Theme: Parties & Elections | Content Type: Journal article

Who Runs for Office? Understanding Candidate Diversity, Safety and Localism in the UK General Election 2024

Sofia Collignon and Wolfgang Rüdig

paul-silvan-cRC-TvUX4OA-unsplash

paul silvan

| 1 min read

A record number of candidates contested parliamentary seats in the 2024 general election in the United Kingdom. This article discusses three key aspects that have garnered attention from both academics and practitioners studying the characteristics, motivations and experiences of candidates: gender representation, security concerns and local residency. Candidate data shows that, despite an increase in female MPs, the overall number of female candidates declined, highlighting structural barriers within party selection processes. Second, the rise in harassment, abuse and intimidation has led many candidates, particularly women, to withhold their home addresses on ballot papers, impacting their perceived local connection to voters. Finally, while localism remains a valued asset for candidates, security concerns diminish its role in contemporary campaigns. Challenges for future elections remain for political parties to address gender imbalances during the selection process, enhance candidate safety and reconsider local engagement strategies to foster a more inclusive and connected political landscape.

Read the full article on Wiley

Need help using Wiley? Click here for help using Wiley

  • sofia.jpg

    Sofia Collignon

    Sofia Collignon is Senior Lecturer in Comparative Politics at the School of Politics and International Relations, Queen Mary University of London.

    Articles by Sofia Collignon
  • Wolfgang Rüdig

    Wolfgang Rüdig

    Wolfgang Rüdig is Reader in Politics at the School of Government and Public Policy, University of Strathclyde.

    Articles by Wolfgang Rüdig