We have received a number of enquiries from members seeking advice on pre-election campaigning and activity. As yet Napo has not issued guidance specifically because, like you, we have not yet seen any formal advice from NOMS.
Further, we understand that the outgoing Government changed some rules about ‘political activity’ without consultation at the last minute. We are in touch with our sister civil service unions, in particular the FDA, and will endeavour to issue further substantive information as quickly as possible.
In the meantime here are some basic principles that should hold members who intend to campaign on behalf of Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPC’s) in good stead.
• Unless you've been specifically informed you are in a highly restricted post (e.g. CPO and possibly ACOs will likely have been) you'll be relatively free to campaign normally in a personal capacity. This can include leafletting and canvassing.
• It's quite rare to be asked by the public what you do for a living when canvassing. If asked you should say you are a Probation officer or work for the Probation service rather than a civil servant, but it is best not to lead or in any way be seen to campaign overtly against your employer specifically.
• Be careful about social media posts about your employer - this is a form of publishing and holds regardless of whether there is an election or not.
• At public 'hustings' you can safely ask questions, even about probation remembering the above "normal rules". It is also advisable not to wear partisan paraphernalia in favour of a particular PPC when doing so.
• If you campaign in a Napo capacity (i.e. being invited to speak about TR at a public meeting as say the local Napo Branch Chair) you can't be directly partisan toward any party in particular, as Napo is non-affiliated and has no political fund. However feel free to carry on telling people how awful and dangerous TR has been.
• Many civil servants are councillors so standing for local council elections should not be an issue. Do inform your line manager in writing first though.
Members who encounter difficulties during the pre-election campaign should seek initial advice from their Napo Branch representative who if necessary should contact me at Chivalry Road at tbassett@napo.org.uk
Please find attached a copy of Napo's Manifesto Asks paper outlining our demands of an incoming government. Please share this with your local Parliamentary candidates whose contact details can be found on the attached excel spreadsheet. This will help inform local debate, allow members to ask questions at hustings and make it clear what Napo's key asks are for the future. A copy of this document is also being sent to all party leaders, political interest groups and stakeholders.
TANIA BASSETT
National Official, Press Parliament and Campaigns
For Napo's Manifesto Asks, click here
For the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates' list, click here