Channel in the dark as purdah sets in

Pre-election shutdown begins today

The pre-election shutdown period known as purdah has set in today, signalling the beginning of an uncertain period for some in the channel.

Parliament was dissolved at midnight, marking the six-week run-up to the general election, which will be held on 7 May.

During purdah, the public sector enters a so-called dark period during which all but essential decisions and announcements are delayed until the formation of a new parliament. The next parliament will be summoned for the first time on 18 May.

The Cabinet Office issued guidance to suppliers this morning warning that it will be going quiet over the coming weeks.

"You won't be hearing much from us in the five weeks up to the election, unless it's to provide information essential to continuing the government's day-to-day work," it said on its blog. "That applies to @GOVUK on Twitter, this blog, any other Government Digital Service blogs, and social media channels.

"That doesn't mean we're not doing anything. Our work will continue through the pre-election period. We just won't be talking about it much in the run-up to the election."

Nerves began setting in over purdah last autumn, and now it has arrived, uncertainty remains.

Softcat's public sector director Jamie Burke said there is no way of telling how April will go.

"We just don't know yet," he said. "We have been chatting to customers about what it means for them. We know regardless of the election, April is a quieter time in the public sector in terms of spend as new budgets are being apportioned. But March has been manic so far. When I speak to my colleagues in the industry, we are all a bit in the dark about [whether it is] going to be tools down and nothing, or will it be business as usual."

Computerworld Wales' managing director Shaune Parsons agreed that public sector business has been unusual recently but brushed off the potential threat of purdah.

"It hasn't been a normal March as far as year end is concerned, especially where local government is concerned – they haven't spent much at all," he said. "I've been talking to manufacturers and distributors and they are all saying they've never seen a March like it. I can't tie that in with the election, I just don't think they've got any money. Health and blue lights are spending money though.

"I think we will be all right in April – we've got a lot going on."