Deposit (politics) - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Currently, the deposit in elections to the House of Commons is £500, which must be handed in, in cash, banker's draft, or other forms of legal tender, when the candidate submits his or her nomination papers. It is refunded provided that the candidate gains one-twentieth (5%) or more of the total valid votes cast in the constituency.

Between 1918 and 1985, the cost of a Parliamentary deposit was £150 but the threshold for retaining it (i.e., having the money returned to the candidate) was winning one-eighth (12.5%) of total valid votes cast.

Deposits also must be paid by candidates for election to the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, for Mayor of London or a member of the London Assembly, the Northern Ireland Assembly or British constituencies of the European Parliament. A deposit of £500 is also required for mayoral elections in those English or Welsh local authorities that govern by the election of an executive mayor.

Deposits are also required in the electoral jurisdictions of countries other than the United Kingdom, particularly those that have parallels with the Westminster parliamentary system. A deposit of £5000 is required for elections for Police Commissioners.

In recent times, a candidate for a major party losing their deposit in an election is regarded as something of an embarrassment.