Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what rules on standing for (a) local and (b) national political office apply to (i) regular and (ii) reserve personnel.

Local Government Elections

Regular and Reserve Serving personnel may not accept membership of any local authority or allow themselves to be nominated for election to any such body, without the permission of Defence.

National Elections

Regular Armed Forces personnel and members of the Reserve Forces when serving on a full-time service commitment must apply for permission to retire voluntarily or resign or be granted a free discharge from their Service before their formal adoption as a Parliamentary candidate Such personnel must complete their last day of service before their formal adoption as a candidate