The Greater London Authority Elections (Election Addresses) Order 2003

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order makes provision for the free delivery of election addresses of Mayoral candidates. The provision is solely for an ordinary election of the Greater London Authority, where an election for the return of the Mayor is held with elections for London members and constituency members to the London Assembly.

Article 5 provides conditions as to the content of the election addresses and article 6 as to the form. Under article 5(1) and (2), the content must relate to the election only and specifically excludes material which is for advertising, refers to any other candidate at the ordinary election or is material that, in the Greater London returning officer’s view, is included with a view to commercial gain, is indecent, obscene or offensive, or which, if published, would be likely to amount to the commission of a criminal offence.

Under article 7 the addresses are prepared in a booklet by the Greater London returning officer (“GLRO”) but an address shall not be included if the requirements in articles 5, 6 and 10 as to form, content and financial contribution to the printing cost are not met.

Article 8 provides for the form of the booklet. The order of election addresses is determined by lot drawn by the GLRO. The booklet must also contain an explanation from the GLRO as to the nature and purpose of the booklet and lists of candidates for election as Mayor and to the Assembly.

Article 9 provides for the delivery of the election booklets at the expense of the Authority. The booklets are to be delivered using a universal service provider, or person licensed under Part II of the Postal Services Act 2000 or by any means for which a licence is not needed due to the exceptions in section 7 of that Act.

Article 10 makes a contribution of £10,000 towards the cost of printing the booklets a condition for inclusion of an election address on behalf of a candidate. There is provision for reimbursement of any surplus if the average printing cost for each candidate whose address is included is less than £10,000.

Article 11 ensures the contribution in article 10 counts as an election expense of a candidate under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, but does not make any expenditure by the GLRO under this Order count as third party election expense for the candidate.