Government reported for breaking purdah rules
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
The Liberal Democrats have this morning written to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to report Ministers for breaking Purdah rules over today's maths policy announcement.
Cabinet Office Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats Christine Jardine has written to Mr Case and argued that now we are in the pre-election ‘purdah’ period in relation to local elections in England the announcement has breached the rules.
The Government’s own guidance on purdah makes clear that “it needs to be borne in mind that the activities of the UK Government could have a bearing on the election [campaign]”, stressing that “care also needs to be taken in relation to the announcement of UK Government decisions which could have a bearing on the elections”.
The Lib Dems have called for an investigation to be opened into whether the announcement breached rules.
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said:
“We need an investigation immediately into this announcement and the Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about whether his Government ignored the rules.
“This Government knows that the writing is on the wall ahead of the local elections this May and so they are intent on bending the rules to do whatever they can to salvage seats.
“People are tired and fed up with this Conservative Government's intent on fiddling the rules and operating in murky waters, and that’s why millions of people are set to send them a message they won’t be able to ignore.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Letter from Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson Christine Jardine to Cabinet Secretary Simon Case:
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
I am writing ahead of the Government announcement today on mathematics.
As you will be aware, the Prime Minister is expected to announce a package of measures on maths, including “a new advisory group…to advise government on…core maths content”, a commitment to “extending maths hubs”, and the introduction of “a new voluntary and fully funded professional qualification for teachers leading maths in primary schools”.
I am highly concerned that this announcement is breaching purdah rules. As you will be aware, we are now in the pre-election ‘purdah’ period, which began on Thursday 13 April in relation to local elections in England.
The Government’s own guidance on purdah makes clear that “it needs to be borne in mind that the activities of the UK Government could have a bearing on the election [campaign]”, stressing that “care also needs to be taken in relation to the announcement of UK Government decisions which could have a bearing on the elections”.
Further, the guidance is clear that, “particular care should be taken over official support, and the use of public resources, including publicity, for government announcements that could have a bearing on matters relevant to the elections.”
Today’s announcement on mathematics has been fully supported by Government resources, including a Downing Street pressrelease. Education is also clearly an area of relevant importance to local authorities and, accordingly, a local election campaign. I am therefore very concerned that the purdah rules have been breached by the Government in regards to this announcement.
I therefore urge you to open an investigation as to whether this announcement breached purdah rules. If concerns were expressed by officials, were they ignored by Conservative ministers?
I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Christine Jardine MP
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson
