Could you be a candidate?

In this update:

 

  1. Why become a councillor?

Being a councillor is an extremely rewarding experience, it gives you the opportunity to help your local community and be part of a dedicated team providing key services for your area.

It's a great way to gain political experience and useful skills in public speaking, conflict resolution and problem solving.

  1. Am I eligible to stand?

To be eligible to stand for Council you must be:

  • At least eighteen years old on the day you are nominated.
  • A British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen, a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, a qualifying EU citizen or an EU citizen with retained rights.

And either:

  • On the electoral register for the council area in which you are seeking election.
  • Have lived or worked in that council area for at least the last twelve months.

View full criteria for England and Wales from the Electoral Commission here. Please note that you cannot work for the council and stand for election to the same council.

  1. What do I need to know?

On day one, you won't be expected to take direct responsibility for the running of the council. The main qualifications required are an interest in your community and a willingness to learn. The knowledge, experience and confidence will soon follow.

You will receive support from the local Party and other local Conservative councillors.

Wirral Council provides induction training and IT support, Council officers are there to help you, and are professionally trained staff employed to carry out the lawful functions and duties of a council.

  1. Do I have the time?

It’s possible to dedicate all of your time on just council work but the vast majority of our councillors also work full time, and have families and hobbies.

Unless you take on further responsibilities such as chairing a committee, your work directly within the Town Hall may not involve more than a few meetings a month (depending on the amount of committees and panels you sit on).

Most of your time as a Councillor will be field based and dedicated to supporting residents and maintaining your local presence, through house visits, surgeries and community events.

The Conservative Group (comprising Councillors) will also hold private meetings, you'll also be part of a team that keeps in touch with residents in your ward - whether that's delivering newsletters or carrying out door to door surveys. You may have further community group meetings within your ward you'll be required to attend.

  1. Can I afford to?

Wirral Council pays an annual allowance of £10,059 to each councillor. This is taxable and paid monthly with tax deducted.

Councillors are also given a laptop to use, at home and in the Town Hall.

  1. Becoming a Conservative Party Council Candidate

We're always looking for new candidates. New candidates can bring fresh ideas and renewed enthusiasm, which can be beneficial for your area.

All Conservative candidates are required to be members of the Conservative Party. Our local Candidate Approvals Committee, chaired by Bobby Cartwright, will manage and arrange the short-listing and selection processes for council candidates in your area.

  1. How do I sign up?

If you're not already a member you'll need to join and have been a Conservative Party member for at least three months before you can stand.

Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch.

  1. What support can the CCA provide?

The Conservative Councillors Association is the national body which works to support Conservative Councillors.

Candidates can join the CCA as a Candidate Member. This entitles you to:

  • Weekly email bulletins containing the latest campaigning information and news updates from the CCA and the Conservative Party
  • Discounted members’ rate at events
  • Access to CCA resources from our CCA Members Secure Area and online training programmes
  • CCA campaign support including our campaigning packs and guides
  • Opportunity to bid for CCA campaign grants
  • Free CCA.voice magazine, issued quarterly
  • CCA staff on hand to help with your research, policy queries, campaigning needs and much more!

We offer training to councillors and produce ‘A Guide to Becoming a Conservative Councillor’. Once elected, the CCA has a wide range of other useful tools and events, such as example motions and online training sessions, that are of great help.

Get involved in our work locally...

Can you help our campaign in this constituency?
We're looking to recruit local champions to represent their community in the Town Hall and help tackle local issues
Lend a hand by delivering 100-150 of our local newsletters (3-4 times a year) in your area or elsewhere in the community
Twice a month, we meet for an hour or so in a different part of our area for delivering leaflets or letters. Coffee on us afterwards!
Or use online banking to 'Wallasey & Birkenhead Conservative Federation', Sort code: 09-01-54 and account number: 00424487 (reference = your postcode)
We organise weekly door-to-door surveys but, with 66,000 residents, it's a big job. Can you lend a hand to help us keep in touch?
Maybe data inputting or folding leaflets? Stuffing envelopes or other 'clerical' help?
On the scale of 0-10, 0 means there would be no chance of you voting for the party and 10 means you would be absolutely certain to vote for the party.
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