Loss of election funding unfair to blind candidates

✒ IT’S more than a decade since the UK Parliament first introduced the Access to Elected Office Fund to support candidates with disabilities, from parish councillors to MPs. They did this understanding that to have an effective democracy we need to have broad participation from a wide range of people.

In 2020 the fund was closed, creating a dismal position for disabled candidates. Up to 22% of the population have disabilities but only five MPs identify as disabled. If it was a truly representative number, it would be nearer 130.

With the Disability Action Plan the government has offered a glimmer of hope with one hand but taken it away with the other.

The good news is that funding will return, but not until 2025, which means disabled candidates risk being excluded from the next election. It’s not good enough. In the grand scheme of things this is a very small amount of money to ensure fair representation for a healthy and energised democracy. Withholding

these funds is a total own-goal.

for blind and partially sighted candidates the fund provides a lifeline: sighted guides, transport and much more to ensure access to the campaign trail. Without it, we’re missing out on a massive pool of talent.

The Disability Action Plan offers an interim solution: guidance for political parties who want to support their disabled candidates, to be published this summer, developed in collaboration with disabled people. That won’t fill the void that funding has left.

I would urge government to reconsider introducing the fund in time for the next election. Covid has taught us we need a broad church in elected office: in other words, equity in public life. That’s how you retain and nurture real democracy.

Anna Tylor Chair of trustees, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)