The period of time from when an election is announced until after the election is held hasbeen known as ‘purdah’ but is now more often referred to as the pre-election period.
There are guidelines for civil servants for what they can and cannot do during purdah – updated guidance due out imminently details rules with social media.
Now, I am not a civil servant but am currently contracted to the Home Office and often speak of work here and on my twitter stream, and I am expected to abide by the same rules as everyone else.
In light of all this, and the mounting ‘to do’ list, I am going to be spending purdah off twitter and not blogging.
Back after May 6th.
Emma Mulqueeny 
‘March 6th’ — dammit, you mean I’ve missed it already?
HA! Sorry 🙂 have changed
Pingback: Purdah « learn4kicks
the official Cabinet Office guidance is here http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/civil_service/election_guidance.aspx yes Twitter gets a specific mention as do social networking sites more generally 🙂
Ooh thanks David,very useful.
Pingback: Babel falls silent | Public Strategist