VOTERS may not know it, but they are now in a “purdah” period until General Election day, May 6.

That’s the unofficial word coined by civil servants and council officials for a period of relative silence from authorities. A Tees area council spokesman explains: “The purdah period began as soon as the election was called and its restrictions are in force until polling day is over.

“From the council’s PR point of view, there is a ban on publicising the views of political parties, whether through press releases, quotes, photocalls or anything that could be seen to promote one political agenda over another.

“We’re not issuing any comments from cabinet members during this time, but could come up with something from a spokesman for the council if that helps? Essentially we’d just be saying that we’re abiding by the rules, as every council across the land must do.”

Plucky pair

LAST week’s Leading Article, provocatively headlined “Election over”, has predictably triggered a rapid response from two of our North Yorkshire candidates (see Letters, above).

The article pointed out that, because of the first-past-the-post voting system favoured, up to now, by the two main parties, almost all the seats in the D&S Times area were foregone conclusions, no matter what the wider outcome.

While Spectator isn’t sure if William Hague and Anne McIntosh are exactly quaking in their boots, you have to admire the pluck of Messrs Meredith and Keal in throwing down the gauntlet so publicly. Yes, they both could win – as Hughie Green used to say: “Remember, it’s your votes that count.”

‘Winterisation’

WE’VE just had “winterisation” for a few months. That’s official, says Redcar and Cleveland Council. The word appeared in the minutes of its coastal area committee for the February meeting, just issued. What will they call spring? Would spring or springtime be too simple?