Tory councillors in North Northamptonshire have been told they must do 30 sessions of canvassing if they want to stand in the upcoming local elections.
The Kettering Constituency Conservative Association in Northamptonshire told prospective councillors for North Northamptonshire Council that they would have to canvass for the local MP at weekends if they wanted to be eligible to stand in the May 2025 elections.
‘By standing for election, there is an expectation that all candidates will support the upcoming campaigns by actively canvassing and leafleting,’ read the email.
‘Candidates wishing to stand for NNC [North Northamptonshire Council] will need to have attended a minimum of 30 Operation Doorstep sessions to be able to go forward for candidate approval in the first wave.’
One councillor told the BBC: ‘I just smiled when I saw it, I don't have the time to commit to that. I've been involved with the Conservatives for 25 years. This doesn't help to attract new candidates.’
