt a big question though, as raised by the Monkey. When Neill signed his nomination paper to stand in the by-election, did he have to certify that he was not covered by the provisions of the 1975 Act at the time of signing? Perhaps someone who knows about these administrative matters can get to the bottom of it.

(Via Rob.)

Bromley LibDems have selected local councillor Ben Abbotts as their candidate for the pending Bromley & Chis by-election. I recall delivering leaflets with Ben in Orpington prior to the general election and he seemed a thoroughly nice chap – best of luck to him. He was our PPC in Sevenoaks at the last election and succeeded in overtaking Labour to move into second place in that seat.

The LibDem by-election HQ is now open on Bromley High Street.