HL Deb 04 May 2004 vol 660 c102WA
Lord Greaves

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the local authority standards boards and their codes of conduct have any legal standing or functions in relation to the conduct of candidates, political parties and election agents in local elections. [HL2502]

Lord Rooker

The code of conduct, which is policed by the Standards Board for England, applies to local government members. Councillors, whether or not they are conducting re-election campaigns, remain under an obligation to act in accordance with the code. Any allegations that members had breached the code would be considered by the Standards Board in line with its usual procedures. The board has no remit in respect of political parties, candidates or election agents unless the candidates or agents are already councillors.