Can civil servants vote? Political activity rules explained

Can civil servants vote?

Yes. The UK's voting eligibility rules, such as being registered, being old enough and meeting the citizenship rules, don't exclude anyone because of their job. Civil servants vote in general, local and devolved elections like anyone else. Crown servants working abroad, such as some diplomatic staff, can register to vote through a dedicated route.

Why there are rules on political activity

The Civil Service Code requires civil servants to be politically impartial: to serve governments of any party equally well and keep public confidence in that. So while voting is private and unrestricted, more visible political activity is limited according to how close a role is to ministers and policy.

The three categories

The Civil Service Management Code and the government's election guidance divide civil servants into three groups:

• Politically free: industrial and non-office grades. They can take part in all political activities.
• Politically restricted: members of the Senior Civil Service, Grades 6 and 7 (or equivalent), and members of the Fast Stream. They must not take part in national political activities and must ask permission for local political activities.
• Intermediate: all other civil servants. They need their department's permission to take part in national or local political activity, unless their department has already given general permission for their grade or area.

"Political activity" here includes things like holding office in a political party, speaking in public on politically controversial matters, publishing letters or articles on them, canvassing for a candidate, and standing for election.

Rules that apply to everyone

• No civil servant may take part in political activity while on duty, in uniform, or on official premises.
• Those who aren't politically free must show "a proper reticence" on politically controversial matters unless they have permission.
• Trade union activity doesn't need permission.

Can a civil servant stand for Parliament?

Not while remaining a civil servant. Anyone employed in the civil service is disqualified from being an MP, so civil servants must resign before standing. The election guidance says this must happen on formal adoption as a prospective parliamentary candidate. Departments must reinstate politically free staff who aren't elected, if they apply within a week of the declaration. For other staff, reinstatement is at the department's discretion. Standing for a local council is covered by the permission rules above.

What happens during an election campaign?

Before an election, the government issues guidance on conduct for civil servants for that period, once called "purdah" and now usually the "pre-election period". The core principle is that civil servants must avoid anything that could call their political impartiality into question, or suggest that public resources are being used for party political purposes. It doesn't affect their own right to vote.

Special advisers are different

Special advisers are temporary civil servants appointed to support ministers politically. They aren't bound by the impartiality requirements in the same way, and special rules apply to them during elections. See who counts as a civil servant.

Your own department's guidance is the final word for your role, so check it before taking part in any political activity.