The following guidance is effective immediately across the University of Warwick.

During the regulated election period, the University of Warwick must comply with legislation regulated by the Electoral CommissionLink opens in a new window. As a registered charity, the University must also comply with Charity Commission guidelines to ‘retain the essential quality of independence’.

This requires us to abide by the relevant rules regarding political neutrality.

Key principles

• Neutrality
• Transparency
• Legality

Communications

We will make no public comment and issue no publication, article or social media post that could call into question our political impartiality. We recognise that there will be particular sensitivities during the pre-election campaign period.

Some of our staff, academics, and researchers, as experts in their fields, will be called on to offer expert commentary on a range of policy issues as well as on the election process, which is fitting given our role in supporting civil society.

However, as an apolitical body, we must avoid our campus or facilities being used for party political purposes during the campaign.

Therefore, no communication or promotion, either online or in campaign material, should be presented or interpreted as any candidate or party receiving endorsement, explicit or implied, from The University of Warwick.

Further information on the regulated election period can be obtained via The Electoral CommissionLink opens in a new window and the Universities UK General Election 2024 guidanceLink opens in a new window.

Universities UK’s Do's

1. Continue campaigning and supporting issues which you have continuously spoken about.
2. Host a debate between candidates or invite them to issue-focused events provided that you have a range of candidates with any omissions based on fair and objective criteria, and ensure any debates are chaired fairly.
3. Speak to and lobby candidates and seek their views on issues.
4. Publish and promote academic research on analysis on topical issues relevant to the election to promote informed debate or as part of usual academic activities.
5. Host seminars and discussions on topical issues relevant to the election.

Universities UK’s Don't's

1. Advocate for or endorse the views of any individual party or candidate.
2. Explicitly compare the university’s views to those of individual parties or candidates.
3. Donate funds to any individual party or candidate.
4. Allow your organisation to be cited in a candidate’s manifesto or publicity materials without considering how to mitigate any potential impact on the charity’s political independence.
5. Only interact with or offer opportunities to a single party or limited range of candidates.

You are, of course, welcome to campaign and be party political in a personal capacity.

The pre-election period (sometimes known as purdah, although pre-election period is now used) is the period of time between the time an election is announced and the date the election is held when specific restrictions on the activity of civil servants are in place. During elections to the UK Parliament the pre-election period usually starts 25 working days before polling day.

These restrictions do not apply to universities, where they are not themselves public bodies). It does, however, mean that some announcements impacting universities cannot happen until after the election period. For example, if you have a research project funded by UKRI, your work may be subject to restrictions. Guidance will be published by UKRI in due course and this webpage will be updated.

Please contact the University of Warwick press office to inform them of any direct media relations requests press@warwick.ac.ukLink opens in a new window or for urgent inquiries, call +44 (0)7392 125 605