Economising on candidates: Greens double up and stand in different places

Where there are two levels of local government, it’s quite common for someone to be a councillor for both, such as being both a district and a county councillor in the same area.

However, standing for two councils in different areas is another matter. It’s perfectly legal (as you can qualify in different areas under, for example, the live and work qualifications) but it raises questions about how committed you are to either place – or how you would do the two jobs, representing different areas on different councils, if elected.

So far three Green Party candidates who are doing just that have been spotted in London. Jane Lithgow is standing in Edgware ward, Barnet and also in Forest Gate North ward, Newham; Paul Homer is standing in Hale ward, Barnet and also in Victoria ward, Hackney; Noel Lynch is standing in East Finchley ward, Barnet and also in Bruce Grove ward, Haringey.

Update: another one spotted – Jayne Forbes in South Bermondsey ward, Southwark and in Stroud Green ward, Haringey.