Some words cannot be used on ballot papers without being qualified by other words. This applies to the plural or singular of the prohibited words, as well as the prohibited words written in another language.
These words are split into four categories (see below).
In addition to the rules below, you cannot register ‘None of the above’ either in isolation or in conjunction with other words or expressions.
Category 1
Category 1 prohibited words are: Duke, Duchess, Her Majesty, His Majesty, King, Prince, Princess, Queen, Royal, Royalty
These words cannot be used in identity marks on their own. You can only use category 1 words in conjunction with the name of a place, institution or local government area.
For example you cannot use ‘Royal Forever Party’ because ‘Royal’ is not being used with the name of a place, institution or local government area.
You could use ‘Royal Tunbridge Wells Party’ because ‘Royal’ is being used in conjunction with a place.
Category 2
Category 2 prohibited words are: Britain, British, England, English, National, Scotland, Scots, Scottish, United Kingdom, Wales, Welsh
These words cannot be used in identity marks on their own. You can only use category 2 words if you use them with another word or expression other than the name or description of a party already registered in the relevant part of the UK.
For example you cannot register ‘English One Big Party’ if there was an already registered ‘One Big Party’, because ‘English’ is being used with the name of an existing registered party.
Category 3
Category 3 prohibited words are: Independent, Official, Unofficial
These words cannot be used in identity marks on their own. You can only use category 3 words if the word is used with another word or expression, but not with any of:
an existing registered name or description
only with the word ‘party’
another category 3 word
For example you cannot use the ‘Independent Stop the Bypass Party’ if there was an already registered ‘Stop the Bypass Party’ because ‘Independent’ is being used with the name of an existing registered party. You cannot register the ‘Independent Party’.
Category 4
Category 4 prohibited words are: Ratepayers, Residents, Tenants
These words cannot be used in identity marks on their own. You can only use category 4 words in conjunction with the name of a local government or geographical area. For example you can register ‘Residents of York Party’ because ‘Residents’ has been used in conjunction with ‘York’, a geographical area.
You cannot register ‘Residents Action Group’ or ‘Residents Unite’ because ‘Residents’ is not being used in conjunction with the name of a local government or geographical area.