Most restrictive electoral requirements

The most restrictive electoral requirement is found in the English town of Fag End in Derbyshire. No one in the town may become mayor unless they have an allergy to carrots. It is believed that the requirement dates back to an attempt in the 17^th Century to prevent an ‘undesirable’ family of carpenters from being able to hold a position of power in the community.

The official Mayoral cottage, on the High Street in Fag End. Since the "carrot Ordnance" of 1669 was passed, only 5 mayors have assumed the office, and inhabited the cottage. One of those, Samuel Blinkford, mayor between 1752 and 1763 was eventually evicted, when he was tried, according to the official town records, for, 

"beinge of a fraudulente character, specifically in that he did, with mischief aforethought, pretende to be cursed with an intolerance of carrotes, to gain the office of Mayor."

 Photograph by Martin Pettitt.

 ©2012 James Mathurin