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The Politics Shed- A Free Text Book for all students of Politics.
It is virtually impossible (though there have been rare examples) to be elected to the UK parliament unless a person is adopted by a political party as their ‘official’ candidate. Therefore, in order to enter the House of Commons they must first be selected as a candidate by a party. Selection is carried out by local party constituency committees who draw up a shortlist of proposed candidates and interview them, much as if they were applying for any job.
All proposed candidates will be party members, and many will have ‘cut their teeth’ in politics as a local government councillor. However, sometimes prominent national figures may be chosen because of their high prof le. Labour leader Keir Starmer MP is an example — he is a former Director of Public Prosecutions.
Boris Johnson MP was also an obvious choice as he was still London Mayor at the time of his selection. It helps if the person lives in the constituency they are applying for, but this is not essential. The central party leadership will often try to influence local committees in their choice, but this does not always work. Having been selected as the party candidate, they must then wait for the election and hope that they win.
To become a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK, you must win a democratic election in a specific constituency during a general election or a by-election.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Before taking action, ensure you meet the strict legal criteria outlined by the UK Parliament.
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Citizenship: You must be a British citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, or an eligible Commonwealth citizen.
Disqualifications: You cannot stand if you are a civil servant, judge, member of the police or armed forces, or subject to bankruptcy restriction orders.
2. Choose Your Political Route
You can run for Parliament in one of two ways:
Represent a Political Party (Most Common): The overwhelming majority of MPs represent established parties like Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, or the Green Party.
Run as an Independent: You can stand alone without party backing, though historically very few independent candidates successfully win a seat.
3. Secure a Party Nomination
If you choose the party route, you must pass their internal selection procedures
Join the Party: Become an active, paying member of your chosen political party.
Build a Track Record: Gain experience by volunteering, campaigning, helping with local elections, or serving as a local councillor.
Apply to the Approved List: Pass your party’s national assessment panel to join their official list of approved parliamentary candidates.
Win the Local Selection: Apply for a specific constituency vacancy and convince the local party members to vote for you as their official candidate.
4. Complete the Official Candidacy Requirements
Once the UK Parliament is dissolved and an election is called, you must finalize your official candidacy:
Gather Signatures: Your nomination papers must be signed by at least 10 registered electors from your chosen constituency.
Pay a Deposit: You must submit a £500 deposit to the local returning officer. This money is only refunded if you secure more than 5% of the total votes cast.
Appoint an Agent: You must select an election agent to legally manage your campaign finances and ensure compliance with electoral law. [
5. Campaign and Win
The final step is to win the plurality of votes in your constituency on polling day:
Canvass Voters: Spend weeks knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, and talking to local residents.
Engage the Media: Participate in local hustings (debates), give press interviews, and manage an active online presence.
Win the Vote: The candidate with the most votes in the constituency wins the seat using the First-Past-The-Post system.
If you win, you will take the parliamentary oath of allegiance or make an affirmation to the monarch before officially starting your duties in the House of Commons. You can explore deeper details on career preparation through the government's National Careers Service MP Profile
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