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Purdah
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Purdah

Pre-election period restricting government announcements and communications.

Last refreshed: 10 April 2026

Key Question

When did Scottish Government purdah begin ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election?

Common Questions
What does purdah mean in UK politics?
Purdah is the pre-election period during which UK central and local government are expected to avoid announcements that could influence an election outcome. It is a constitutional convention enforced through civil service guidance, not a legal rule.Source: Cabinet Office pre-election guidance
When did purdah start for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election?
Scottish Government Purdah began on 26 March 2026, with formal parliamentary dissolution on 9 April 2026.Source: Scottish Parliament dissolution timeline
Is purdah legally binding on the UK government?
No. Purdah is a constitutional convention enforced through Cabinet Office guidance and civil service advice, not through statute. There is no legal penalty for breaching it, but political consequences can be significant.Source: Cabinet Office pre-election guidance

Background

Purdah is the informal name for the pre-election period in the UK during which central and local government are expected to refrain from making announcements, publishing policy documents, or taking decisions that could influence the outcome of an election. The term derives from the Persian/Urdu word for a curtain or screen. It is a constitutional convention, not a legal obligation, enforced primarily through civil service guidance.

For the 2026 Holyrood election, Scottish Government Purdah began on 26 March 2026, ahead of the formal parliamentary dissolution on 9 April 2026. This means Scottish ministers were expected to pause announcements of new spending, grant awards, or policy decisions for the full six-week campaign period. The UK Government has its own parallel Purdah obligations regarding Scottish matters during the same period. The conventions are coordinated but separately applied.

Purdah is often misunderstood as a total communications blackout. In practice, routine government business continues; only politically salient or campaign-advantageous announcements are restricted. Disputes about whether a particular announcement breaches Purdah are common during election periods, and are resolved informally through Cabinet Office guidance rather than legal enforcement.