Candidate School Programme

Following a successful programme ahead of the May 2022 local elections, we are very excited to be holding the below series of virtual events for candidates in 2023.


As part of the LGA’s ‘Be a Councillor’ campaign, the LGA Independent Group is delighted to announce the 2023 Candidate School is officially open!

Are you thinking about standing for Council but don’t know where to begin? Are you interested in finding out more before committing? Do you want to hear from elected Councillors about their experiences in standing for Council? If the answer is yes, the Candidate School is for you!

Over a series of nine sessions, elected Councillors and guest speakers will share their advice and experiences covering all aspects of standing as a Councillor to getting elected. You will have a chance to ask questions and make contacts that will help you along the way!

All events are completely free to attend and will be online. Some events have limited places, but we will endeavour to accommodate as many people as possible.

If you would like to register your attendance, please email the Group Office at the following address: [email protected], and let us know which sessions you would like to attend and a teams link will be sent out to you.

Below is the official programme of events with a breakdown of what each session covers.

LGA Independent Group Candidate School 2023:

  1. Standing as a Councillor – An Independent Perspective – Friday 10th February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: To understand the process of standing as a Candidate to being elected and serving as a Local Councillor.

    Issues to be covered: Why stand as an Independent? Why get involved in local politics? How does local Government work?

     
  2. Elections 2023 – The Key Issues – Monday 13th February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: To identify and understand the key issues affecting the May 2023 local Elections.

    Issues to be covered: What are the major local and national issues affecting this year’s elections? What are the issues in your local area? What matters to you?

     
  3. Campaigning and Communication – Thursday 16th February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: To explore the benefits of campaigning and communication and sharing best practice.

    What is campaigning? How to create your leaflet? Creating ‘effective messages’. The different communication methods.

     
  4. ‘Elect Her’ - Tuesday 21st February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: Elect Her is a non-partisan organisation working to motivate, support and equip women in all their diversity to stand for political office in Britain.

    Exploring the range of support for women across the political spectrum wanting to explore stepping into politics and running for election.

     
  5. Diversity Week– Thursday 23rd February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: Increasing representation from underrepresented groups, backgrounds or experiences.

    Encouraging people from underrepresented groups, backgrounds or experiences to stand for election.

     
  6. Social Media – Tuesday 28th February (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: Using Social Media as an effective tool for communicating and campaigning

    What is social media? ‘Twitter vs. Facebook vs. Instagram – Which is better?’ Campaigning and Communicating via Social Media

     
  7. Canvassing – Thursday 2nd March (online) – 7pm – 8.30pm

    Aim: Knowing your constituency and your voters

    What is canvassing? ‘Getting out the vote’ – creating an effective operation

In person events

  1. Catch up with a Councillor – Friday 17th March (Venue: Local Government Association, Smith Square, Westminster) – 7pm – 9pm

    Aim: To hear from current Councillors about their experiences in standing, getting elected and serving as a Councillor.

    In a relaxed setting, a Q&A panel consisting of leading Councillors from the Independent Group will share their experiences in standing, getting elected and serving as a Councillor. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to mingle and meet with Councillors!

     
  2. Looking beyond – 2024/25 Elections – Friday 24th March (Venue: Local Government Association, Smith Square, Westminster) – 7pm – 9pm

    Aim: To hear from current Councillors and special guests about the future challenges and opportunities in standing for election.

    In a relaxed setting, members of the public interested in standing sometime in the future, will interact with a Q&A panel consisting of leading Councillors from the Independent Group and special guests about the opportunities available in standing for local Government in the future and the support networks on offer.