Q: How can I support the Conservative Party at the next general election?
A: By donating, joining the Party, volunteering your time to help out with the campaign, or displaying a poster in your garden or window. Please contact us for more information.
Q: Are there legal limits to how much I can donate?
A: You may donate £500 per transaction without restrictions. If you are a registered elector you may donate without limit. However, all donations in excess of £500 must be reported. In addition, names of those who donate more than £1,000 will be made public by the Electoral Commission.
Q: How do I find my constituency and my MP?
A: Click here enter your postcode and click on “Find MP”, or contact us for the information.
Q: How can I register to vote?
A: Visit the Electoral Commission’s official web site and click on “Register to Vote”.
Q: I am a British citizen living abroad. Can I vote in British elections?
A: Yes you can, by registering and voting by post or proxy in the constituency where you last lived. For registration forms click here if you are a British Citizen, and here if you are a Crown Civil Servant or British Council Employee based abroad.
Q: How long do I need to be on the Register of Electors before I can vote?
A: You must be registered by the middle of the month preceding the date of the polls. E.g. for the local elections to be held on 5th May, 2011 you must register no later than 15th April, 2011.
Q: What is the Electoral Roll?
A: Parlance for the (official) Register of Electors, held by your Borough Council.
Q: I am foreign. Can I vote in Britain?
A: You can in local and European parliamentary elections, but not in elections for the House of Commons. To vote in European elections you must register two months ahead of the polls and give up the right to vote in your native country for the entire year in which the election is held.
Q: Do I need to bring my polling card to the polling station?
A: No, this is not necessary.
Q: Why do people outside the polling station ask for my poll card number?
A: These so called “tellers” will use your polling card number to anonynously track who has voted.
Q: Am I obliged to give my poll card number to tellers outside the polling station?
A: No, you are not. This is a matter of personal discretion.
Q: When I go to the polls can I openly display my political preference?
A: You cannot inside polling stations, where display of rosettes, buttons, banners and other political paraphernalia is prohibited by law.
Q: How can I be sure that ballot papers are safe and accurately counted?
A: All ballot boxes are protected with tamper-proof seals. Each political party standing in the polls is represented by Counting Agents, who witness the count and have the right to request a recount.
Q: Can I bring my parliamentary case with an MP of my choosing?
A: No, legally only the MP for the constituency in which you reside may pick up your case, even if he or she is not the person for whom you voted. Henry Bellingham, your current Conservative MP, will pick up every case irrespective of party politics.
Q: Can I bring my case regarding European matters with an MEP of my choosing?
A: You can bring your case with any of the 7 MEPs representing the East of England European parliamentary constituency. Your Conservative MEPs in the East of England are Geoffrey van Orden, Robert Sturdy and Vicky Ford.
Q: How will constituency boundary changes affect my vote?
A: At the last parliamentary election, the Walton, St. Lawrence, Mershe Lande and Wiggenhall wards were transferred to South West Norfolk. However, this boundary change has no bearing on district and county council elections. Therefore, residents of the Walton, St. Lawrence, Mershe Lande and Wiggenhall wards will continue to vote and be represented by their current King's Lynn & West Norfolk district councillors and Norfolk county councillors.
