After years of campaigning, Oldham’s Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE has welcomed the news that laws will be changed to prevent people on the sex offenders register holding elected office.

Councillor Sykes said, “I am pleased that the common-sense law change is finally coming into effect.  Rishi Sunak announced that the government would adopt this proposal back when he was a Local Government Minister in 2018 but he’s dragged his feet on getting the law changed.”

The changes to the Local Government Act were finally put before MPs in June and were signed off by both Houses of Parliament on July 6^th.  The Statuary Instruments (S.I) to make this law have now also been approved.  The new regulations come into effect immediately for all local elections in England.

Councillor Sykes said, “People expect the highest standards from those who serve in public office.  I am glad this loophole has at long last been plugged, shame it took so long.”

TIMELINE: Local Authority and Combined Authority Elections (Nomination of Candidates) (Amendment)

 Timeline – SI 2022 – Statutory Instruments – UK Parliament

Councillor Sykes calls for law change 

November 2021

Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader calls on government to close sex offenders’ loophole | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

October 2021

Liberal Democrats welcome second reading of new bill to bar sex offenders from public office | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

July 2021

Third time lucky: Liberal Democrat Leader again backs change in law to bar sex offenders from public office | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

November 2020

Conservative Government still gives no commitment to disbar sex offenders from public office two years after promise was made to do so | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

March 2017

Disqualification of a Councillor who is placed on the sex offenders’ register | Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)