Releasing equalities data
Public scrutiny of parties and their commitment to equality and diversity is important during an election. To assure voters you take diversity seriously, parties should be releasing equalities data about your candidates before an election. You should then be re-surveying your successfully elected representatives and releasing that data as soon as possible after the election.Smaller parties with a small number of candidates and/or fewer seats will need to consider whether releasing data about a person’s identity might unintentionally release personal or traceable information about a candidate into the public domain without their consent. For example, if you only have two candidates and you send a press release saying 50% of your candidates are disabled, it might be possible for the public to work out who that person is. Also be aware that people might not disclose their identity in all areas of their lives. For example, an LGBTI candidate might have disclosed their identity to friends in the party but not wish this to be made public.
If any of the above is a concern, make sure you speak to the person to ensure they are happy with you releasing information about them before you do it.
To summarise, the action parties should be taking on equalities data are:
- Using an equalities monitoring form when people put themselves forward to be a candidate and again after they are elected
- Have someone at the count to collect the equalities data at each of the counts
- Having an agreed timeline for releasing equalities data after selection and after your candidates have been elected
- Ensure equalities information is anonymous unless you have the consent of the people involved
