To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the decision by some returning officers not to allow candidates to describe themselves as Labour and Co-operative Party on the ballot paper. [79336]

My Department has issued advice to returning officers suggesting that a candidate who wishes to use a description on the ballot paper which might lead voters to associate him or her with more than one political party should be able to do so as long as the description is authorised by certificates issued by, or on behalf, of the nominating officers of both parties.