The following is a guide to the qualities the Party looks for in a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (”PPC”). The role of a PPC contains a substantial developmental and organisational element in most Constituencies, as well as the policy and presentational elements.

Teambuilding

• Able to build and lead a campaign team

Motivation

• Enthusiastic about the campaign and their part in it
• Able to motivate Constituency Officers and members
• Able to attract new members and helpers to take part in the campaign

Interaction with other people

• Able to develop effective working relationships with members and the campaign team
• Able to interact well with the public, including minorities, those with disabilities, different age groups, etc.
• Able to deal with ‘difficult’ people successfully

Strategy Planning

• Able to work with the campaign team to formulate and agree a long-term strategy and short/medium term tasks for the constituency
• Able to assess a strategy appropriate to the level of development of the constituency

Electoral Expectations

• Have realistic electoral expectations and set targets accordingly

Constituency Issues

• Have the ability to gain quickly an understanding of the area and the issues affecting local people
• Ensure correspondence and casework dealt with effectively and promptly

Public Profile

• To present a good image of the Party to the public
• To be of such character as not to bring the Party into ill-repute

Party Policy

• Good all round understanding of principles and policy
• Embracing and practising the fundamental values and objectives of the Party
• Understanding of relevance of policy issues and applying them to the constituency
• Able to present and defend Party policy
• Able to keep up to date with topical issues

Personal Organisation & Delegation

• Well organised and competent
• Reliable at meeting deadlines
• Able to prioritise activities needing his/her attention
• Good manager of time
• Able to delegate effectively

Time Commitment

• Able to devote the time which the role demands
• Prepared to be abailable for an amount of time agreed with the Local Party

Literature

• Able to contribute positively to literature produced

Dealing with the media

• Able to establish a good relationship with the local media
• Perform well in interviews on local radio and by local press

Public speaking

• Able to address public meetings
• Speaking appropriately for audience
• Presenting party policy appropriately
• Able to answer questions

Does it sound like a lot? It certainly is, but don’t despair. Much of this boils down to having common sense and being well organised, skills that you have will need to have acquired in all walks of life (from looking after a young family to managing a business). You can also get further training in any areas you feel need boosting.

Remember the three Ps: passion, planning and persistence. Everything else you can learn.

Still interested? The Gender Balance and Ethnic Minority Election Task Forces can provide you with further advice and support as appropriate, and you can get a PPC application form from the Party’s Candidates Office. Simply select what you want below: