Representation of the People Bill
01 Sep 2026 · Commons Chamber · 1,508 speeches · Official record
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Our democracy is precious but faces significant challenges, and if we want to protect our system, it must change with the times. The turnout for the 2024 general election was far too low, at below 50% in the poorest areas. Property ownership was still dictating representation, with renters voting at a rate of 38%, and owner-occupiers at a rate of 71%. The delta between younger and older voters is still too high. Expanding participation and trust in politics is an issue of equality, but also one ... Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on amendment 129. Full speech
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“(3) In this Schedule, “anonymous entry” (in an electoral register) has the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see section 9B(4) of that Act).” Full speech
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(b) paragraph 7 (as amended by section (Donations etc in cryptoassets)) (donations from unidentifiable donors). Full speech
I thank those hon. Members whose excellent amendments I have put my name to. There are dozens of them, so I could not list them all, but they included amendments on electoral reform, capping political donations, crypto, and preventing domestic abusers from standing for election. Today, I speak in support of my new clauses 32 and 33, which would require candidates in parliamentary and local government elections in England and Wales to obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Publi... Full speech
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(b) that the information had already lawfully been made available to the public. Full speech
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This amendment makes a technical change to a definition referring to paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 to reflect the terms used in that paragraph. Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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(j) a body of constables appointed under- Full speech
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(2) The Secretary of State may by regulations- Full speech
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(b) each transaction which is a relevant overseas transaction in relation to the individual when the main donation is received by the party. Full speech
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(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(c)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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(a) the party accepts a donation (within the meaning of Part 4) from P as a donor, Full speech
Yes, I am. I am not getting into all the arguments about whether people who live abroad should have a vote- Full speech
I will give way one final time on this point. Full speech
I add my congratulations to my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) on becoming a Minister. It is great to see her on the Front Bench. I really welcome this Bill. We can go back in history and look at the amazing enfranchisement that happened with the Representation of the People Acts 1918 and 1928, when suffrage was extended to women and those with no property. When I have visitors in Parliament, I love showing them the stained-glass windows where, here i... Full speech
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(b) in the case of a connected transaction, to the registered party which owes the sum for which security is given under the connected transaction. Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on amendment 138. Full speech
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25 (1) For the purposes of section 71HC of PPERA 2000 (relevant previous contributions), a relevant overseas transaction to which an individual is a party is a relevant previous contribution of the individual in relation to a regulated transaction and an overseas contributor event if (and only if)- Full speech
A political system, even one with regular elections, is not really a democracy if rich individuals and corporations are able to use their wealth to buy access and influence, and shape decisions in a way that ordinary citizens will never enjoy. That is what new clause 25, tabled in my name, seeks to address. The British people will never be able to trust the fact that we are genuinely representing their interests if those with deep pockets can wield disproportionate political power. Unless we use... Full speech
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(b) in sub-paragraphs (3B) and (3C) omit “(within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act 1983)” in both places; Full speech
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(b) that the contravention arose from circumstances beyond the person’s control.”- (Katie Lam.) Full speech
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This amendment would make provision about how a “relevant benefit” that is a regulated transaction is to be valued in determining whether a company or LLP is a permissible donor. Full speech
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(d) a person listed in subsection (6) (revenue authorities); Full speech
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(2) For the purposes of this paragraph, a disclosure notice is a notice requiring the person to whom it is given- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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71HD Notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector Full speech
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(c) obtain the consent of the Welsh Ministers in relation to any aspects of the regulations which relate to Welsh devolved matters. Full speech
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(i) the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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(f) subsection (7) referred to P’s knowledge and belief, rather than the individual’s. Full speech
As we have heard many times in today’s debate, there is a vast difference between trade unions-which are made up of millions of members making small contributions that are collectively donated to the Labour party, which they support-and corporations and rich individuals seeking influence and to further their own vested interests. To continue where I left off, what confidence can the British people have that the houses that will be built in their area will meet the actual needs of local families ... Full speech
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(10) Schedule ( Regulated transactions involving cryptoassets ) makes amendments, and transitional provision, relating to regulated transactions with registered parties involving cryptoassets.”- ( Florence Eshalomi .) Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3); Full speech
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Meaning of “relevant overseas transaction” Full speech
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(b) the treasurer or other officer had no reasonable grounds for thinking that the statement included in the declaration in accordance with section 71HE(7) (value of transaction and relevant previous contributions) was untruthful or inaccurate.” Full speech
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This new clause would consolidate various provisions in Part 4 of the Bill that amend section 156 of PPERA 2000 in order to apply the affirmative procedure to certain regulation-making powers inserted by that Part into a single set of provisions. Full speech
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(c) in subsection (3), for “subsection (2)(a) shall be read as referring” substitute “, the reference in subsection (2)(a) to an individual who is registered in an electoral register is to be read as if it were a reference”. Full speech
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(3) The relevant portion of the calendar year is the period- Full speech
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(b) list each donation which would be a donation described in paragraph (a) but for paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 5A (donations which have been returned); Full speech
I thank the hon. Member. It is a shame that we will not get to spar on this now that he has left the shadow Front Bench. This is a really big issue, and the Electoral Commission needs to be given the space to develop the right regulatory framework. As I mentioned earlier, any new additions or changes will require primary legislation, which we will bring back. I am mindful of time, so I will make more progress. I turn now to the Government amendments that will impose an annualised limit on the am... Full speech
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(c) the Independent Office for Police Conduct; Full speech
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4 (1) Section 69 of PPERA 2000 (register of recordable donations) applies in relation to donations reported to the Electoral Commission under paragraph 3 of this Schedule as it applies to donations reported to them under Chapter 3 of Part 4 of that Act. Full speech
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3 In section 71L (offences relating to regulated transactions)- Full speech
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(8) But in relation to a requirement to prepare a quarterly report under section 62 of PPERA 2000, the amendments have effect only in relation to a quarterly report required to be prepared for a period ending on or after the commencement of this section. Full speech
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(c) in the case of a connected transaction within subsection (1D)(c), when the connected transaction is entered into. Full speech
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(b) the references in sub-paragraph (4)(a), (b)(i) and (c)(i) to the individual being a particular type of overseas contributor at the time when the donation is received were references to the individual being that type of overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death, and Full speech
Could the hon. Lady confirm to the House whether the Conservative party has ever published election leaflets in particular constituencies or wards in languages other than English? I have a vague memory of seeing Conservative party election literature in community languages during elections in various parts of the country, and my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Gareth Snell) has memories of that as well. Full speech
I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time. Full speech
I wonder whether the shadow Secretary of State sees a certain irony in attempting to legislate for linguistic purity in a language that, for over a millennium, has borrowed vocabulary ad hoc from other languages, such as Italian, Latin and French, and in a Bill that talks about elections, referendums, vetoes and manifestos. There is perhaps more than a little hint of irony in what she is proposing. Full speech
Order. I ask the hon. Member please to take my comments as they were made, and stick to the scope of the Bill. Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
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“the registrar of companies” has the same meaning as in the Companies Act 2006 (see section 1060 of that Act); Full speech
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(2) In determining (in accordance with the valuation provision) the value of a relevant overseas transaction which is a loan, the total amount to be lent under the loan agreement is to be treated as reduced by the amount of any repayments that have been made of the principal of the loan.” Full speech
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(2) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to sub-paragraph (3). Full speech
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“(8) Schedule ( Loans etc to registered parties by companies and LLPs ) makes amendments relating to transactions involving a company or limited liability partnership and a registered party.”- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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“relevant previous contribution” has the meaning given in section 71HC of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(b) in sub-paragraph (2), omit “(within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act 1983)”. Full speech
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2ZA (1) This paragraph applies in relation to each recordable transaction (other than one to which paragraph 2A applies) which has an authorised participant which is a company falling within section 54(2)(b) or a limited liability partnership falling within section 54(2)(f). Full speech
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“1 Chapter 1 of Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (regulation of loans to and related transactions with registered parties) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(a) in the case of a donation, when it is accepted; Full speech
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(12) Before laying before Parliament a draft of a statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (1), (2) or (9), the Secretary of State must- Full speech
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(1DA) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1B) and (1C), the relevant controlled benefit accrues- Full speech
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(a) sections 71HB and 71HC of PPERA 2000 (cap on regulated transactions), Full speech
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(2) But a donation which has been, or in respect of which an equivalent amount has been, returned, or sent to the Commission, in accordance with the relevant refusal provision is not a relevant overseas donation. Full speech
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4 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies in relation to a connected transaction- Full speech
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9 In section 71L (offences relating to regulated transactions), after subsection (9A) insert- Full speech
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(5) In paragraph 4 (court order for delivery of documents)- Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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(4) A person who discloses personal information in contravention of subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence. Full speech
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(a) the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599); Full speech
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(6) In relation to a transaction described in sub-paragraph (2)(b), the provisions and amendments listed in sub-paragraph (1) have effect only in connection with an overseas contributor event which takes place on or after the date on which the value of the transaction first increases to more than £500. Full speech
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(d) the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body; Full speech
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(b) state that there was no such transaction. Full speech
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(b) obtain the consent of the Scottish Ministers in relation to any aspects of the regulations which relate to Scottish devolved matters, and Full speech
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““relevant financial year” , in relation to a donation and a person, means a financial year of the person that falls wholly within the relevant period and in which the person makes a profit;”. Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the event takes place, not resident in the United Kingdom, and Full speech
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(a) whether the individual was an overseas contributor at any time during the reporting period; Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3); Full speech
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(2) The High Court or (in Scotland) the Court of Session may make a document-disclosure order under this paragraph against a person (“the respondent”) if satisfied on an application by the Commission that there are documents referred to in the disclosure notice which- Full speech
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(b) the amendments made by subsection (2)(b) and (c) of section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) of this Act, other than sub-paragraph (i) of section 54(2)(a) of PPERA 2000. Full speech
During this Bill’s Second Reading back in March, I said that the SNP generally welcomed its introduction, particularly its extension of the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds. We on the SNP Benches still do. Evidence is always helpful; unfortunately, the right hon. Member for Tatton (Esther McVey) is no longer in her place, but Scotland has had this in place for 12 years, and it has been an unqualified success. No serious person is planning to backtrack on it. That said, we do still have serious c... Full speech
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(4) A person who fails to comply with an information-disclosure order made under this paragraph may not, in respect of that failure, be both punished for contempt of court and convicted of an offence under paragraph 13(1).”” Full speech
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(a) where it is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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Donee-specific cap for certain pre-commencement overseas contributor events Full speech
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(b) for “that subsection” substitute “those subsections”. Full speech
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(a) in subsection (1), the words before paragraph (a) referred to a donation received by a registered party which is a bequest from an individual who was an overseas contributor at the time of their death; Full speech
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This amendment makes a technical change to a definition referring to section 105 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to reflect the terms used in that section. Full speech
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30 (1) Section 71V of PPERA 2000 (register of recordable transactions) applies in relation to transactions and changes reported to the Electoral Commission under paragraph 29 of this Schedule as it applies in relation to transactions reported to them under Part 4A of that Act. Full speech
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(3) A relevant overseas donation which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main transaction is to be counted only if the main participant was the donee of the relevant overseas donation. Full speech
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(5) For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), where an individual- Full speech
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(b) in the case of a donation falling within section 50(2)(b) (sponsorship), the property transferred (as mentioned in section 51(1)(a)) is cryptoassets; Full speech
I would like to speak to new clause 19, in my name, which concerns overseas voters. It would require the Secretary of State to conduct feasibility studies on improving voting arrangements. It has more than 50 signatures from Members from across the House, including many of my Liberal Democrat colleagues, but also Conservatives, Greens and Independents, demonstrating a clear call for change. It also briefly had a Labour Member supporting it, before the Government Whips presumably intervened. We a... Full speech
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This amendment would provide for NC117 to come into force on Royal Assent. Full speech
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4 (1) Schedule 2A to RPA 1983 (control of donations to candidates at elections) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(5) In section 56 (acceptance or returns of donations: general)- Full speech
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“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of RPA 1983; Full speech
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148E Information disclosed by the Welsh Revenue Authority Full speech
It was an absolute privilege to serve on the Bill Committee for this legislation and, before that, on the Speaker’s Conference, many of whose recommendations have appeared in the Bill. I am particularly pleased to see the Government adopt the long-held Liberal Democrat policy of extending the right to vote for 16 and 17-year-olds. Giving young people a say in the decisions that shape their lives and their futures is long overdue, and I am glad that we will see it become reality. I agree with man... Full speech
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(b) on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. Full speech
The Representation of the People Bill is central to our plan for fixing politics. Every one of us in this House has a responsibility to show the value of participating in our elections, but the reality is that too many people have lost faith in politics, and we must address the reasons for that. At the heart of this must come measures to reassure the public that the elections they are voting in are fair and free from foreign interference. We must stand against the unprecedented tide of abuse fac... Full speech
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6 (1) Schedule 3A to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (control of donations to candidates at local elections in Northern Ireland) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(10) The Secretary of State may make regulations under subsection (8)(b) only on, and in accordance with, a recommendation of the Commission. Full speech
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5 (1) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, the value of each kind of relevant overseas transaction listed in paragraph 4(2) is to be determined in accordance with the valuation provision set out in the table below. Full speech
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(3) In relation to each transaction recorded in the report, the report must include the information required to be included in a quarterly report by the following provisions of Schedule 6A to PPERA 2000 (so far as relevant)- Full speech
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“(1) The Secretary of State must commission an independent review into how to increase the registration and participation by overseas electors in UK Parliamentary elections. Full speech
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(a) the Northern Ireland Assembly (Elections) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2599); Full speech
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(i) after “money spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(9B) For the purposes of subsection (9A)(a), a loan comes to an end if- Full speech
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(g) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 2A to RPA 1983 to a candidate at an election to the Scottish Parliament (see article 36(4) of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/425)); Full speech
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(b) to provide the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, with any information or explanation which relates to that income and expenditure and is reasonably required by the Commission for those purposes. Full speech
Thank you for your indulgence, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was absent from the House for some time to attend a Delegated Legislation Committee. It is a privilege to speak in the debate, because it is the ultimate manifestation of involvement in our democratic process. The policy paper that goes with the Bill says: “The right to participate in our democracy is a defining aspect of our national identity”. What that speaks to is equal citizenship: that every citizen, no matter from where, who is on the... Full speech
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““electoral register” means a register of parliamentary or local government electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Full speech
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(iv) the relevant overseas transaction was first entered into on or after 6 July 2026 or that transaction was first entered into before that date but first becomes a regulated transaction of a kind listed in paragraph 4(2)(a) or (c) of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000 on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500. Full speech
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(i) after “spent” insert “, or other property so transferred,”; Full speech
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“the pre-commencement period” means the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending immediately before the commencement day; Full speech
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(ii) the condition in paragraph (b)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, and Full speech
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This amendment would provide, in relation to a proxy postal voting arrangement that is applied for and granted in the period beginning 1 October and ending 30 January, that the maximum permitted period of the arrangement ends with the sixth, rather than the fourth, 31 January following the date of grant. Full speech
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(6) In this section, “overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3). Full speech
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(c) the number of voters participating from overseas in recent elections in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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(9) Schedule ( Donations in cryptoassets: transitional provision ) makes transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of this section. Full speech
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“(1C) For the purposes of subsection (1B)(c), the party is to be treated as having reasonable grounds for so thinking if- Full speech
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(7) The persons mentioned in subsection (1)(e) are- Full speech
Let me begin by putting on record my thanks to the Minister, who I very much welcome to her place. In particular, I thank her predecessor, the hon. Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon), who has shown with her comments today the grace and thoughtfulness with which she conducted herself throughout the whole process. We did not agree on everything in the Bill Committee-indeed, all members of the Bill Committee did not agree-but we conducted our discussions with good grace and occasi... Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour for raising that important example of where loopholes might exist in this technical area. We will continue to work with the Electoral Commission on that issue as we continue to develop the Bill. Full speech
The fact that English takes words from other languages does not mean that an English voter, or indeed any British voter, would be able to read election material in Latin. The point is that our voters must be able to understand the election literature that is being produced, and if it is not produced in a language of the British Isles, they cannot. Full speech
I start by welcoming the Minister to her new role. It will be truly brilliant to work with her, and this is a transformational Bill with which to start. It will allow British politics to take huge strides to restore the trust that has been lost in our political system and to protect our democracy from being sold off for profit. I have personally set up and hosted an inspiring youth Parliament, and hearing the voices of 16-year-olds and younger children is truly a humbling experience-their dedica... Full speech
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(5) In this paragraph, “connected transaction” has the same meaning as in paragraph 4 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000. Full speech
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“(1) Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish proposals for the establishment of a Royal Commission to consider- Full speech
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This new clause and NS6 would amend the meaning of donation for the purposes of existing provisions about control of donations to registered parties, candidates and other persons to include property transferred to pay certain expenses of those persons. Full speech
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(i) is an overseas contributor event in relation to which the provisions and amendments listed in paragraph 21(1) have effect, and Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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“(3A) Sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (3)(c) apply in the case of a registrable person who has an anonymous entry in an electoral register as if they provided instead for the quarterly report to state that the registered party has seen evidence of such description as is prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations that the registrable person has an anonymous entry in an electoral register.” Full speech
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(b) included nothing to indicate that the information in the notice given under section 790LC of that Act had been superseded. Full speech
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(5) The transaction is void and section 71I(3) to (5) apply with effect from the end of the period described in section 71HD(3). Full speech
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(1C) In the case of a donation in the form of a bequest, sub-paragraph (1A)(a) applies as if it referred to the time of the individual’s death, rather than the time when the donation was received.”; Full speech
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“electoral register” means a register of parliamentary or local government electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for amendment 128. Full speech
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(c) give the relevant address of each registrable person whose name is given under paragraph (b) or, where that address is not known to the party, include a statement to that effect. Full speech
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(2C) In sub-paragraph (4), after “is given” insert “under this paragraph”. Full speech
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(c) in subsection (3A), before ‘it shall’ insert ‘and the donation concerned is not a donation in cryptoassets,’. Full speech
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(5) In this paragraph, “connected transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (see section 71F(9) of that Act). Full speech
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(c) at the time of inspection the information referred to in subsection (1B)(a) included nothing to indicate that the information in the notice given under section 790LC of that Act had been superseded.” Full speech
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(10) In paragraph 7 (power to make copies and records), in sub-paragraph (a)(ii), after “paragraph” insert “1B or”. Full speech
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(d) in relation to each of those donations, state (as appropriate)- Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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(a) a member of a body mentioned in subsection (5) (police forces etc); Full speech
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2 (1) This paragraph makes provision about the application of the following provisions and amendments- Full speech
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Donations to permitted participants at referendums Full speech
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(14) In paragraph 6 (donations from impermissible donors), before “applies” insert “or (ab)”. Full speech
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“In section 1D of RPA 1985 (duration of entitlement to be registered as overseas elector), in subsection (4), after paragraph (b) insert- Full speech
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3 (1) If a registered party has any retained pre-commencement cryptoasset donations, the treasurer of the party must prepare a report under this paragraph. Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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(c) the donee enters into a transaction of a description mentioned in paragraph 2(3)(a) of Schedule 7A with another person and that other person enters into a controlled transaction of a description mentioned in paragraph 2(3)(b) of that Schedule (a “connected transaction”) with P as an authorised participant. Full speech
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“pre-commencement cryptoasset donation” means a donation in cryptoassets received by a registered party during the pre-commencement period; Full speech
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“overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985; Full speech
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(2) The Commission must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (which may be general or specific). Full speech
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“relevant overseas donation” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000; Full speech
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“(2A) A transaction report must also record any change by which an individual becomes a party to a recorded transaction (whether in place of or in addition to any existing participant) at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor.”; Full speech
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(i) in the words before paragraph (a), after “document-disclosure order” insert “under this paragraph”; Full speech
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This amendment and Amendment 130 would ensure that a former accredited recall campaigner is covered by the list of organisations and individuals in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 19B to PPERA 2000 so that a disclosure notice can be given by the Electoral Commission to such a campaigner. Full speech
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Clause 7 prohibits the disclosure by electoral registration officers of registration information relating to under 16s. That is subject to exceptions (see clause 8). This amendment and amendment 139 would remove changes conferring power on Scottish and Welsh Ministers to modify the exception for information held on combined parliamentary and local government registers (see clauses 9 and 10). Full speech
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(a) the relevant overseas transaction was first entered into on or after 25 March 2026, or Full speech
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Donations to accredited campaigners in relation to recall petitions Full speech
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(b) subsection (2) required the steps mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection (whichever is relevant) to be taken within the period of 30 days beginning with the commencement day (rather than within the period of 30 days beginning with the date when the donation is received by the party); Full speech
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1B (1) This paragraph applies where the Commission have given a disclosure notice under paragraph 1 or 1A requiring documents to be produced. Full speech
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This amendment would correct an incorrect reference to “a party” in provisions which concern regulated participants. Full speech
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(c) a regulated transaction within the meaning of Part 6 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2). Full speech
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(4) In paragraph 34 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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This amendment would provide for NC114 to come into force on Royal Assent. Full speech
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(b) the date stated in the notice by virtue of section 790LC(2)(b) of that Act was on or before the date of the donation’s receipt by the party, and Full speech
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(b) removing or varying a reference to a person or a description of person where the reference was added by virtue of paragraph (a). Full speech
I would like to speak to amendment 15 and new clause 30, tabled in my name, and to new clauses tabled by other colleagues from across the House. First of all, I welcome the new Minister to her place and I welcome the Bill. I always like to start where there is common ground. It is certainly true that there are steps forward in the Bill: the implementation of the Rycroft recommendations to tackle foreign influence in our politics; movements towards automatic voter registration; and dealing with c... Full speech
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(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the donation is received; Full speech
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(i) the notice required under section 71HD (notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector); Full speech
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“Authorised participants and risk assessments”. Full speech
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(b) is not dealt with before the commencement day in accordance with section 56(2) of PPERA 2000 (return of donations). Full speech
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(c) sub-paragraph (3)(b)(ii) and (c)(iii) referred to a period ending with the individual’s death. Full speech
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(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the event takes place; Full speech
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(7) In paragraph 5 (court order for provision of information etc)- Full speech
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(i) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 6 to the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/864) to a candidate at an election to Senedd Cymru; Full speech
It is never anything but a pleasure to allow the hon. Gentleman to put Harlow into Hansard again, and I am happy to repeat his words. He is right: we must be incredibly vigilant. We must not be naive about the extent to which foreign powers are actively pursuing strategies to undermine our democracy, and ultimately, our nation. That must be treated with the utmost seriousness. While some of the suggested changes are being rushed through in a sweeping way, we feel that the Bill has shockingly lit... Full speech
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(2) In relation to each authorised participant which is a company, a quarterly report must also- Full speech
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Transactions which are relevant previous contributions Full speech
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(2) The High Court or (in Scotland) the Court of Session may make an information-disclosure order under this paragraph against a person (“the respondent”) if satisfied on an application by the Commission that there is any information or explanation referred to in the disclosure notice which- Full speech
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(ii) the condition in paragraph (b)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, and Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraph (2) omit “(within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act 1983)”; Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for giving way, which enables me to welcome my two work experience students, Maja and Stacey, to the Gallery. I am sure they are enjoying his speech. Full speech
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This new Schedule would amend Part 4A of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to prevent the security for loans etc to registered parties taking the form of cryptoassets and would make transitional provision. Full speech
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(c) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 11 to this Act to a recognised third party; Full speech
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(7) References in this paragraph to an authorised participant in a regulated transaction do not include the registered party deriving the benefit of the transaction. Full speech
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(i) after “money spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(c) paragraphs 5 to 8 (details of transaction). Full speech
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(g) the Northern Ireland Assembly Commissioner for Standards; Full speech
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(b) the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1024); Full speech
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(6) Where a registered party is a party with accounting units, this paragraph applies separately in relation to the central organisation of the party and each of its accounting units, as if any reference to the party were a reference to that organisation or, as appropriate, to such a unit. Full speech
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(iii) is subject to a legal incapacity to vote at parliamentary elections (age apart), or Full speech
Is the right hon. Lady suggesting that all 3.5 million overseas electors should not be able to donate to political parties? Full speech
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Exceptions for combined information under devolved legislation Full speech
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Identification of candidates at parliamentary elections Full speech
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Risk assessments for donations to registered parties etc Full speech
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Disclosure of information by Electoral Commission Full speech
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Donations in cryptoassets: transitional provision Full speech
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Regulated transactions involving cryptoassets Full speech
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Loans etc to registered parties by companies and LLPs Full speech
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Cap on donations to registered parties by overseas contributors: application and transitional provision Full speech
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Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors Full speech
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Risk assessments for donations to registered parties etc Full speech
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Unincorporated associations making political contributions Full speech
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Extension of Electoral Commission’s enforcement functions Full speech
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Amendments made: 138, page 15, line 7, leave out subsection (4). Full speech
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Amendment 139, page 17, line 33, leave out subsection (9).- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 140, page 42, line 6, leave out “three” and insert “five”. Full speech
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Amendment 141, page 42, line 7, leave out “three” and insert “five”.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendment made: 63, page 52, line 19, leave out “and (2)”.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 64, page 68, line 14, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 65, page 68, line 17, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 66, page 68, line 22, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 67, page 68, line 25, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 68, page 68, leave out lines 29 to 36 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 142, page 71, line 32, leave out paragraph (b). Full speech
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Amendment 69, page 72, line 22, leave out paragraph (b).- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 70, page 73, line 28, leave out “revenue” and insert “profits”. Full speech
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Amendment 71, page 75, line 6, after “section” insert “- Full speech
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Amendment 72, page 75, line 9, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 73, page 76, line 37, after “section” insert “- Full speech
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Amendment 74, page 76, line 41, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 75, page 77, line 40, leave out “revenue” and insert “profits”. Full speech
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Amendment 76, page 77, line 42, leave out “revenue” and insert “profits”. Full speech
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Amendment 77, page 78, line 2, leave out “revenue” and insert “profits”. Full speech
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Amendment 78, page 78, line 5, leave out from “person’s” to “to” in line 6 and insert Full speech
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Amendment 79, page 78, line 12, leave out “revenue” and insert “profits”. Full speech
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Amendment 80, page 78, line 15, leave out from “person’s” to “to” in line 16 and insert Full speech
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Amendment 81, page 78, line 18, leave out from second “the” to “to” in line 20 and insert Full speech
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Amendment 82, page 78, leave out lines 28 to 35 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 83, page 78, leave out lines 36 to 41 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 84, page 79, line 2, leave out “revenue” and insert “income or expenditure”. Full speech
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Amendment 28, page 79, line 3, leave out “revenue” and insert “profit”. Full speech
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Amendment 86, page 79, leave out lines 5 to 11 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 87, page 79, line 18, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 90, page 79, line 21, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 91, page 79, line 27, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 92, page 79, line 27, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 93, page 79, line 29, leave out “three” and insert “five”. Full speech
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Amendment 94, page 79, leave out lines 32 to 36. Full speech
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Amendment 95, page 81, line 9, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 96, page 82, line 15, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 97, page 82, line 38, leave out subsection (7). Full speech
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Amendment 98, page 82, line 45, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment made: 99, page 88, line 9, leave out clause 71.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 143, page 101, line 17, leave out “(9)” and insert “(8)”. Full speech
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Amendment 144, page 101, line 26, leave out “(4)” and insert “(3)”. Full speech
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Amendment 145, page 101, line 31, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendments made: 100, page 102, line 31, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 146, page 102, line 31, at end insert- Full speech
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Donations to candidates at police and crime commissioner elections Full speech
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Amendments made: 147, page 114, line 14, leave out “fourth” and insert “sixth”. Full speech
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Amendment 148, page 114, line 17, leave out “third” and insert “fifth”. Full speech
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Amendment 149, page 119, line 40, leave out “fourth” and insert “sixth”. Full speech
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Amendment 150, page 120, line 3, leave out “third” and insert “fifth”.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 101, page 150, line 8, after “donee” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 102, page 150, line 11, after “donee” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 103, page 150, line 18, after “donee” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 104, page 150, line 22, after “donee” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 105, page 150, leave out lines 26 to 34 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 106, page 152, line 7, leave out paragraph 9. Full speech
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Amendment 107, page 152, line 20, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 108, page 152, line 23, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 109, page 152, line 29, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 110, page 152, line 33, after “party” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 111, page 152, line 37, leave out from beginning to end of line 2 on page 153 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 112, page 154, line 17, leave out paragraph (c). Full speech
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Amendment 113, page 154, line 39, leave out paragraph 16. Full speech
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Amendment 114, page 155, line 30, leave out “Level 5” and insert “statutory maximum”. Full speech
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Amendment 115, page 156, line 1, leave out paragraph 20. Full speech
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Amendment 116, page 156, line 17, after “participant” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 117, page 156, line 21, after “participant” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 118, page 156, line 28, after “participant” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 119, page 156, line 32, after “participant” insert “from the person”. Full speech
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Amendment 120, page 156, line 33, leave out “party” and insert “regulated participant”. Full speech
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Amendment 121, page 156, leave out lines 36 to 44 and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 122, page 157, line 32, leave out paragraph (c).- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Amendments made: 123, page 173, line 24, leave out Full speech
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Amendment 124, page 173, line 27, leave out “has the meaning given” and insert Full speech
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Amendments made: 125, page 186, line 10, leave out paragraph (b) and insert- Full speech
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Amendment 126, page 188, line 15, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 127, page 188, line 16, leave out “paragraph 1(1)” and insert “sub-paragraph (1)”. Full speech
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Amendment 129, page 188, line 40, at end insert- Full speech
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Amendment 130, page 188, leave out line 40. Full speech
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Amendment 131, page 189, line 7, leave out sub-paragraphs (4) and (5) and insert- Full speech
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“profit for each relevant financial year”. Full speech
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“profit for each relevant financial year”. Full speech
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“profit of each subsidiary undertaking of the person for each relevant financial year of the subsidiary undertaking”. Full speech
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Donations to individuals and members associations Full speech
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“Regulation of loans and related transactions involving members of registered parties and elected office-holders”. Full speech
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“after “participant” insert “in a Part 7 referendum”” Full speech
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“for ““permitted participant” has the meaning given” substitute ““permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum” means a permitted participant as defined”. Full speech
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“means a permitted participant as defined”.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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Consideration of Bill, as amended in the Committee Full speech
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This would amend the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to prevent donations to registered political parties being made in cryptoassets. Full speech
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I turn to our amendments to strengthen the new company donations framework in clause 60. After carefully considering calls from stakeholders and experts in this field, most recently echoed by the Rycroft review, the Government have agreed to introduce a profit-based test for corporate donations. I commend the work of my hon. Friend the Member for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang) and others in this House for their efforts on the subject. Full speech
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Profit, by contrast with revenue, provides a clearer indication of a company’s financial position, because it reflects what remains after expenditure has been met, including tax liabilities. Our intention is not simply to identify companies that have generated income, but to ensure that political donations are supported by genuine economic activity and financial substance. A profit-based test is a stronger indication of that than turnover alone. The amendments establish a clear statutory framewo... Full speech
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The Government have also sought to ensure that the regime operates in a way that is both practical and familiar to companies, limited liability partnerships and recipients. The amendments provide that profit is determined by reference to existing standard accounting principles, using financial information that companies already use as part of their ordinary reporting requirements. Where no qualifying profit and loss exists, the relevant financial year will be treated as one in which no profit wa... Full speech
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Further, on company donations, an additional set of amendments builds on measures in the Bill to strengthen safeguards around political donations and loans from companies and LLPs. These amendments extend and clarify the operation of the new company and LLP permissibility tests in relation to regulated transactions, including loans and other arrangements. They close potential gaps and ensure that the regulatory regime remains effective throughout the lifetime of a transaction, rather than only a... Full speech
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We have also tabled a set of amendments to clarify how the aggregation provisions work where connected transactions are involved. The Bill already prevents a company or LLP from exceeding the amount that its financial position justifies by splitting support across multiple donations. The amendments ensure that the same principles apply where the support is provided through a combination of donations, loans or connected transactions. Full speech
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As initially introduced, the Bill proposes a significant control test to help to ensure that companies and LLPs donating to political parties are majority-owned or controlled by UK electors or citizens. Further amendments have been tabled to make targeted improvements to the operation of that test. In particular, they address cases involving trusts and firms to ensure that the test functions as intended and that political parties can take account of the information held by Companies House relati... Full speech
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Without this power, those seeking to circumvent the new rules could simply redirect activity through areas where comparable safeguards do not apply. That would risk creating a loophole in the electoral regime, undermining the effectiveness and protections that the Bill is intended to provide. The amendments have a time-limited mechanism, ensuring that they are introduced, and where possible consistently, across categories of political activity and to recipients of political funding. Full speech
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Our democracy is incredibly precious. Each and every Member of this House owes their position to the British people, and they would do well to remember that. That we live in a country where fundamental decisions about our nation’s future are made by representatives of the people, chosen through free and fair elections, ought to be an immense source of pride. It is incumbent on us all-a sacred duty-to ensure that the will of the people is not subverted, undermined or diluted. We should therefore ... Full speech
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Unfortunately, that careful consideration is absent from the changes before us today. This is particularly true of some of the proposals on political donations and campaign finance. Protecting our democracy from foreign influence is a noble aim that Conservatives share, but the changes proposed by the Government have not always been produced with proper care and attention. They have been brought forward with too little consultation and opportunity for scrutiny. It is particularly concerning that... Full speech
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Changes of such fundamental importance must never be made on a knee-jerk or reactive basis. The British people deserve better. That brings me to the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel) that proposes to establish a commission on electoral reform. To attach such a monumental change to an already overloaded Bill at this late stage would be completely absurd, and to take steps towards changing our electoral system, despite never seeking the support of th... Full speech
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Under our system, at constituency level, people have the opportunity to choose an individual to represent them. They can hold that person accountable, and can ultimately remove them, if they wish, at the next election. Under proportional representation, the decision on who gets to serve in Parliament would be made not by the people, but by the central offices of political parties. Full speech
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However, this Labour Government are either blind or, unfortunately, weak on the issue of electoral sectarianism, which represents the single biggest threat to our democracy today. They have repeatedly chosen to soften our approach to coercive family voting and to allow candidates to continue campaigning in foreign languages with the explicit intention of appealing to particular ethnic, religious or cultural minority groups. Unfortunately, I expect that they will do so again today. Fortunately, b... Full speech
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First, I thank the Government for their work to bring the Bill to the state it is in now. The improvements to the Bill through new clauses and amendments strengthen it. I feel very positive that we are now moving in the right direction on legislation that should be a once-in-a-generation change to fix inequality and unfair influence on our electoral system. Full speech
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But I want to put on record my concerns that there are very experienced Members of the House, including on the Labour Benches, who are still raising concerns over donations and foreign influence. I hope the Minister can confirm that, as the Bill passes through the Lords, the Government will work with those who have brought forward amendments to further strengthen the protections we have in our democracy. As a delegate to the Council of Europe on behalf of the UK, I have seen how Russia’s influen... Full speech
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The Bill is about fairness. I am frustrated that even though Report was delayed until after the summer, we have not been able to move forward on new clause 31 and that it has been ruled out of scope. I think it has been misrepresented. I put it on record that the purpose of the new clause is not, as the shadow Secretary of State perhaps suggested, forcing proportional representation or change, but bringing forward a commission to look at electoral reform. We have so many different forms of elect... Full speech
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I planned to speak in depth on new clause 31, but I will not for fear of upsetting you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and your favour in letting me speak early. I shall pop downstairs now to speak at the Portakabin reception, if anyone would like to join me, but I wanted to put on record those concerns. I feel that we can still go further on donations and foreign interference, particularly as we see Russia’s threat. I ask the Government to look again at whether we can bring forward a national commission... Full speech
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Too many of us are already feeling this, but what if we do not act? Too many of us are already asking whether, if we had known what we now know when we were considering going into politics all those years ago, before the acceleration of the online hate and disinformation that is infecting and destroying our politics, our public sphere and our public life, would we have gone into politics? Sadly, that is now the case for far too many people in local and regional and national politics, particularl... Full speech
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With deepfake and disinformation in the online space, if we do not regulate and legislate to protect our democracy and protect those who decide or dare to stand-increasingly, it is a matter of daring to stand-we will regret it. This is our opportunity. This is the time to act, not to leave it till later. I hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will work to make sure that these amendments are included in the Bill at this stage. I am reminded of the words of the late, great Terry Pratchett, who wr... Full speech
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That was true a long time before the online world became so prevalent in the negative sense in political discourse, and it has become even more so now. Full speech
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This crypto-fuelled, AI-driven fakery has real-world consequences, as I have pointed out. The Rycroft report calls out foreign interference through bribes and bungs to UK politicians and parties, and in attempts to sow division and distrust. We have seen the conviction of a British politician for accepting Russian bribes. Do we seriously think that Nathan Gill was the only British politician that the Russian security services and their proxies managed to turn? In future, they will continue to do... Full speech
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As we have seen, the home of a British Prime Minister, the former right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras, was firebombed by Russian assets, and there was a Russian-backed tsunami of misinformation, smearing him, surrounding the case. I would guess that most, if not all, Members here today will have experienced intimidation as a result of online hate-be that in their homes, on the streets or in their communities. However, the big concern is that online hate is no longer just abo... Full speech
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It is also crucial that we look at foreign influencers, as well as influencers in the UK, who are seeking to destroy our democracy. We do not have to spell out the names-we all know who those people are-but they are pouring in billions of pounds. They are worth billions, and they think they can dictate how we conduct our democracy and how our democracy functions, and they are succeeding. That is why we cannot do this incrementally. We have to be bold and radical to counter the threats coming our... Full speech
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I am proud that the Government introduced, under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, the provision that restricts protests outside the homes of public office holders. That is important, because we have seen the homes of too many candidates and election officials targeted by people who are not interested in protesting. It is not about freedom of speech; it is about sowing terror and fear in the families of candidates, officials and those who work in parties-the decent people who make our democracy f... Full speech
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I have heard too many testimonies about that; I have already seen too many colleagues experience threats and intimidation outside their homes. Video footage of people’s home addresses leaves their families exposed and at risk. I am very grateful to the Security Minister for working with me to ensure that that provision was supported by the Government and passed, because it will protect candidates and election officials working for our democracy across parties. It is crucial that we protect peopl... Full speech
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I am grateful to the hon. Member for Belfast South and Mid Down (Claire Hanna) and my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel) for putting their names to new clause 39. I support the new clause, which prohibits intimidation at polling stations, not least because I have experienced some of the things that it talks about. It is a serious issue, and at its worst it means that voters find it difficult to get into polling stations because of the intimidation outside them. Full speech
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At the last general election, the level of hostility towards me when I went outside some polling stations in my constituency to see how things were progressing was off the scale. That is not acceptable. Loud, noisy people-mainly men-were screaming and shouting at me as well as at the voters trying to get in to vote. That is not acceptable. We must make sure that the existing laws are enforced by the police, because they were not at that time. Vans were chasing us with banners full of disinformat... Full speech
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Although arrests happen, the onus is then on the candidate to seek prosecution, and that generates more abuse and hostility. The local members and activists who are being harassed are too scared to go for prosecution, because the harassers know where they live and threaten to target them. It is on the state to take action to protect democracy, rather than up to candidates and ordinary citizens who are simply campaigning for democracy and their party. We need to look at those issues and ensure th... Full speech
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I do not want people to think that such things happen across the board in my constituency or borough, and to racialise the issue, because election officials have also been harassed and intimidated in places such as York, which is very different from my constituency. My plea to colleagues across parties is this: let us not racialise this issue and demonise whole communities because of the bad actions of certain individuals who do not believe in democracy and want to threaten and intimidate the va... Full speech
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I thank the new Minister, her predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston, officials and all the others who have worked on the Bill. I am grateful for the work that colleagues have done across the board-particularly those who have put forward the amendments I have spoken about. I hope that this work will strengthen our democracy-I know it will. We have got to keep a close eye on this issue, because it is too important. Full speech
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“a lie can run around the world before the truth has got its boots on.” Full speech
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I recognise that people giving money to causes that they care about is a noble and honourable thing. We do not have state funding for politics in this country. We have many ways that we support our politics, and I recognise and value the contribution that people have made, however big, to that process. The problem is when the cause people are donating towards becomes themselves. We see that fear echoed across every community in this country. We know that the next election will be like none we ha... Full speech
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This is a relatively new trend. The share of private political donations coming from individuals and companies who are giving £1 million or more has surged from just 1% in 2015 to over a third of donations in under a decade. We also have an election spending arms race that we have never seen before. In the last election, we spent £90 million-the most in modern history, and nearly 80% more than was spent in 2015. That is why I support the call of my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (A... Full speech
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I back all the changes being made on overseas donations, and I commend the work that Philip Rycroft did. We can all see the influence of foreign money and activity in our communities. I have seen it in my community, where there was targeting of local mosques by Russian agents on Telegram, and we see it in our local social media; but we have to admit, when it comes to money and mega-donors, that we have a home-grown problem, too. If we do not deal with it now in this legislation, ahead of the nex... Full speech
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The data shows how quickly things are changing for some. In 2020, the Reform party had just four donors who made a reportable donation. In 2025, they had 77. A quarter of all Reform’s funding comes from people donating more than £100,000. That is how quick the process is happening. This year alone, the Reform party took £9.9 million-more than the Government and opposition parties put together. Some £8 million of that came from just three people, all of whom have a UK postcode. Nothing in the Bil... Full speech
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There are more of these people with UK passports waiting in the wings. Sir Paul Marshall owns The Spectator and GB News. He has a personal fortune of £875 million, and he has previously donated to political leadership campaigns. At present, he funds what most people might think of as a pact-the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, which has been organising conferences and research events to promote “western and conservative values”. Full speech
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It does not stop there. Reform will talk about Ben Delo, somebody else with UK citizenship. He has a personal fortune of a billion pounds. He has already given Reform £4 million this year alone, and has said explicitly that he is moving back from Hong Kong to ensure that he can donate in time for the next general election. It is not just Reform; Restore has taken half a million pounds in the last 24 hours alone, and it took £2.5 million to set up Restore. Full speech
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But frankly, who are we to judge? The honest truth is that in every political party people are chasing the millionaires. Labour Together donated more than £2.5 million to Labour ahead of the 2024 election, amalgamating millionaire donors. We took £4 million from Quadrature Capital-the largest single donation in our party’s history. The Conservatives are up to it, too. The IT billionaire Bassim Haidar gave more than £700,000 to the Conservatives and has since donated half a million pounds to Refo... Full speech
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Whether we like it or not, obscene wealth is increasingly dictating who is heard, what issues are being prioritised and whose interests shape policy decisions. That was the finding of the Rycroft review. The review was asked to look at foreign interference, but the arguments it made about sums of money do not have a postcode. The point is about the volume, not the location. The public will not forgive us if we do not recognise that and the impact it is having. Indeed, 84% of the public believe t... Full speech
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At this point, I want to talk directly to my colleagues on the Labour Benches. I have huge amounts of respect for all of them and the challenges we face on this. I go back to our manifesto, which did not specify foreign donations; it recognised that all donations were having a distorting effect and therefore needed to be reviewed. That is why we should welcome the fact that the Bill offers us a vehicle and formats for doing that. I know that there are colleagues who are implacably opposed-they w... Full speech
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There are those in other political parties who may not have looked at the litany of legislation and regulation that already guides trade unions. That is why new clause 120 would completely exempt trade unions from these measures. They are already well regulated when it comes to how they donate. That is why it is clean money. There is something fundamental here about why we should back these changes and a UK cap-it is for our trade unions, because the unions are the voice of the people against th... Full speech
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Since 1913, the political fund of trade unions has been well regulated. We know what the rules are-goodness knows, many of us have spent hours in deathly boring meetings going through them to make sure that they are being upheld-and we know that the role of trade unions in our political movement is evolving when it comes to funding, but I for one want to ensure that it is heard loudly and clearly. I recognise that our trade unions regularly-because of the law-poll their members on how to spend t... Full speech
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I say this to those who claim that addressing this issue will slow the Bill down: it is already in the Bill. The Lords already hear about what is happening, and are clear about it-they can see the damage and distortion to this House from money-so that debate is going to happen. I hope that our colleagues in the other place will hear these concerns. I think we will all regret it if our union brothers and sisters are blamed for opening the door, so that what is out there, clawing its way into Brit... Full speech
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In 2007, the Phillips review collapsed over this dilemma, despite major donors, including David Sainsbury, supporting a cap on donations. With hindsight, we can see that that opened the door to the crisis we face. We know why the unions give. It is to represent their members’ interests. The real question that I keep coming back to is: why do the millionaires give so much? Perhaps we should take a lesson from that well known source, President Trump. Before he became President, he said, Full speech
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We are all damned by association if we do not close the loophole. Hindsight is a wonderful thing; foresight is better. I do not often say this, but I agree with President Trump. A system that can create those kinds of relationships is broken, and it damages all who touch it. We need to act now to protect the next general election. Nothing less than action before then for a proper cap will do. That is what new clause 21 does; it gives a process. Let me reassure Members that in that process, trade... Full speech
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New clauses 80, 69, 70 and 120 are about capping donations. Trust in politics is not only about how we vote; it is about who politics works for. That is why I support a number of those amendments and, as has been eloquently expressed by some of my colleagues, when a small number of individuals can hand over hundreds of thousands of pounds, or even millions, to a single party, is it any wonder when people conclude that politics has a price tag? A sensible, proportionate cap set to the right level... Full speech
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If we are serious about restoring trust, we cannot dodge the question of money in politics. That is why I welcome Government new clause 72, and dealing with the flood of money beyond what is reasonable for election costs. I say that as someone who has never been on the receiving end of those amounts of money, but this is not just out of jealousy; it is about how such money gets to the candidate. I associate myself with the words of my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury... Full speech
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New clause 48 is tabled in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns), and I hope Ministers will support it. The right to a secret ballot has existed since 1872, yet today many blind and partially sighted voters still cannot cast their vote independently and in secret. I believe that is a basic democratic gap. Minimum accessibility standards for polling stations are long overdue, and I hope that Ministers will back that change. Full speech
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In conclusion, we know that none of these measures alone will fix the trust deficit in our politics, but hopefully the weight and might of the Bill as it stands, with many of the amendments about a fairer voting system-or lack of it-a cap on donations, and truly accessible elections say something important, namely that this House is serious about a democracy that works for everyone, not just those with the safest seats or deepest pockets. I commend many of the amendments and ask the Minister to ... Full speech
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In new clause 54, the hon. Member for Leeds East (Richard Burgon) proposes new rules around the declaration of gifts or benefits worth more than £5,000 in the year before someone can be nominated as a candidate. That is an eminently sensible proposal, and I cannot see why the Government would not take it on board. New clause 58, tabled by the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Apsana Begum), would see domestic abuse added to the list of schedule 9 offences. Again, I can see no reason why the ... Full speech
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I applaud the hon. Member for Leeds Central and Headingley (Alex Sobel) for his new clause 69, the right hon. Member for Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds) for new clause 70, the right hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) for new clauses 85 and 86, and the hon. Member for Walthamstow (Ms Creasy) for new clause 20. Every single one of those amendments, and many others on the amendment paper, would have made this Bill significantly better. It is hugely disappointing that the ... Full speech
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The SNP will of course support this Bill, but I cannot help but feel that this has been something of a missed opportunity to right a great wrong. I am sure I was not alone in hoping, when consideration on Report was pulled before the recess, that the new Prime Minister and his team would take the opportunity to look at those amendments, many of which originated from the Prime Minister’s own Back Benchers, adopt them and make this legislation far more radical, far more ambitious and much more dem... Full speech
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My new clause 69 would introduce a £1 million cap on individual donors in a single calendar year. This very timid amendment is a safeguard to prevent the ultra-wealthy from thinking that they can come and buy our elections wholesale. As per the excellent Rycroft review, which I was absolutely delighted to contribute to, we cannot have election-distorting behaviour by the ultra-rich. In 2025, there was £12 million-worth of donations from just one person to Reform UK. Ten years ago, 1% of politica... Full speech
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There is much to celebrate in this Bill, including the crackdown on dark money in our politics, but the risk of inaction is too great. We are approaching a dangerous tipping point in our politics. Decades ago, parties used to need close to 50% of the vote to win a majority. That has fallen steadily to a low of 34%, so it is becoming easier and easier to use money to buy into the system in order to influence results. Full speech
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I know that the Prime Minister is committed to safeguarding our electoral system, and I and all the MPs who signed my new clauses want to work with him to set the UK on a road to free, fair and modern elections. Let us represent the people freely and fairly, and let us make votes matter. We must ensure that power is transferred back to a reformed Parliament and then passed into every part of these islands, rewiring our whole system. Full speech
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“I give to many people. Before this, before two months ago, I was a businessman. I give to everybody. When they call, I give. And you know what? When I need something from them two years later, three years later, I call them. They are there for me. That’s a broken system.” Full speech
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Looking at the report on voter ID-I have to say that people involved in drafting the Elections Bill did not look at the evidence base for how many people had voter ID-the one study cited states that the figure of how many people have ID is not reliable, and even then it used a much wider range of ID used than is currently permissible. Widening the range of ID, as the Government propose, will make it far more likely that everyone will be able to vote in an election. Full speech
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Automatic voter registration pilots would re-enfranchise many of those who have been lost since voter ID was introduced, and provisions on the independence of the Electoral Commission and greater controls over campaign finance will give people confidence in the system again. I should just say on campaign finance, as people bring up the trade unions, that the trade unions do not finance the Labour party; the trade unions are part of the Labour party. Their members are a part of our movement, and ... Full speech
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When it comes to voting for 16 and 17-year-olds, so many of them ask such good questions when we go on school visits. We sometimes get dangerously close in this debate to arguing for a mental capacity test for voting. We do not test people in our system on their intellectual ability. The franchise is there because the needs and issues of people who do not have a say do not get represented, and that is why it is vital that we enfranchise 16 and 17-year-olds. Full speech
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This Bill gives back what was taken away by the Elections Act. In my last few seconds let me say briefly that council officers run so many elections, and they do a fantastic job, but too often they are not given the financial support they need to do the work- Full speech
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Developer donations to the same political parties that are writing the rules of national planning policy create the powerful perception that our housing crisis and all the damage being done to our country by speculative, profiteering development is the direct result of a system moulded by those who are getting rich from it. Frankly, that is a perception that it is difficult to dispute. What confidence can the British people have of a fighting chance to protect the landscapes they love and that a... Full speech
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We cannot have money from overseas coming into our politics, and we cannot have cryptocurrencies that are untraceable flooding Westminster. We know where that will lead. Associating with these super-rich donors, however many suits they buy or receptions they sponsor, in the end only causes harm to the political parties that they support. We should be clear about this: how many of our constituents could even dream of donating hundreds of thousands of pounds to a political party? Any cap needs to ... Full speech
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The Prime Minister has spoken about rewiring Britain. We all want to see better outcomes for our constituents, but to build a better country we need a better politics as well. Full speech
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We have all seen growing concern about offshore wealth, murky financial funding networks and, increasingly, cryptocurrency billionaires seeking political influence. Reform UK’s reliance on support from offshore crypto figures has brought those questions, quite rightly, firmly into the public eye. That is a problem for all of us, regardless of which political party or tradition we belong to. The public deserve confidence that political influence in this country cannot be bought, whether through s... Full speech
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Procedure for regulations under PPERA 2000 Full speech
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Sharing of information between Electoral Commission and others Full speech
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Termination of entitlement to be registered as overseas elector Full speech
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Powers to prescribe form and contents of campaign expenditure returns etc Full speech
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Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors Full speech
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Relevant overseas donations and relevant overseas transactions Full speech
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Power to extend certain restrictions to other types of donation and loan etc Full speech
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Independent review of registration and participation by overseas electors in UK Parliamentary elections Full speech
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Proposals for a Royal Commission on political donations and campaign expenditure Full speech
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Finally, on amendment 34, as the Bill stands the Secretary of State can rewrite the risk factors by regulation. That means that whoever stands at the Government Dispatch Box in two, five, 10, 20, or 30 years’ time will have the power to undo any of the progress made in this area without due consideration for anything else. My amendment simply says that the risk factors could be changed only to give effect to a recommendation from the independent Electoral Commission-it should be the arbiter of w... Full speech
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It is so important that we recognise the threat posed by these malign state actors and individuals who want to disrupt our politics. We should do everything we can to erect walls and safety barriers to ensure that they do not disrupt our politics for the long term. Full speech
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However, I begin by addressing the points made by the shadow Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Weald of Kent (Katie Lam). I really do welcome her to her new position, and wish her the best in the role- I know that she will be a formidable force to battle across the Chamber. But let us be honest: this is not the first time that the hon. Member has jumped on the Reform bandwagon. I refer to that party’s call in relation to so-called non-native languages during elections. Thankfully, we have ... Full speech
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Let me turn to those who engaged with the substance of the Bill. Several hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Ms Creasy), have sought to reduce the influence of large donations on our politics by proposing an annual cap on donations, including domestic donations. The Bill already contains a package of significant measures designed to strengthen the political finance regime while ensuring that legitimate donors can continue to fund election campaigns. The Secretary o... Full speech
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Five hours having elapsed since the commencement of proceedings on consideration, the proceedings were interrupted (Programme Order, this day). Full speech
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The Deputy Speaker put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of the business to be concluded at that time (Standing Order No. 83E). Full speech
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Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill. Full speech
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This new clause would ban election materials published in a foreign language by political parties and candidates during the short campaign. It would not ban campaigning in native languages of the British Islands such as in English, Welsh, Cornish, Ulster Scots, Irish, et al. Nor would it prevent campaigning via the likes of BSL or Braille . Full speech
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Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill. Full speech
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Question put, That the clause be added to the Bill. Full speech
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Section 148D(4) (onward disclosure of personal information disclosed to the Commission by the Revenue and Customs) On summary conviction in England and Wales: fine or the general limit in a magistrates’ court On summary conviction in Scotland: statutory maximum or 12 months On summary conviction in Northern Ireland: statutory maximum or 6 months On conviction on indictment: fine or 2 years Section 148E(4) (onward disclosure of personal information disclosed to the Commission by the Welsh Revenue... Full speech
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Donation Valuation provision (a) A donation within the meaning of this Part of this Act to a registered party Section 53 of this Act (b) A controlled donation within the meaning of Schedule 7 to this Act to a regulated donee Paragraph 5 of that Schedule (c) A relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 11 to this Act to a recognised third party Paragraph 5 of that Schedule (d) A relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 15 to this Act to a permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum... Full speech
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Donation Relevant refusal provision (a) A donation within the meaning of this Part of this Act to a registered party Section 56(2) of this Act (b) A controlled donation within the meaning of Schedule 7 to this Act to a regulated donee Section 56(2) of this Act, as applied by paragraph 8 of that Schedule (c) A relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 11 to this Act to a recognised third party Section 56(2) of this Act, as applied by paragraph 7 of that Schedule (d) A relevant donation wit... Full speech
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Transaction Valuation provision (a) A regulated transaction within the meaning of Part 4A of this Act Section 71G (b) A controlled transaction within the meaning of Schedule 7A to this Act Paragraph 3 of that Schedule (c) A regulated transaction within the meaning of Part 6 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2) Paragraph 48 of that Schedule Full speech
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“Section 55D(8) (making a false declaration about donation by overseas contributor) On summary conviction in England and Wales: fine or the general limit in a magistrates’ court On summary conviction in Scotland: statutory maximum or 12 months On summary conviction in Northern Ireland: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year”. Full speech
I will come on to my hon. Friend’s remarks later in my speech. To come back to accessibility, we agree with the principle outlined by my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle (Ms Minns) in her amendment, which is supported by my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Marsha De Cordova), who has lived experience of this, and many other Members. We will continue to work with my hon. Friend the Member for Carlisle and other interested Members from both Houses on a suitable amendment that can be tabled... Full speech
As has already been mentioned, it is common knowledge that too many voters think that money talks louder than their ballot paper and that those with the deepest pockets have far too easy access to power. In short, the British public increasingly do not trust their elected politicians or their democratic institutions. If we truly are serious about rebuilding that trust, we must tackle this problem head on. That is why the Representation of the People Bill really matters. As the Minister rightly n... Full speech
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(10) Regulations under subsection (1), (2) or (9) are to be made by statutory instrument. Full speech
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“registrable person” and “registrable relevant legal entity”, in relation to a company or limited liability partnership, have the same meaning as in Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006; Full speech
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(d) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 2A to RPA 1983 to a candidate at an election to which that Act applies; Full speech
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(3) In relation to each authorised participant which is a limited liability partnership, a quarterly report must also- Full speech
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(d) a statement relating to such other matters as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission.”; Full speech
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(1B) Paragraph 1 (power to require disclosure) is amended in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (2C).” Full speech
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“(8) For the purposes of this section, a “relevant benefit” accrues to a registered party from a person (P) if- Full speech
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“treasurer” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act). Full speech
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(2) Section 56(1) of PPERA 2000 (verifying identity etc of donor) has effect in relation to the donation as if it required all reasonable steps to verify or ascertain whether, in connection with the donation, the cap in section 55B(1)(b) of that Act is exceeded to be taken as soon as reasonably practicable on or after the commencement day (as well as requiring other steps to be taken forthwith on receipt of the donation). Full speech
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(b) by virtue of section 71HB would not be an authorised participant in the transaction if the purported transfer took place, Full speech
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(c) where that was so by virtue of section 55B(2)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
I begin by welcoming back the Secretary of State to her place. I very much look forward to working opposite her. As Conservative Members have set out so well throughout the passage of the Bill, this legislation professes to strengthen our democracy, but our democracy is not strengthened by proposals rushed through with too little time for proper scrutiny. Our democracy is not strengthened by allowing candidates to campaign in foreign languages, and to escape accountability as they build campaign... Full speech
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(a) the individual has given a declaration in accordance with section 71HE, and Full speech
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(4) Where the report records a transaction described in sub-paragraph (2)(a), the report must also- Full speech
Does my hon. Friend agree that the objective of the new clause that we are not talking about, because it is not in- Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for that important contribution. The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, which I chaired formerly, will continue to consider such issues, and many hon. Members will continue to feed into our proposals as we develop them. In conclusion, I wish briefly to reflect on the purpose of the Bill. Many Members will recall the toll that the last general election took on those who stood for election. The Electoral Commission’s research told us that more than half of ... Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the donation is received, not resident in the United Kingdom, and Full speech
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(a) an electoral registration officer (see section 8 of the Representation of the People Act 1983); Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for her comments about restricting donations. She has talked about loopholes and the new powers that the commission will have. One loophole I am concerned about is that around donations to candidates, the definition of “candidate”, and how that interacts with other parts of the legal framework. Will she share her thoughts on any progress that the Government are making on that loophole, and say whether there is a chance for it to be considered further? Full speech
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(4) The treasurer of the registered party must deliver the report to the Electoral Commission before the end of the period of 90 days beginning with the commencement day. Full speech
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(c) the transaction becomes a regulated transaction by virtue of a variation of its terms at a time when the individual is a party to the transaction and an overseas contributor. Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for her work on the Bill and on trying to level the playing field to ensure that every Member and every person has the ability to vote independently and in secret. She rightly highlights that one group, which includes me, are unable to vote independently and in secret because we are unable to see our ballot paper clearly. Does she agree that it is time for everyone to work together to ensure that we level the playing field so that every person has the ability and the right... Full speech
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(11) In this section, “enforcement function” means a function of, or conferred for the purpose of- Full speech
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(3) Sub-paragraph (2) is subject to sub-paragraph (4) (and see also paragraph 7). Full speech
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(b) a controlled donation within the meaning of Schedule 7 to this Act to a regulated donee; Full speech
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(b) in paragraph (e), after “paragraph” insert “1B, 1C,”. Full speech
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(2B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2A)(c), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration.” Full speech
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(6) Section 71S(7) and (8) of PPERA 2000 (forfeiture of donation) apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement referred to in section 71S(7) of that Act. Full speech
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(5) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, sub-paragraphs (1) and (3) are to be read as if- Full speech
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(3D) In subsection (3C), “cryptoasset” has the same meaning as in Part 4 (see section 55A(6) and (7)).” Full speech
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(i) the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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“electoral register” means a register of parliamentary or local government electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Full speech
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(d) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 15 to this Act to a permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum; Full speech
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(e) the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland; Full speech
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(b) has become void by virtue of section 71I or 71J, or Full speech
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(10) In paragraph 1 (interpretation), at the end insert- Full speech
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(5) Section 65(6) and (7) of PPERA 2000 (forfeiture of donation) apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement referred to in section 65(6). Full speech
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(a) where the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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(b) state the value of each of those transactions at the time the main donation is received. Full speech
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(ii) in paragraph (a), for “under this Act” substitute “within paragraph 3(1)(a)”; Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken as being an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.””-(Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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(ii) the condition in paragraph (c)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, Full speech
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“anonymous entry” (in an electoral register) has the same meaning as in the Representation of the People Act 1983 (see section 9B(4) of that Act); Full speech
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“Regulated transactions involving registered parties”. Full speech
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(a) an enactment comprised in subordinate legislation (as defined in section 21 of the Interpretation Act 1978); Full speech
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(1E) For the purposes of subsections (1B) and (1C), the relevant benefit accrues- Full speech
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“the pre-commencement period” means the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending immediately before the commencement day; Full speech
We are talking about two completely different things. We are talking about the age of adulthood, the age at which we think people have the ability to weigh up everything that is going on and come to a decision. The House is saying that those young people cannot go on social media, should not be on certain types of iPhone and should not be able to do other things, yet at the same time they are mature enough to vote-inconsistency. I am saying that we need to be consistent: a bit of common sense an... Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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(2) In this paragraph, “donation” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of PPERA 2000. Full speech
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(iii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
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(c) the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the declaration event takes place expires without the registered party receiving from B the declaration required under section 71HE. Full speech
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2 The amendments made by paragraph 1 have effect in relation to a connected transaction entered into on or after 25 March 2026. Full speech
That is incredibly welcome news. Will the Minister commit that this Government will always act to protect the integrity of the next general election? Full speech
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“political contribution” has the meaning given in paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 19A to PPERA 2000, as amended by Schedule 9 to this Act; Full speech
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(b) references to the time of a donation’s receipt by a registered party were references to the time of each relevant occurrence in relation to the transaction; Full speech
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(d) a petition officer for a process for dealing with a recall petition within the meaning of the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see section 1(2) of that Act). Full speech
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“enactment” includes (in addition to the things it includes by virtue of section 160(1))- Full speech
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(1) This section applies where the Revenue and Customs disclose information to the Commission under section 148B(1). Full speech
The Bill gives us a real chance to defend and strengthen our democracy, and although it is not in the scope of the Bill, I hope that the Government will look in future legislation at electoral reform and proportional representation. I have tabled new clauses 20 and 21 and supported many amendments because the Bill as it stands does not go far enough. New clause 21 enshrines in the Bill the principle of a cap on political donations. It is time to kick big money, foreign or domestic, out of Britis... Full speech
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(a) where the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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(b) in subsection (6), after “which” insert “must or”. Full speech
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“permitted participant in a Scottish referendum” means a permitted participant as defined in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2); Full speech
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This amendment would provide, in relation to a proxy postal voting arrangement that is applied for or granted outside the period beginning 1 October and ending 30 January, that the maximum permitted period of the arrangement ends with the fifth, rather than the third, 31 January following the date of grant. Full speech
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(a) paragraph 6 (as amended by section (Donations etc in cryptoassets)) (donations from impermissible donors); Full speech
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(3) A relevant overseas donation which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main donation is to be counted only if the main donee was the donee of the relevant overseas donation. Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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(b) the effectiveness of existing limits on campaign expenditure, including the appropriateness of the time period during which those limits apply. Full speech
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(9) In paragraph 6 (retention of documents delivered in pursuance of court order), in sub-paragraph (1), after “paragraph” insert “1B or”. Full speech
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“(3ZZA) In determining for the purposes of this Part whether an individual is an authorised participant in relation to a regulated transaction, section 54(2)(a) is to be read as if the reference to section 55B (cap on donations by overseas contributors) were a reference to section 71HB (cap on loans etc by overseas contributors).” Full speech
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(7) Subsections (4) and (5) do not affect the pursuit of any remedy or the taking of any action in relation to a contravention of subsection (2) or (3). Full speech
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(b) in sub-paragraph (3) omit “(within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act 1983)” in both places; Full speech
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(4) In sub-paragraph (3)(e), the reference to an election to which the Representation of the People Act 1983 applies includes an election to which that Act applies by virtue of- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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(2) The amount of the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main donation is determined by adding together- Full speech
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(4) Schedule 5A (relevant overseas donations and transactions and their value) applies for the purposes of this Part of this Act as it applies for the purposes of Part 4 of this Act. Full speech
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(i) after “a reporting period” insert “and a registered party”; Full speech
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(3) In relation to each donation recorded in the report, the report must include the information required to be included in a quarterly report by the following provisions of Schedule 6 to PPERA 2000 (whichever is relevant)- Full speech
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(3) A relevant overseas donation by an individual which is received by the donee before the commencement day is a relevant previous contribution of the individual only in the following cases- Full speech
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(b) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament, and Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on Amendment 86. Full speech
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(1) Where there is a change described in subsection (2) in relation to an individual who is a party to a regulated transaction, the individual must give a written notice of the change- Full speech
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(iii) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
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(a) at the time of inspection the information referred to in subsection (1B)(a) included a notice given under section 790LC of the Companies Act 2006, Full speech
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(a) in the case of a relevant overseas transaction which is not a connected transaction, a party to the relevant overseas transaction, or Full speech
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(e) the value of the main transaction at the time of the declaration event; Full speech
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This amendment would clarify how the aggregation provision in new paragraph 6(1B) and (1C) of Schedule 7 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 operates where there is a connected transaction within Schedule 7A to that Act. Full speech
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(c) the terms of the transaction are varied so as to increase its value; Full speech
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(a) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to a fine; Full speech
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(5) In section 58 (forfeiture of donations made by impermissible or unidentifiable donors), in subsection (1), in paragraph (a), before “or (b)” insert “, (ab)”. Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 107. Full speech
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““resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
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“(8A) A donation report for a reporting period must also separately record every donation received during that period from an individual who, at the time the donation is received, is an overseas contributor (as defined in section 55B(2) and (3)). Full speech
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a reference to a “donation in cryptoassets” has the same meaning as it has for Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (see section 55A(5) of that Act). Full speech
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(i) the tri-service serious crime unit, within the meaning given by section 375(1A) of the Armed Forces Act 2006; Full speech
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“permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum” means a permitted participant as defined in section 105, except that it does not include a registered party other than a minor party; Full speech
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(b) state the value of each of those transactions when the declaration event takes place. Full speech
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(b) the transaction becomes a regulated transaction (having not been one when it was first entered into) by virtue of a variation of its terms; Full speech
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(c) in the case of a connected transaction within sub-paragraph (1D)(c), when the connected transaction is entered into. Full speech
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(2) For the purposes of section 69 of PPERA 2000 (as applied by sub-paragraph (1)), details given in a report in accordance with paragraph 10(3) of this Schedule are to be treated as having been given under the relevant paragraph of Schedule 6 to PPERA 2000.”-(Angela Rayner.) Full speech
The allegations that the hon. Lady makes are extremely serious, and should be based on robust evidence. To be told that “volunteers had reported” is not sufficient, and she must understand the implications of what she is saying, in terms of social coherence and undermining the very status of our democracy. I ask her to be a little more cautious, and to proceed on the basis of evidence. Full speech
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This amendment and Amendments 108 to 110 are consequential on Amendment 111. They would clarify from whom a relevant benefit must accrue in order for it to be aggregated under new subsections (1B) and (1C) of section 71H of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Full speech
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“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of RPA 1983; Full speech
I must make progress. Government new clause 114 implements recommendation 7 of the Rycroft review by giving the Electoral Commission clear powers to require campaign spending returns to be submitted in a standardised format across the political finance regime. That will make spending returns more consistent and easier to scrutinise, supporting greater transparency and more effective oversight. The amendments relating to “know your donor” measures make a series of technical and clarification chan... Full speech
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(5) A person who fails to comply with a document-disclosure order made under this paragraph may not, in respect of that failure, be both punished for contempt of court and convicted of an offence under paragraph 13(1). Full speech
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(d) make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional, transitory or saving provision; Full speech
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(e) subsection (5)(d)(iii) referred to P, rather than the individual; Full speech
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(h) a service police force, within the meaning given by section 375 of the Armed Forces Act 2006; Full speech
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“(1) Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (6). Full speech
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(3) A disclosure notice under this paragraph may not require an organisation to which, or an individual to whom, paragraph 1 applies to produce documents, or provide information or an explanation, which relates to the organisation’s or individual’s own income and expenditure. Full speech
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(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(b), where an individual- Full speech
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(2) The power in subsection (1) is subject to any express restriction on disclosure imposed by or under another enactment (ignoring any restriction which allows disclosure if authorised by an enactment). Full speech
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(2) A person is guilty of an offence if the person causes campaign material to be promoted or published that falls within subsection (1). Full speech
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“(1A) In the italic heading before paragraph 1, for “disclosure” substitute “ disclosures by registered parties etc about their finances”. Full speech
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(c) a person listed in subsection (4) (persons connected with law enforcement etc); Full speech
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(i) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 3A to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) to a candidate at a local election in Northern Ireland; Full speech
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(2) The officers mentioned in subsection (1)(b) are- Full speech
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(b) where the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 and involves the individual becoming such an overseas contributor (see section 71HB(3)(b) of PPERA 2000); Full speech
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Donations which are relevant previous contributions Full speech
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“(5) References in this section to a person’s “profit” for a financial year are references to the amount that is produced by deducting from the person’s income relating to that year the person’s expenditure relating to that year (including charges to tax) and a person “makes a profit” for a financial year only where that amount is more than zero.” Full speech
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(b) the creditor releases the whole debt (or all of the remaining debt).” Full speech
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(c) in determining (in accordance with section 71G) the value of a regulated transaction which is a loan, the total amount to be lent under the loan agreement is to be treated as reduced by the amount of any repayments that have been made of the principal of the loan.” Full speech
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(5) The bodies mentioned in subsection (4)(a) are- Full speech
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This amendment would provide that the extent of the amendments made by paragraph 7 of NS6 matches the extent of the provisions amended. Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would amend the significant control test in new section 54E of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to impose an additional requirement in cases where there is a person with significant control by virtue of their position in relation to a trust or firm, the trustees or members of which are also persons with significant control. Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(d)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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148C Disclosure of information by Commission Full speech
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(a) list each relevant overseas transaction in relation to the individual which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main donation; Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
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(3) The relevant portion of the calendar year is the period- Full speech
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“registered party” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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19 In Schedule 20 to PPERA 2000 (penalties), at the appropriate place insert- Full speech
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(a) the donee accepts a controlled donation from P as a donor, Full speech
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(b) the party must retain the declaration until the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the party receives it. Full speech
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“the commencement day” means the day on which section (Donations etc in cryptoassets) comes into force; Full speech
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5 In Schedule 6A (details to be given in transaction reports), after paragraph 2 insert- Full speech
With this it will be convenient to discuss the following: Government new clause 76- Entering into of regulated transactions under Part 4A of PPERA 2000 . Government new clause 77- Procedure for regulations under PPERA 2000 . Government new clause 78- Sharing of information between Electoral Commission and others . Government new clause 113- Termination of entitlement to be registered as overseas elector . Government new clause 114- Powers to prescribe form and contents of campaign expenditure re... Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would provide, in relation to a postal voting arrangement that is applied for or granted outside the period beginning 1 October and ending 30 January, that the maximum permitted period of the arrangement ends with the fifth, rather than the third, 31 January following the date of grant. Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would extend from 3 years to 5 years the period over which a company or LLP’s profits are looked at in determining whether a registered party can accept a donation from the company or LLP. Full speech
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(4) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, subsection (1)(a) is to be read as referring to the individual being an overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death (rather than when the donation is received). Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules)- Full speech
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(c) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 15 to PPERA 2000 to a permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum; Full speech
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This amendment would give the Electoral Commission power to require any person to provide documents, information or explanations relating to the income and expenditure of persons mentioned in paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 19B to PPERA 2000, and would provide for court enforcement. Full speech
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(ii) immediately before the end of the transitional period. Full speech
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(2) If this section applies, the individual is not to be treated as an authorised participant in the regulated transaction by virtue of section 54(2)(a) (read with section 71H(3) and (3ZZA)) at the time when the overseas contributor event takes place. Full speech
As chair of the all-party parliamentary group for fair elections, the largest APPG in Parliament, I am delighted to welcome the Bill as a significant culture shift for our democracy and a generational step towards fairer politics. I also welcome the Minister to her place, as she is a trusted friend and ally on fair elections. The APPG’s loss is certainly the Government’s gain. It is fitting that the Representation of the People Bill is the first piece of legislation to come to the House under th... Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 101. Full speech
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(8) Regulations under subsection (1) or (2) may, among other things- Full speech
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(b) the party must retain the declaration until the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day on which the party receives it. Full speech
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(9) Section 71J(2) to (6) and (9) apply with effect from the end of the period described in section 71HD(3).” Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3). Full speech
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(a) a controlled donation within the meaning of Schedule 7 to PPERA 2000 to a regulated donee; Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”. Full speech
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“minor party” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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9 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies in relation to a relevant pre-commencement donation which- Full speech
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(b) where the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 and involves the individual becoming such an overseas contributor (see section 71HB(3)(b) of PPERA 2000); Full speech
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“overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985;”; Full speech
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(b) whether, at the time the main donation is received, the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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(i) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (c); Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraph (2)(a) omit “(within the meaning of section 54)”; Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
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This amendment is to introduce the Schedule that would be inserted by Amendment NS5. Full speech
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(a) list each relevant overseas donation in relation to the individual which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main transaction and the declaration event; Full speech
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(13) The Secretary of State may not make regulations under subsection (1), (2) or (9) after the end of the period of 18 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed. Full speech
I begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) on her appointment as the Minister for Democracy. I thank her predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon), for the work that she and the brilliant officials in the Department did on this very important Bill, and I thank the Minister for tabling the Government amendments. I had the privilege of serving as her predecessor’s predecessor and working on th... Full speech
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““GAAP compliant profit and loss account” means a profit and loss account, or an income statement or other equivalent financial statement, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practice;”. Full speech
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(c) B becomes registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and Full speech
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(c) donations to permitted participants at referendums, Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
Will the hon. Lady give way for a constructive question? Full speech
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(a) the references to receipt of a donation on or after 25 March 2026 or 6 July 2026 were references to receipt on or after that date of a donation in the form of a bequest from an individual who died on or after that date, Full speech
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12 In section 71N (changes to be recorded in quarterly reports)- Full speech
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(a) the experience of overseas voters at 2024 general election; Full speech
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(f) the Independent Remuneration Board of the Senedd; Full speech
I congratulate the new Minister and wish her well in her role. I share the confidence of the House, as has been expressed, from her excellent role as the Chair of the Select Committee, and I know that she will do her best in this role, too. This Bill and the amendments we are discussing matter because they go to the heart of what all of us hear on the doorstep, which is that people simply do not trust in politics or in many of the people in it any more. Trust and turnout are regrettably at recor... Full speech
I am very glad to have set up my hon. Friend for that. I want to speak about money in politics, particularly with reference to new clause 17, tabled by my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds), for whom I have the utmost respect and admiration. It has been clear to me, not just over the summer but when I have spoken to voters since my election and beforehand, that the influence of money on politics is increasing. That is undermining faith in our democracy; it is an assau... Full speech
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(iii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
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(b) the security given for which is wholly or partly in cryptoassets- Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraph (8), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(i) in the case of a regulated transaction which is not a connected transaction, a party to the regulated transaction, or Full speech
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(a) the merits of a cap on political donations, and the level at which such a cap should be set, and Full speech
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This new Schedule would ensure that the additional tests introduced by clause 60 for a company or LLP to be a permissible donor to a registered party also operate in relation to the regime regulating transactions involving a registered party. Full speech
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(a) where it is being determined what a person ought reasonably to have known when the transaction was first entered into, the period of 30 days ending with the day before the day on which the transaction was first entered into; Full speech
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(iii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
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(c) the party enters into a transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(a) with another person and that other person enters into a connected transaction with P as an authorised participant. Full speech
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(8) In this Schedule, “relevant pre-commencement donation” means a donation in relation to which the provisions and amendments listed in sub-paragraph (1) have effect by virtue of sub-paragraph (4), read with sub-paragraphs (5) and (6). Full speech
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(d) taking other measures in response to failures to comply with an enactment or rule of law. Full speech
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(4) The reference in sub-paragraph (1)(a)(i) to a registered party entering into a regulated transaction includes a reference to any circumstances in which the terms of a regulated transaction are varied so as to increase the amount of money to which the party is entitled in consequence of the transaction. Full speech
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(2) The report must record each retained pre-commencement cryptoasset donation. Full speech
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(j) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1917) to a candidate at an election of a police and crime commissioner. Full speech
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(d) where it is being determined what a person ought reasonably to have known when a party to the transaction ceased to be an authorised participant (see subsection (13)), the period of 90 days ending with the day before the day on which the party ceased to be an authorised participant.”; Full speech
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(6) A prosecution for an offence under this section may be instituted- Full speech
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(f) a person not mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) so far as the person discharges regulatory functions, or enforcement functions, of a public nature in relation to any description of activities. Full speech
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(1) In sections 148B and 148C, “relevant public authority” means- Full speech
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(a) the party accepts a donation from P as a donor (but see subsection (9)), Full speech
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“Further information relating to authorised participants that are companies or LLPs: quarterly reports Full speech
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(b) that value is to be determined in accordance with section 71G, and Full speech
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(a) list each relevant overseas transaction in relation to the individual which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main transaction and the declaration event; Full speech
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(2) For the purposes of section 71V of PPERA 2000 (as applied by sub-paragraph (1)), details given in a report in accordance with paragraph 29(3) of this Schedule are to be treated as having been given under the relevant paragraph of Schedule 6A to PPERA 2000.” Full speech
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(ii) after “money so spent”, in both places it occurs, insert “, or other property so transferred,”; Full speech
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(3) In section 156 (orders and regulations), in subsection (4ZA) (inserted by section (Procedure for regulations under PPERA 2000) of this Act), after paragraph (e) insert- Full speech
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(7) In section 63 (weekly donation reports during general election periods), after subsection (4) insert- Full speech
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“relevant address” (of a registrable person) means- Full speech
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(b) in subsection (4), for the words from “no transactions” to “that period” substitute “no transactions have been entered into by the registered party which, by virtue of subsection (3) or (3A), are required to be recorded in the weekly report for that period, that report”; Full speech
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(a) paragraph 2(2) (read with paragraph 2(3)) (authorised participant’s name and address etc); Full speech
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(ii) section 55B (cap on donations by overseas contributors);”; Full speech
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(a) the value of each relevant overseas donation described in subsection (1)(a), and Full speech
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(b) in the case of a regulated transaction within subsection (8)(b), when the transaction is entered into; Full speech
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(b) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, a Measure or Act of Senedd Cymru; Full speech
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson. Full speech
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(8) An individual who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence. Full speech
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1 (1) Section 71H of PPERA 2000 (authorised participants) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(b) in the case of a controlled transaction within sub-paragraph (1D)(b), when the transaction is entered into; Full speech
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(b) by virtue of the provisions and amendments listed in paragraph 21(1) (and only by virtue of those provisions and amendments) is, on the commencement day, a transaction which is void under section 71I or 71J of PPERA 2000. Full speech
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Application of quarterly reporting obligations Full speech
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That right was first enshrined by this Parliament in 1872, as my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton Itchen (Darren Paffey) said earlier in the debate. More than 150 years later, blind and partially sighted people are still being denied that right. It is time that was brought to an end. One of those people currently denied that right is my constituent John, who on arriving at the polling station with his guide dog at the last general election found that the... Full speech
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(b) in that sub-paragraph, for ‘In relation’ substitute ‘Subject to sub-paragraph (2), in relation’; Full speech
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(b) in section 53 (value of donations), after subsection (3) insert- Full speech
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(ii) an order made under section 14 of the Harbours Act 1964, or Full speech
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(3) Where the transaction is a connected transaction, sub-paragraph (1)(a) is to be read as if it referred to the individual being a person who gives a form of security under the transaction. Full speech
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“cryptoasset” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of that Act (see section 55A(6) and (7) of that Act); Full speech
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This new clause would restrict the amount which may be donated to registered political parties during a calendar year by an individual who is an overseas elector or who has recently been resident outside the UK. Full speech
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(c) in sub-paragraph (5), after “document-disclosure order” insert “made under this paragraph”. Full speech
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(b) includes a person who, under an enactment or by virtue of an appointment made under an enactment, carries out some or all of the functions of such an officer. Full speech
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“(1A) In the case of a donation from an individual, the report must also give the following information, so far as it is for the time being known to the party- Full speech
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(a) the transaction is first entered into; Full speech
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4 The amendments made by subsections (6), (9) to (12) and (14) of section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) of this Act (reporting requirements) have effect in relation to a quarterly report required to be prepared for a period ending on or after the commencement day. Full speech
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10 (1) The treasurer of a registered party must prepare a report in respect of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending immediately before the commencement day (“the pre-commencement period”). Full speech
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(1) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Part. Full speech
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(a) monitoring or securing compliance with an enactment or rule of law; Full speech
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“bequest” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
I thank the hon. Lady for speaking about the security of candidates. That is the motivation behind my new clause 81, which would automatically make all candidates’ addresses anonymous. Does she agree that we need to take further steps to ensure that all candidates feel secure and able to stand for public office at all levels? Full speech
Speaker
(ii) section 60 (restriction on donations made by companies and LLPs), and Full speech
I thank the Government for, in particular, the proposals on 16 and 17-year-olds. I spent my summer conducting about 80 events across my constituency, meeting some of my youngest-and some of my oldest-constituents, and regularly hosting work experience students in my office and sixth-form surgeries at the schools in my constituency, and I have generally found more political maturity and wisdom in sixth forms than in the Northumberland county council Conservative group. Full speech
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(a) references to a donation (other than in section 54H(8), (8A) and (9)) were references to a regulated transaction; Full speech
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“accounting unit” and “party with accounting units” have the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(a) the individual is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration at that time, or Full speech
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(a) the references in sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) to a donation, Full speech
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(7) The declaration must also state that, to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief, the aggregate amount of the main transaction and the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main transaction and the declaration event (determined in accordance with section 71HC and Schedule 5A) is not more than £100,000. Full speech
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(d) donations to candidates at elections, Full speech
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(d) the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner; Full speech
The hon. Member clearly gave support; I had various caveats. As things have changed recently, children cannot get married now at 16, yet at the same time we do not think those under the age of 18 should be on social media. That is a new addition. We are changing the age of adulthood. Labour Members do not even think the brain is mature enough to be considered for criminal actions until the age of 25. Full speech
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(5) An individual who fails to give a notice in accordance with this section commits an offence. Full speech
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(a) is a change in relation to an individual who is a party to a regulated transaction described in paragraph 21(2)(a) or (b), and Full speech
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(b) paragraph 1(4) of Schedule 7A to this Act, or Full speech
I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate, because at the end of the day, nothing matters more than protecting our democracy. It is the bedrock of our society, and we have got to defend it at all costs. In that spirit, I am delighted to welcome the new Minister to her place. I know she will do a fantastic job. We need to show that intimidation has no part to play in our public life. This Bill makes provision to ensure that we give protection not only to candidates, camp... Full speech
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(k) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 5 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1917) to a candidate at an election of a police and crime commissioner. Full speech
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(c) the party enters into a transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(a) with another person and that other person enters into a regulated transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(b) (a “connected transaction”) with P as an authorised participant. Full speech
Speaker
4 In section 71V (register of recordable transactions), in subsection (2)(b), after Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
In line with that, is the right hon. Lady calling for the age at which one can get a job to be raised from 14 to 18, ruling out 16 to 18-year-olds from being able to work? Is she calling for the age at which one can learn to drive to be raised from 17 to 18? To follow her argument, it would be inconsistent not to support those things. Full speech
Speaker
Information relating to Irish transactions: quarterly reports”;”. - (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
I congratulate the new Minister, and welcome her to her place. It was, I think, a long overdue promotion. It was a privilege to serve on the Bill Committee; it was my first time. I enjoyed the Committee, and I enjoyed the spirit in which we conducted our debates. There were many occasions when I thought that amendments proposed by Opposition parties were sincere and tabled with good intentions, and on more than one occasion the former Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Nes... Full speech
Speaker
(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, an information-disclosure order is an order requiring the respondent to provide to the Commission, within such time as is specified in the order, such information or explanation falling within sub-paragraph (2) as is identified in the order. Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
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“relevant refusal provision” has the meaning given in paragraph 3 of this Schedule. Valuation Full speech
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(6) In this section, “personal information” means information relating to a person whose identity- Full speech
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(a) record each regulated transaction in relation to which there is an overseas contributor event which- Full speech
Speaker
(a) where the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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(3) After section 55A (inserted by section (Donations etc in cryptoassets) of this Act) insert- Full speech
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(b) apply orders or regulations or provision amended by orders or regulations, Full speech
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(2) Any donation in cryptoassets received by a registered party is to be regarded as a donation received by the party from a person who is not a permissible donor. Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
Speaker
“ Cryptoassets as security for loans etc: registered parties Full speech
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(i) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (c); Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”. Full speech
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(a) paragraph 2(2) (read with paragraph 2(3), (3B) and (3C)) (donor’s name and address etc); Full speech
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(8B) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, subsection (8A) is to be read as referring to an individual who is an overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death (rather than when the donation is received).”; Full speech
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(i) the Independent Remuneration Board (for the Northern Ireland Assembly). Full speech
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(b) make related provision (including provision about declarations, accounts, reports and offences and transitional provision). Full speech
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“treasurer” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(c) make different provision for different purposes; Full speech
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(6) The powers under subsection (1)(a) and (b) include power to make provision which has retrospective effect as from no earlier than 25 March 2026 (but the powers under subsections (1)(c) and (2) do not). Full speech
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“71JA Regulated transactions, guarantees and securities: failure to provide declaration under section 71HE Full speech
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(c) in the case of a connected transaction within subsection (1D)(c), when the connected transaction is entered into.” Full speech
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“regulated donee” has the meaning given in paragraph 1 of Schedule 7; Full speech
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(5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (4) to prove that the person reasonably believed- Full speech
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(a) in paragraph (a), after “paragraph 1” insert “, 1A”; Full speech
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(ii) that it has yet to be accepted or refused by its donee, or Full speech
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(b) the value of the donation, or the aggregate amount of that donation and the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the donation (determined in accordance with section 55C and Schedule 5A), is more than £100,000. Full speech
Speaker
“(6) For the purposes of this section, a GAAP compliant profit and loss account of a person for a financial year is determinative of the person’s income and expenditure relating to that year (subject to any regulations under subsection (7)). Full speech
Speaker
(5) In this paragraph, “donation” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of PPERA 2000. Full speech
Speaker
(a) donations to individuals and members associations, Full speech
The Bill contains a lot of useful tightening of electoral law, and we are having a very important debate this afternoon. It is important that we think about how we police donations from abroad and from home. I pay tribute to the remarks made by the hon. Members for Hexham (Joe Morris) and for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Rushanara Ali) about the impact of algorithms, social media and deepfakes. There are clearly threats to our democracy from technology that the Bill does not closely address. Let u... Full speech
Speaker
(4) In section 56 (acceptance or return of donations: general), after subsection (1ZA) (inserted by section (Donations etc in cryptoassets) of this Act) insert- Full speech
Speaker
(2) Those provisions and amendments have effect in relation to a donation made by an individual which is received by the registered party on or after 25 March 2026. Full speech
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(c) the period described in section 71HD(3) expires without the registered party receiving both of the following from the individual- Full speech
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(c) state the value of each donation described in paragraph (a) or (b); Full speech
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(c) where that was so by virtue of section 55B(2)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
Speaker
“relevant previous contribution” has the meaning given in section 55C of PPERA 2000; Full speech
Speaker
This amendment is consequential on amendment 129. Full speech
Speaker
(7) In this section, “personal information” means information relating to a person whose identity- Full speech
Speaker
(16) In Schedule 6 to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (minor and consequential amendments), in paragraphs 15 and 16 (amendments of sections 58(1)(a) and 62(9) of PPERA 2000), for the words from “for “section” to the end substitute “after “(a)” insert “, (aa)””. Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
Speaker
(b) a regulated transaction within the meaning of Part 6 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2). Full speech
Speaker
This new Clause would replace Clause 71 so as to provide for a reciprocal information gateway between the Electoral Commission and certain public authorities, expand the category of public authorities to which the gateway applies and impose restrictions on the onward disclosure of information provided by a revenue authority. Full speech
Speaker
(8) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence. Full speech
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(b) the donee enters into a controlled transaction with P as an authorised participant, or Full speech
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(a) the individual’s full name and address; Full speech
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(17) Schedule ( Cap on donations to registered parties by overseas contributors: application and transitional provision ) to this Act- Full speech
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24 (1) For the purposes of section 71HC of PPERA 2000 (relevant previous contributions), a relevant overseas donation by an individual is a relevant previous contribution of the individual if (and only if) the donation is received by the donee on or after 25 March 2026. Full speech
Speaker
Court order for delivery of documents required by disclosure notice Full speech
Speaker
“overseas contributor event” has the meaning given in section 71HB(3) of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(3) For the purposes of section 71L(3)(c), (4)(c), (7)(d) and (8)(d) of PPERA 2000 (failure to repay benefits), as they apply in relation to the transaction, the registered party and its treasurer are to be treated as taking the steps described in those provisions as soon as reasonably practicable after knowledge of the matters referred to in those provisions comes to the attention of the treasurer of the party if the party or (as appropriate) the treasurer takes those steps within the period of... Full speech
I think the hon. Gentleman should reflect on what he has effectively just said: that it is right for this House to disenfranchise my constituents, to take from them to right to vote for those who make the laws in 300 areas. Those 300 areas are what shape our economy in Northern Ireland: how we manufacture our goods, how we package them, how we sell them. All that has been removed from the reach of any single constituent in Northern Ireland to elect anyone to have any say over that. That is disen... Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 64. Full speech
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(ii) takes place at a time during the pre-commencement period when the registered party is a party to the transaction or (in the case of a connected transaction) benefits from, or falls to benefit in consequence of, the transaction, or Full speech
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(b) A is a party to a regulated transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(b) (“the connected transaction”) with an individual (B), Full speech
On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. In her opening remarks on Report of the important Representation of the People Bill, the shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the hon. Member for Weald of Kent (Katie Lam), repeated-I am sure inadvertently-misinformation about family voting in the Gorton and Denton by-election, despite the fact that it was run within the law and saw me elected with an overwhelming majority, and that Greater Manchester police found no ... Full speech
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(4) An individual is an overseas contributor at a time during a calendar year if- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 107. Full speech
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(a) a declaration event described in section 71HE(2)(a) or (c) (event involving overseas contributor) takes place in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction to which a registered party is a party, and Full speech
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(b) if so, whether that was by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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This amendment and Amendments 102 to 104 are consequential on Amendment 105. They would clarify from whom a relevant controlled benefit must accrue in order for it to be aggregated under new paragraph 6(1B) and (1C) of Schedule 7 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Full speech
I thank all Members who have contributed to today’s debate for their constructive and informed contributions. Madam Deputy Speaker, I do not want to face a telling-off from you, so given the timings, I will not reference each amendment but instead talk broadly about the main themes of the debate. I assure Members, who have asked a number of detailed and serious questions, that I have taken note of many of the questions; I commit to writing to them individually if I do not cover those areas in my... Full speech
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(5) The treasurer of the registered party must deliver the report to the Electoral Commission before the end of the period of 90 days beginning with the commencement day. Full speech
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(a) in the case of a donation falling within section 50(2)(a) (gifts), it is a gift of cryptoassets; Full speech
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(7) The amendments made by this section have effect in relation to a donation received by a registered party on or after 25 March 2026 other than a donation which, before the commencement of this section, has been dealt with in accordance with section 56(2) of PPERA 2000. Full speech
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148G Meaning of “relevant public authority” Full speech
Regretfully, I think that the hon. and learned Member is confused about the constitutional process. That 67-year-old constituent of his votes for a representative to come to this place, and this place takes decisions on their behalf equally, on any part of the United Kingdom. This institution decided that it was in the best interests, and continues to be in the best interests, of this country and of Northern Ireland to maintain the Windsor framework in lieu of any better alternative on the table... Full speech
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“relevant previous contribution” has the meaning given in section 71HC. Full speech
I want to make some more progress. To ensure the efficacy of this cap, we are introducing a minimum residency period. That will mean that an individual moving or returning to the UK will be subject to the £100,000 cap for the remainder of the calendar year, plus another full calendar year. Measures relating to overseas electors and those who have been registered as overseas electors will be retrospective to the date that they were announced on 25 March 2026. Again, that will prevent bad actors f... Full speech
All of us need to work to protect the integrity of all elections, not just the next general election. Every election should matter. Local elections, regional elections, mayoral elections-every election should have the same weight when it comes to ensuring that it is free from any foreign interference. That is how we strengthen our democracy. A number of hon. Members have tabled amendments on candidate safety, including my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Limehouse (Apsana Begum). My hon. Fr... Full speech
It has been a privilege to be part of this process and to listen to the impassioned contributions from Members across the House, from Second Reading through to Committee and Report. The contents of this legislation have been a long time coming, and owe a great deal to the hard work of the people who have campaigned tirelessly for improvements to our system and to clean up our politics, and of course, to those who do the work on the ground. Our returning officers and those who deliver democracy, ... Full speech
Order. Before we delve into a rabbit hole about proportional representation, it might be helpful if I remind all Members that it is out of scope of the Bill. Full speech
I will put in place an immediate five-minute time limit. Full speech
Let me start with a word of thanks to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon), who is not in her place, who said quite rightly that an awful lot has changed since the Bill was first introduced to this House. Indeed, a lot has been revealed over the course of the summer. In fact, reporting in The Times , The Sunday Times , the Financial Times , The Guardian and Byline Times has now revealed 37 different questions around the finances of the Reform party, but no doub... Full speech
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7 (1) Part 5 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2) (referendum campaign rules: control of donations to permitted participants) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the event takes place, not resident in the United Kingdom, and Full speech
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(c) in the case of a connected transaction within subsection (8)(c), when the connected transaction is entered into.” Full speech
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“the commencement day” means the day on which the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule come into force; Full speech
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(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the donation is received; Full speech
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(3) For the purposes of this paragraph, a document-disclosure order is an order requiring the respondent to deliver to the Commission, within such time as is specified in the order, such documents falling within sub-paragraph (2) as are identified in the order (either specifically or by reference to any category or description of document). Full speech
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“(1D) For the purposes of subsections (1B) and (1C), a “relevant benefit” accrues to a registered party from a person (P) if- Full speech
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(a) in the case of a relevant overseas transaction which is not a connected transaction, a party to the relevant overseas transaction, or Full speech
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This amendment would provide for previous regulated transactions with a registered party to be ignored in certain circumstances in determining whether a company or LLP is a permissible donor. Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for amendment 138. Full speech
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(c) give the relevant address of each registrable person whose name is given under paragraph (b) or, where that address is not known to the party, include a statement to that effect. Full speech
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“relevant overseas transaction” has the meaning given in Part 2 of Schedule 5A; Full speech
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(a) each relevant overseas donation by the individual which was Full speech
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8 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) applies in relation to a relevant pre-commencement donation which is not dealt with before the commencement day in accordance with section 56(2) of PPERA 2000 (return of donations). Full speech
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(ii) in paragraph (a), for “under this Act” substitute “within paragraph 3(1)(a)”; Full speech
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(a) is a reference to an officer who, under an enactment, holds an office with that title or an officer with a title which includes those words and other words, and Full speech
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(a) references to the value of a regulated transaction are to its value at the time of receipt of the donation in question, Full speech
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“relevant overseas donation” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(b) makes transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of this section. Full speech
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(a) in the case of a donation, when it is accepted; Full speech
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(1) Where a donation by an individual (the “main donation”) is received by a registered party at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor- Full speech
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This amendment changes the way in which the maximum fine for an offence on summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland is expressed to reflect the fact that it is an either way offence. Full speech
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“central organisation” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(b) the individual ceasing to be so registered. Full speech
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(9) In this paragraph (other than in sub-paragraph (1)) and paragraphs 1 and 3 to 11, references to the provisions and amendments listed in sub-paragraph (1), or to a particular provision listed, or amended by a provision listed, in that sub-paragraph include the provision or amendment as it has effect by virtue of this paragraph. Full speech
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(3ZC) For the purposes of subsection (3ZB) there is a “relevant occurrence” in relation to a regulated transaction when- Full speech
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(a) make provision about when certain amendments made by this Schedule, and certain provisions applied by provisions inserted by this Schedule, have effect, and Full speech
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(c) the regulated participant enters into a transaction of a description mentioned in paragraph 2(3)(a) with another person and that other person enters into a connected transaction with P as an authorised participant. Full speech
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This amendment would clarify how the aggregation provision in new section 54H of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 operates where there is a connected transaction within Part 4A of that Act. Full speech
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(i) enters into a regulated transaction, or Full speech
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23 The amendments made by paragraphs 11 to 13 and 18(1), (2) and (4) of this Schedule (reporting requirements) have effect in relation to a quarterly report required to be prepared for a period ending on or after the commencement day. Full speech
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“(1D) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1B) and (1C), a “relevant controlled benefit” accrues to a regulated participant from a person (P) if- Full speech
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(b) give details of any respects in which the declaration was found or suspected to be untruthful or inaccurate.” Full speech
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(6) “Cryptoasset” means a cryptographically secured digital representation of value or contractual rights that uses a form of distributed ledger technology and can be transferred, stored or traded electronically. Full speech
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(b) makes provision about determining the value of such transactions. Full speech
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(2) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to sub-paragraph (3). Full speech
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(e) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 to an accredited campaigner; Full speech
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(b) give the name of each person (if any) who, as at that date, is (according to the information so inspected) a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the limited liability partnership, and Full speech
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(a) the existing text becomes sub-paragraph (1); Full speech
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21 (1) This paragraph makes provision about the application of the following provisions and amendments- Full speech
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“(1D) For the purposes of subsections (1B) and (1C), a “relevant benefit” accrues to a registered party from a person (P) if- Full speech
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Transactions which are relevant previous contributions Full speech
I very much support my hon. Friend’s work to ensure that voting is accessible to blind and visually impaired people. Does she agree that other groups, such as those with learning disabilities, also face barriers in participating in elections, and that further work should be done to ensure that everybody has a free vote? Full speech
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(8) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section so as to vary the definition of “relevant public authority” by- Full speech
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“accounting unit” and “party with accounting units” have the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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“(ca) a statement relating to such other matters as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission;”; Full speech
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This new clause requires the Secretary of State to put forward proposals to establish a Royal Commission to consider and make recommendations for a cap on political donations, as well as the effectiveness of existing campaign expenditure limits. - (Lisa Smart.) Full speech
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(ii) are reasonably required by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out their functions; or Full speech
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(2) The Commission must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of the Welsh Revenue Authority (which may be general or specific). Full speech
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(b) otherwise, the person’s home address (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere). Full speech
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“name” means the name that would satisfy the requirement to provide a name imposed by section 790K of the Companies Act 2006; Full speech
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(1) Where there is a declaration event in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction (the “main transaction”)- Full speech
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(1) An individual is not to be treated as a permissible donor by virtue of section 54(2)(a) in relation to a donation if- Full speech
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2 For the purposes of this Part of this Act, the value of each kind of relevant overseas donation listed in paragraph 1(3) is to be determined in accordance with the valuation provision set out in the following table. Full speech
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(7) In this paragraph (other than in sub-paragraph (1)) and in paragraphs 20 and 22 to 30, references to the provisions and amendments listed in sub-paragraph (1), or to a particular provision listed, or amended by a provision listed, in that sub-paragraph include the provision or amendment as it has effect by virtue of this paragraph. Full speech
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(b) if so, whether that was by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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(7) Where a registered party is a party with accounting units, this paragraph applies separately in relation to the central organisation of the party and each of its accounting units, as if any reference to the party were a reference to that organisation or, as appropriate, to such a unit. Full speech
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“(ha) section ( Power to extend certain restrictions to other types of donation and loan etc ) (power to extend certain restrictions to other types of donation and loan etc);” Full speech
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(iii) that the individual does not know whether it has been accepted or refused. Full speech
I thank the hon. Lady for her patience. Does she see the conflict between addressing problems with family voting, which may well be caused by members of a family not having English as their first language, or as a language at all, and therefore needing to be informed in a language that they are comfortable with, and taking steps to restrict information being produced in a language that enables a family member to understand the arguments that are being made in an election? We can all agree that u... Full speech
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(a) after subsection (9B) (inserted by Schedule (Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors) to this Act) insert- Full speech
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(ii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
If those in Scotland want to carry on with this vote rigging, they are fully entitled to do so, and I am sure that they will conjure up many other ways in which to do it. This Government can wax lyrical as much as they like about the virtues of lowering the voting age, but we know how important it is for people to fully understand and appreciate what they are doing. It is the inconsistency that strikes me: 16-year-olds cannot buy alcohol, cannot have a tattoo, cannot be on the frontline and cann... Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for amendment 140. Full speech
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“overseas contributor event” has the meaning given in section 71HB(3); Full speech
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(9) Where the main transaction is a loan, in determining (in accordance with section 71G) the value of the transaction at the time of a declaration event, the total amount to be lent under the loan agreement is to be treated as reduced by the amount of any repayments that have been made of the principal of the loan. Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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55B Cap on donations by overseas contributors Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
It is an established fact that observers reported widespread concerns about family voting at the by-election that returned the hon. Member for Gorton and Denton (Hannah Spencer) to the House. It is up to every Member, and to the public, to decide what to do with that information. The hon. Lady is within her rights to dismiss it, but I do not. Full speech
I begin by paying tribute to my predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Braintree (Sir James Cleverly), for his work in this role. He has left big shoes to fill, and I look forward to following in his footsteps as best I can. I would also like to register my thanks to my hon. Friends the Members for Orpington (Gareth Bacon), for Broxbourne (Lewis Cocking), and for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner (David Simmonds), alongside whom I am so fortunate to be working, including on this Bill, and ... Full speech
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1 (1) Schedule 7 to PPERA 2000 (control of donations to individuals and members associations) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(iii) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
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4 (1) For the purposes of this Part of this Act, a transaction of a kind listed in sub-paragraph (2) is a relevant overseas transaction in relation to an individual at a time when- Full speech
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(4) In Schedule 20 (penalties), at the appropriate place insert- Full speech
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(b) had no reasonable grounds for thinking that the statement made in accordance with subsection (7) of that section was untruthful or inaccurate.” Full speech
I rise to speak to new clauses 58 and 59 in my name. For far too long, survivors of domestic abuse have been locked out of our politics, for reasons ranging from the risk to physical safety to the threat of further exposure to post-separation harassment, as well as the serious toll on mental and emotional wellbeing. I know this all too well from my own horrific election experiences, where my ex-husband stood against me. I know that my experiences are not unique, and there are others who have suf... Full speech
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The new clause 75 enables the Secretary of State, by regulation, to make provisions of equivalent effect across the wider political finance framework. Regulations extending restrictions on donations and transactions for both cryptoassets and the cap on overseas contributors may have effect no earlier than 25 March 2026. The new clause also allows the Secretary of State to impose similar restrictions on the use of gifts made by overseas contributors and companies to incorporated associations maki... Full speech
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This new schedule would restrict the value of loans, or other similar benefits, that may be provided to registered parties during a calendar year by an individual who is an overseas elector or who has recently been resident outside the UK. It includes provision about pre-commencement transactions and transitional provision. - (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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(3) Any other person who receives the information from the Commission, whether directly or indirectly, must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of the Welsh Revenue Authority (which may be general or specific). Full speech
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“electoral register” means a register of parliamentary or local government electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Full speech
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(ii) in the case of a regulated transaction which is a connected transaction, a person who benefits from, or falls to benefit in consequence of, the regulated transaction, and Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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“(4A) The value of a donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
I will carry on for a second. We are not saying that 16-year-olds would be sent off to combat, nor would we be saying that the inconsistencies about the age of marriage carry on. In England and Wales, the legal age for marriage and civil partnerships is 18. Arranging a marriage for anyone under 18 is illegal. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022, passed by Parliament only four years ago, revoked the previous legal provision that allowed 16 and 17-year-olds to marry with pare... Full speech
I agree there are inconsistencies and we are trying to get them right. Unlike those on the Labour Benches, under whom unemployment always goes up every time they are in office, we want young people to get work experience and go to work. We have, for a long period of time, allowed driving at 17. But my goodness, those on the Labour Benches, for more inconsistency, would want it to go up! I am dealing with the matter at hand, which is voting for 18-year-olds. I am saying that for those on the Labo... Full speech
May I express my delight at my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) making it on to the Front Bench? She is going to do a fantastic job. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in this debate. I had 14 years in local government, and I was very involved in electoral administration in my area. So much of what we are talking about today involves the Elections Act. I was appointed to chair the Local Government Association working group that went through it,... Full speech
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(4) Subsection (5) applies in a case in which- Full speech
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‘(1ZA) Where a donation in cryptoassets is received by a registered party, all reasonable steps must be taken forthwith by or on behalf of the party to verify (or, in so far as any of the following is not apparent, ascertain) the identity of the donor and all such details in respect of the donor as are required by virtue of paragraph 6 of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation.’; Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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“(aa) the registered party receives notice of a change under section 71HD (notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector),”; Full speech
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(ii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
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(ii) after “money so spent”, in both places it occurs, insert “, or other property so transferred,”; Full speech
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(2) The Commission must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of Revenue Scotland (which may be general or specific). Full speech
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“(1) Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties and their Full speech
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(7) The power under subsection (2) includes power to provide that the amounts to be aggregated when determining whether the £100,000 cap on amounts contributed by overseas contributors is exceeded include gifts used by unincorporated associations for making political contributions. Full speech
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(iv) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
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(b) the Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/1024); Full speech
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(6) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, sub-paragraphs (2) and (4) are to be read as if- Full speech
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(2) The way in which the aggregate amount referred to in section 55B(1)(b) of PPERA 2000 (cap on donations by overseas contributors: aggregate amount of main donation and relevant previous contributions) is to be calculated is modified as follows. Full speech
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(a) has not been provided as required by the disclosure notice (either within the time specified in the notice for compliance or subsequently), Full speech
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“Scottish devolved matters” means matters provision about which would be within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament if it were contained in an Act of that Parliament; Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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(2) In section 52 (payments, services etc not to be regarded as donations), in subsection (2)(b), after ‘donation’ insert ‘other than a donation in cryptoassets (see section 55A(5)),’. Full speech
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(b) the individual is an overseas contributor. Full speech
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(a) there is an overseas contributor event in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction (the “main transaction”) to which a registered party (the “main participant”) is- Full speech
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(b) section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) and Schedules (Cap on donations to registered parties by overseas contributors: application and transitional provision) and (Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors) (cap on donations and loans etc made by overseas contributors), and Full speech
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(b) that transaction was first entered into before that date but first becomes a regulated transaction of a kind listed in paragraph 4(2)(a) or (c) of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000 on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500. Full speech
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(b) that transaction was first entered into before that date but first becomes a regulated transaction of a kind listed in paragraph 4(2)(a) or (c) of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000 on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500. Full speech
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(b) the regulated participant enters into a controlled transaction with P as an authorised participant, or Full speech
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(b) give details of any respects in which the declaration was found or suspected to be untruthful or inaccurate.” Full speech
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Regulated transactions that are void etc”. Full speech
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148F Information disclosed by Revenue Scotland Full speech
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“permitted participant in a Part 7 referendum” means a permitted participant as defined in section 105 of PPERA 2000, except that it does not include a registered party other than a minor party; Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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(3) Sub-paragraph (2) is subject to sub-paragraphs (4) and (6) (and see also paragraph 26). Full speech
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(b) in subsection (6), after “which” insert “must or”. Full speech
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(b) the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority; Full speech
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(i) is registered in an electoral register otherwise than in pursuance of such a declaration at that time, but Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the donation is received by the donee, not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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“the pre-commencement period” means the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending immediately before the commencement day; Full speech
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(7) Section 71J(2) to (6) and (9) apply with effect from the end of the period described in subsection (6)(c). Full speech
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“resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of RPA 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
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“(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision so as to achieve, in relation to relevant donations and relevant transactions, effects equivalent to the effects of the following provisions of this Act (which relate to donations and regulated transactions within the meaning of Parts 4 and 4A of PPERA 2000)- Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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(b) in subsection (9), before “or (b)” insert “, (ab)”. Full speech
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(a) where the event takes place on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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1B In relation to each recordable donation in the case of which a declaration under section 55D has been given, a quarterly or weekly report must- Full speech
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(7) Subsections (4) and (5) do not affect the pursuit of any remedy or the taking of any action in relation to a contravention of subsection (2) or (3). Full speech
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(a) in England and Wales, only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Full speech
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(i) that it was accepted or refused by its donee, Full speech
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(b) the references in sub-paragraph (3)(a), (b)(i) and (c)(i) to the individual being a particular type of overseas contributor at the time when the donation is received were references to the individual being that type of overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death, and Full speech
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(a) to produce, for inspection by the Commission or a person authorised by the Commission, any documents which- Full speech
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(c) section 60 and Schedule (Loans etc to registered parties by companies and LLPs) (restriction on donations and loans etc made by companies and LLPs). Full speech
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This amendment would ensure that, in determining whether a registered party has taken reasonable steps to verify or ascertain whether a company or LLP satisfies the significant control test, account is taken of a notice given under section 790LC of the Companies Act 2006 (duty to notify registrar of unconfirmed persons with significant control). Full speech
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(7) The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the definition of cryptoasset in subsection (6).’ Full speech
The Minister refers to crypto’s anonymity of source. Does she not agree that it is difficult to know what the attraction of crypto is, other than the fact it allows someone to hide where the money comes from? Why not just be straightforward and simply ban its use? Not a temporary ban or a moratorium-just ban it. Why cannot people simply give old-fashioned cash to support political parties? Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(c)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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This amendment would make an amendment to the significant control test in new section 54F of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 equivalent to that made to new section 54E by Amendment 72. Full speech
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(b) any express restriction on disclosure imposed by or under another enactment (ignoring any restriction which allows disclosure if authorised by an enactment). Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraphs (2)(a) and (3)(b) omit “(within the meaning of section 54)”; Full speech
I thank my right hon. Friend for making that important and valuable contribution. It is right that a number of amendments are seeking to limit donations originating from cryptoassets. We agree that the anonymity of crypto transactions creates a worrying route for illicit actors to channel money into our politics. This is an area that the Government are definitely keen to continue to review, ensuring that we end any unintended loopholes that may still arise. Full speech
I know the Minister has long supported changing the system of election to the House of Commons. The Prime Minister has also committed to it. Will the Minister confirm that the Government are actively considering changing the system from first past the post? Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for his intervention. Full speech
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(b) section 55D of PPERA 2000 (declaration by overseas contributor). Full speech
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16 In section 71X (construction of Part 4A), in subsection (1)- Full speech
My hon. Friend is making fantastic progress on protecting our democracy. On criminal convictions, as she will know, I have taken over amendment 4 from my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Jo White). It is about listing on registers of interests, once a candidate is elected as an MP or councillor, that they have undergone a Disclosure and Barring Service check. That would provide schools, care homes and women’s shelters with the clarity that they can feel safe with that person. Will the Minis... Full speech
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“relevant overseas donation” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 5A; Full speech
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“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.” Full speech
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(b) in the case of a regulated transaction within subsection (1D)(b), when the transaction is entered into; Full speech
As so many have said in this debate, our democracy must not be for sale, so it is disturbing that the campaign spending arms race is becoming out of control. As has been mentioned, in 2023 the previous cap on campaign spending of £19 million was increased massively to £34 million. None of our constituents was asked whether they wanted that, and the Electoral Commission said at the time that it had not seen evidence to justify the increase. We all know what can happen when campaign spending spira... Full speech
I welcome my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour to her place; she will make a fantastic Minister. I want to start by talking about the risks that we are seeing to our democracy: the emergence of AI and the use of crypto to fund parties, alongside an expanding electorate and a move away from the two-party system. It is vital that the Bill introduces a much-needed refresh. One area that the Bill has overlooked is electoral participation, which has been in stark decline for many years. At the l... Full speech
Before I turn to the substance of the Bill, may I take a moment to put on record how much I enjoyed serving on the Select Committee under the chairship of my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi)? I am proud of the work we did together, including on tackling rough sleeping and confronting Britain’s housing crisis. I know she will take that into government as she takes on her new role. New clause 56, standing in my name, concerns the implementation of automa... Full speech
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(d) are in the custody or control of the respondent. Full speech
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(b) confer power on the Secretary of State to make orders or regulations by statutory instrument, including power to amend, repeal or revoke an enactment; Full speech
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(f) donations to candidates at local elections in Northern Ireland, Full speech
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(a) lists the kinds of transaction which are “relevant overseas transactions”; Full speech
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(a) the whole debt (or all of the remaining debt) is repaid, or Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 101. Full speech
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(a) by virtue of the provisions and amendments listed in paragraph 2(1) (and only by virtue of those provisions and amendments), is a donation which a registered party is prohibited from accepting, and Full speech
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11 In section 71M (quarterly reports of regulated transactions)- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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(6) In this section, “personal information” means information relating to a person whose identity- Full speech
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(2) For the purposes of Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (regulation of loans and related transactions), the person giving the security wholly or partly in cryptoassets is to be treated as having ceased to be an authorised participant at the end of the transitional period.”- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
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1A (1) The Commission may give a disclosure notice under this paragraph to any person, except as mentioned in sub-paragraph (3). Full speech
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(4) A person who discloses personal information in contravention of subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence. Full speech
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(b) or a reference in this Part of this Act to a “relevant overseas donation”, except so far as the reference is to a donation of a kind listed in sub-paragraph (3)(a). Full speech
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(i) in paragraph (a) (before its amendment by section 10(2) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009), at the end insert “, subject to section 55B (cap on donations by overseas contributors)”; Full speech
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Court order for provision of information etc required by disclosure notice Full speech
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“the transitional period” means the period of 30 days beginning with the commencement day. Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3) of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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“treasurer” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act). Full speech
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(6) In section 62 (quarterly donation reports)- Full speech
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(e) a statement relating to such other matters as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Commission.”; Full speech
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“recognised third party” has the meaning given in section 85 of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(3) Where part of a donation received by a registered party is in cryptoassets, that part is to be regarded as a separate donation (and subsection (2) applies to it). Full speech
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(8) Subsections (4) to (6) do not affect the pursuit of any remedy or the taking of any action in relation to a contravention of subsection (2) or (3). Full speech
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“(9B) The treasurer or another officer of a registered party is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as a person who ought reasonably to have known that, by virtue of section 71HB(2) (cap on loans etc by overseas contributors), a particular individual who is an overseas contributor is not an authorised participant if- Full speech
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(a) the transaction is first entered into at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor and the individual is one of the original parties to the transaction, Full speech
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This amendment and Amendments 65 to 67 are consequential on Amendment 68. They would clarify from whom a relevant benefit must accrue in order for it to be aggregated under new subsections (1B) and (1C) of section 54 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Full speech
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(d) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, Northern Ireland legislation; Full speech
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(a) has received a declaration relating to the donation made in accordance with section 55D, and Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within section 50(2)(d) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
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(9) Schedule 6 (details to be given in donation reports) is amended as set out in subsections (10) to (14). Full speech
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“resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of RPA 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
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“regulated transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (see section 71X of that Act); Full speech
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(b) the value of each relevant overseas transaction described in subsection (1)(b) when the event takes place. Full speech
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5 (1) For the purposes of section 55C of PPERA 2000 (relevant previous contributions), a relevant overseas donation by an individual is a relevant previous contribution of the individual if (and only if) the donation is received by the donee on or after 25 March 2026. Full speech
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4 In section 71H (authorised participants), after subsection (3) (and before the subsection (3ZA) inserted by Schedule 6 to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009) insert- Full speech
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(a) included a notice given under section 790LC of the Companies Act 2006, and Full speech
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(3B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3A)(c), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration.” Full speech
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(a) give the date on which the registered party, before the transaction was entered into, inspected (or last inspected) the information delivered by the limited liability partnership to the registrar of companies under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that is available for public inspection, Full speech
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(ii) at the end insert “by the treasurer of the registered party”. Full speech
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(i) the condition in subsection (2ZA) (read with subsection (2ZB)) (tax residence), and Full speech
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(12) In paragraph 15(2) (reporting by Commission on use of investigatory powers)- Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3); Full speech
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(a) state that no reason was found to think that the declaration was untruthful or inaccurate, or Full speech
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(c) the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/67). Full speech
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1 (1) In this Part of this Act, “relevant overseas donation”, in relation to an individual, means a donation which- Full speech
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(c) in subsection (3), for “to the transaction” substitute “to a recorded transaction”; Full speech
I thank my right hon. Friend the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee-I know that the Committee has looked at this. The ban will apply retrospectively, ensuring that any donations made after 25 March 2026 will be returned. [ Official Report , 7 September 2026; Vol. 790, c. 6WC.] (Correction) As I mentioned earlier, we will continue to review the ban on cryptocurrency because this issue has cross-party support. We need to ensure that the money coming into our politics is clean and traceable. Full speech
The shadow Minister will be pleased to know that I agree with her on this point. I proudly represent my constituency of Harlow, and it is really important that I have that local accountability; that means a great deal to me. Does she agree that we need to take foreign interference in our electoral system really seriously? It is important that the be Bill be-as I believe it is-really solid, detailed and willing to make changes, because we recognise that malign influencers will do anything they ca... Full speech
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(5) In this paragraph, “connected transaction” has the same meaning as in paragraph 4 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000. Full speech
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(9E) In subsection (9C) “the relevant period”, in relation to a regulated transaction, means- Full speech
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way, and I offer my warmest congratulations to her on her appointment to the role; she will be a brilliant Minister. She will know that many in this House welcome the update to the legislation proposed by Ministers to ban cryptoassets, but she will also know that the measures that have been proposed by His Majesty’s Government do not go far enough. In particular, they still permit money to be routed through crypto exchanges, turned into fiat and then do... Full speech
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5 (1) Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (control of donations to accredited campaigners) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(iv) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
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(b) by virtue of the provisions and amendments listed in paragraph 21(1) (and only by virtue of those provisions and amendments), a party to the transaction is not an authorised participant. Full speech
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(a) if that person’s address is shown in an electoral register at the date given under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (3)(a) (as the case may be), that address, and Full speech
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(f) the date on which the declaration is made. Full speech
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“electoral register” means a register of parliamentary or local government electors maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983; Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 116. Full speech
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“(3A) The weekly report for a reporting period must also separately record every regulated transaction which the registered party enters into, during the reporting period, with an individual who, at the time it is entered into, is an overseas contributor, so far as that information is for the time being known to the party.”; Full speech
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(a) is of a kind listed in sub-paragraph (3), and Full speech
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“(iv) paragraph 7 of Schedule ( Meaning of “donation” ).”- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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(d) the terms of the transaction are varied so as to increase its value at a time when the individual is a party to the transaction and an overseas contributor. Full speech
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(b) the party enters into a regulated transaction with P as an authorised participant, or Full speech
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(a) the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards; Full speech
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(4B) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, subsection (4A) is to be read as referring to an individual who is an overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death (rather than when the donation is received).” Full speech
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New Clauses NC72 and NC116 and clause 60 (and the associated Schedules) impose prohibitions and restrictions on donations to, and transactions involving, registered political parties. This new Clause would confer power on the Secretary of State to impose equivalent or similar prohibitions and restrictions on other political donations, transactions and gifts. Full speech
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(g) donations to permitted participants at referendums in Scotland, and Full speech
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(b) in subsection (5), after “which” insert “must or”.”- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson. Full speech
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(a) the relevant overseas transaction was first entered into on or after 25 March 2026, or Full speech
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(d) the period described in section 71HD(3) expires without the registered party receiving both of the following from B- Full speech
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“resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
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(a) confer a power to make orders or regulations on the Secretary of State, or Full speech
In the five minutes you have allotted me, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will try to speak to my clauses 41 to 47 in my name, new clauses 82 and 83, which are now in my name-I put them in my name on behalf of the Education Secretary-and amendment 4, which I put in my name on behalf of the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Jo White). I thank the previous Ministers, my hon. Friends the Members for Bethnal Green and Stepney (Rushanara Ali) and for C... Full speech
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(iv) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
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(a) the individual is an overseas contributor when the donation is received by the registered party, and Full speech
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“(1) During the relevant period campaign material must not be promoted or published in a foreign language. Full speech
First, let me put on record my thanks to the Minister and her predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon), for their collective engagement so far on this Bill. As a former anti-corruption specialist for more than a decade and chair of the APPG on anti-corruption and responsible tax, I have had the pleasure of working with Members from across the House on this Bill in seeking to drive foreign interference, dirty money and undue influence out of our democra... Full speech
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(3) A relevant overseas donation by an individual which is received by the donee before the commencement day is a relevant previous contribution of the individual only in the following cases- Full speech
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(b) donations to recognised third parties, Full speech
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(a) list each relevant overseas donation in relation to the individual which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main donation; Full speech
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(b) the individual becomes registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, and Full speech
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(a) is a transaction described in paragraph 21(2)(a) or (b), and Full speech
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This amendment and amendment 141 would extend the maximum period of entitlement to an anonymous entry in a register of electors from three years to five years, in order to align with the maximum duration of postal voting or proxy postal voting arrangement (see amendments 147 to 150). Full speech
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(3) In section 55 (payments which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors), after subsection (6) insert- Full speech
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“the commencement day” means the day on which this Schedule comes into force; Full speech
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“retained pre-commencement cryptoasset donation” means a pre-commencement cryptoasset donation which- Full speech
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(d) in relation to each of those donations, state (as appropriate)- Full speech
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(b) the impact of the Elections Act 2022 on overseas voters; Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 1 (interpretation), at the end insert- Full speech
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(c) in sub-paragraph (4), after “information-disclosure order” insert “made under this paragraph”. Full speech
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(ii) the condition in paragraph (b)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, Full speech
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(b) the value of each relevant overseas transaction described in subsection (1)(b) when the main donation is received by the party. Full speech
Order. I will extend the time limit because we have gathered some time. Mark Sewards now has six minutes. Full speech
I start by paying tribute to the new Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi), for all the work she did on the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee on these issues. I know that she will do a brilliant job in this role. I also pay tribute to everyone who has played a part in this Bill to date, because for all our ambitions for the things we would like to change in the world, if the process by which we make those changes is not fair a... Full speech
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(4) A notice of a change described in subsection (2)(b) must state the date on which the individual ceased to be registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration. Full speech
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(ii) was, during all or part of the period beginning at the beginning of the previous calendar year and ending at the time in question, not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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(a) after the definition of “credit facility” insert- Full speech
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(1) This section applies where the Welsh Revenue Authority discloses information to the Commission under section 148B(1). Full speech
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‘(7) This section is subject to section 55A.’ Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 101. Full speech
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(7) The references in sub-paragraph (3) to a donation within the meaning of a Part or Schedule do not include a donation which is to be disregarded for the purposes of that Part or Schedule or to which that Part or Schedule does not apply. Full speech
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“regulated transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (see section 71X of that Act); Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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(b) the individual becomes registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration at a time when the individual is a party to the transaction, Full speech
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“registered party” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment NC76. Full speech
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(4) In relation to an overseas contributor event which takes place before the commencement day, those provisions and amendments have effect only in the following cases- Full speech
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(i) provision incorporating section 79 of the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847, Full speech
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(ii) for “an equivalent amount” substitute “an amount equal to the value of the donation”; Full speech
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This amendment would remove the requirement for a weekly donation report under section 63 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to include a declaration about the carrying out of a risk assessment in relation to donations accepted during the period of the report. Full speech
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(5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (4) to prove that the person reasonably believed- Full speech
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This new clause would require the Secretary of State to commission an independent review into increasing the registration and participation by overseas electors in UK parliamentary elections. Full speech
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(c) the Combined Authorities (Mayoral Elections) Order 2017 (S.I. 2017/67). Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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(c) references to the amount of a donation were references to the value of the transaction; Full speech
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(3) The notice must be received by the registered party before the end of the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the change takes place. Full speech
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“(ab) any declaration required to be made in respect of the donation by section 55D (overseas contributors) has not been received by the party; or”; Full speech
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(b) if so, whether that was by virtue of section 55B(2)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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(2) An individual is an overseas contributor at a time during a calendar year if- Full speech
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8 (1) Schedule 5 to the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1917) (control of donations to candidates at police and crime commissioner elections) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(1E) For the purposes of subsections (1B) and (1C), the relevant benefit accrues- Full speech
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(a) the individual’s full name and address; Full speech
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“(2A) In sub-paragraph (2), in the words before paragraph (a), after “disclosure notice” insert “under this paragraph”. Full speech
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1C (1) This paragraph applies where the Commission have given a disclosure notice under paragraph 1 or 1A requiring any information or explanation to be provided. Full speech
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(b) each transaction which is a relevant overseas transaction in relation to the individual when the event takes place. Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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(b) ending when the main donation is received by the registered party. Full speech
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This amendment and Amendments 117 to 119 are consequential on Amendment 121. They would clarify from whom a relevant controlled benefit must accrue in order for it to be aggregated under new paragraph 4(1B) and (1C) of Schedule 7A to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Full speech
I welcome my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi) to her place. She has taken on an immensely challenging role, but one that I am sure will bring her great joy. It is often said that a week is a long time in politics, and a year has been an extremely long time for this Bill. The evidence of that is the hefty number of amendments that have been tabled; as each political event moves on and people fall on their swords, more amendments come forward. I know tha... Full speech
I have given way many times on this point, and I would like to make some progress. The fundamental point about producing election literature in English or another language of the British Isles is that the public must be able to scrutinise what candidates are saying. We must put a stop to election literature in foreign languages once and for all. We have therefore tabled an amendment that would require that campaign material published during the regulated election period is not promoted or publis... Full speech
Order. I remind Members that discussion of an amendment that is not in scope and has not been selected, is not in scope. Full speech
I will speak in favour of new clause 88, tabled by the Liberal Democrats, which would require the Government to establish a royal commission on political donations and campaign expenditure. It would examine the case for a donations cap review and whether existing campaign spending limits remain effective, and would report back within 12 months. Crucially, it would take account of the modern flavours of old challenges, because money can now shape political debate through social media platforms, a... Full speech
My point is that in addressing amendments 69,70, 80, 120, 72 and 48, as I intend to, there is a context. Many of us believe that the world of two-party politics no longer exists, and we need a political system that supports what every other amendment and every other part of the Bill seeks to do. Full speech
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Government new clause 117 and Government amendment 100 introduce targeted regulation-making powers to allow key political finance restrictions introduced by the Bill to be extended where appropriate. As drafted, a number of the Bill’s provisions apply specifically to registered political parties. These include the restrictions relating to donations and regulated transactions involving cryptoassets, the cap on donations made by, and transactions involving, overseas electors, and restrictions on d... Full speech
I could not agree more. We have seen the difference that such a change has made at a local government level, where councillors’ home addresses are no longer in the public domain, and I certainly think it should be the same for all candidates. Returning to my point about the safety of candidates and those in elected office, I have tabled amendment 1 and new clause 6 to extend the existing protections beyond the candidates themselves and to their staff and families. Sadly, threats and intimidation... Full speech
I chair the all-party group on schools, learning and assessment, and we conducted an inquiry on votes at 16. We were speaking directly to young people, and they are delighted that the Bill will empower them with the vote. However, they are equally concerned about misinformation and disinformation, and having the tools that they need to engage in the democratic process. Does the Minister agree that that is a key issue, and that if we are to empower young people with the vote, we must also empower... Full speech
I know that many of my colleagues are keen to get in, so I will try to keep it under five minutes. I will speak specifically about amendments 31 and 34. When the Government brought forward this legislation, I was so pleased that they referenced enhanced “know your donor” checks, because before accepting donations from anyone all political parties should know who those donors are and where the money is coming from. We know that malign state actors are seeking to influence our politics. They often... Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon) for all her work on the Bill. I also welcome the Minister to her place. I will speak briefly to new clause 48, tabled in my name. I thank the many Members from across the House who have supported it and the Royal National Institute of Blind People for its assistance and support in drafting it. The Bill takes a significant step towards strengthening and protecting our democracy and extending the franchise. However, we... Full speech
I welcome the Minister to her position. I know that many people, not only on the Government side, but on the Opposition side of the House, will be delighted that she has been made a Minister. Can I just challenge her a bit further, or ask for her guidance, on the moratorium point? The Government intend for the Electoral Commission to have strengthened powers to try to tackle the regulatory regime that will be created by the moratorium, but does the Minister not share my concern that if those res... Full speech
I join others in warmly welcoming the Democracy Minister to her place. I know that the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee will miss her excellent chairing, but it is great to have such a strong ally on these issues in Government. We have returned to this place after a summer when barely a day has gone by without another political funding scandal on the front pages. As the previous speaker referred to, there have been accusations of impermissible foreign donations, undeclared don... Full speech
I applaud the Government’s ambitions in this Bill and the fact that they want to fix politics and for it to be fair and free from foreign interference. There is much to be enthusiastic about in the Bill, although in the five minutes I have been given to speak, I cannot go through it all. This might be the only such legislation that we have before the next general election, and I believe that it is incumbent upon us to prepare ourselves and our constitution for the possibility, God forbid, that a... Full speech
I will move on to my amendments, Madam Deputy Speaker. Amendment 15 seeks to ban all corporate donations. Donations from companies are banned in France and Canada, among many other countries. According to research conducted by CenTax, about a quarter of donor companies are so opaque that it is not possible to identify who controls them, and almost £1 in every £10 given by companies comes, indirectly, from people who could not make donations themselves. This is a loophole in our politics. The Bil... Full speech
Will the shadow Secretary of State give way? Full speech
When I have finished this point, I will give way. It should terrify all of us that election material in our country is being produced in a foreign language and designed to drum up support among a particular religious community. Not only does this contribute to a culture of group-based grievance politics, but it makes it impossible for the vast majority of the British public to scrutinise what candidates are saying. Full speech
It is a real pleasure to see this Bill back on the Floor of the House. I pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Chester North and Neston (Samantha Dixon) for her work on the Bill-it was a pleasure to serve with her in Committee-and I congratulate the Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith, my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green (Florence Eshalomi), on her appointment. As was acknowledged on Second Reading, there are significant concerns about the p... Full speech
Just to develop the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee’s theme, the Minister is taking some steps to control foreign contributions and donations to politics, but why not just ban them? She touched herself on the malign influence of people who would seek to offshore their tax liabilities-not contributing to the business of Government-and then, from some offshore location, direct that Government in how to spend that money, which they will not be subject to the consequences of, and neither will... Full speech
What consideration did the hon. Member give to extending his proposed amendment to trade unions, which-a neutral observer might conclude-gave very large sums of money to the Labour party precisely to influence the Employment Rights Bill that it has now turned into law? Full speech
Public faith in our democratic system has been steadily eroded. My hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Ms Creasy) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds) provided some statistics on public opinion, and I will provide a few more. More than half of the public believe that politicians almost always lie, while only one in eight believe that we put the national interest above party advantage. That level of disillusionment did not emerge overnight. Broken promises, di... Full speech
I do not want to anger Madam Deputy Speaker, with whom I have served not just here but in other democratic forums, but my hon. Friend is absolutely right. The number of Members who signed new clause 31 shows the amount of support there is for this in the House; it reflects how many Members support change. I understand that this issue is not in scope of the Bill, but I trust our Prime Minister, who has long been supportive on this issue. Full speech
At the 2024 general election, just 52% of overseas postal ballots were returned in time to be counted. That is a shocking systemic failure of our democratic process. It means that nearly half of all overseas electors who took the time to register, requested a ballot and tried to exercise their democratic right were effectively disenfranchised by international mail delays. As Members of this House, our fundamental duty is to maximise participation in the democratic system we are privileged to rep... Full speech
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I was speaking in relation to the title of the Bill. Full speech
Does my hon. Friend agree with me and the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Dr Chowns) that it does not require legislation for the Government to set up a commission to look at electoral systems? Full speech
Order. Will the hon. Member please remember to keep her speech within the scope of what is currently before us? Full speech
It is welcome that the Government have asked the Electoral Commission to look at spending limits. I love a task-and-finish group almost as much as I love a taskforce or a sub-committee, but will the Minister put a little more meat on the bones, and say what she is doing on donation caps, specifically on timing, and on whether things will be in place ahead of the next general election? I would not want a Member to press for a separate Division on an amendment because there was not enough meat on ... Full speech
Our proposal is clearly intended to be one rule for everybody. The Conservative party position is that all election literature should be produced in the languages of this country. Full speech
Thank you for calling me so early, Madam Deputy Speaker. Without wanting to upset you, I was going to talk about new clause 31. I will keep my comments on that to a minimum for fear of upsetting you. Full speech
On that point, will the hon. Gentleman give way? Full speech
I thank the hon. Gentleman and refer him to my previous statement on this area. Full speech
I thank the hon. Member for prior notice of her point of order. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the Chair, I am not responsible for the content of speeches of Members, Secretaries of States or shadow Secretaries of State. It is up to them to be responsible for the content of their speeches. The shadow Secretary of State may wish to respond as I notice that she is in the Chamber. We do not wish to prolong the debate, but a quick response would suffice. Full speech
I do not wish to prolong the debate but both points have been put on the record. I will leave it there. Full speech
Polling station volunteers reporting what they have seen in their polling stations is evidence. It is not for us to decide what is appropriate to discuss in this Chamber. It is for us to talk about it, and for the public to decide. They can see this, and it was very well reported at the time. Family voting is a direct assault on two important principles. The first is that each and every voter must be able to cast their ballot on the basis of their individual beliefs and interests. The second is ... Full speech
It is clear from this debate that the public have lost trust in politics and the political process, and that is linked to them seeing money have an undue influence on the decisions that politicians make. In 2015, just 1% of private donations came from individuals or companies giving £1 million or more. By 2024, that figure had risen to over a third. We have seen the obscene amounts of money that some MPs have made doing second-or even third and fourth-jobs while they are supposed to be represent... Full speech
I need to make progress. I have a number of areas and amendments to cover, and many Members want to comment in the debate. Overseas electors and those who fall under the minimum residency period will be required to provide a declaration of any necessary information to the recipient to enable them to check whether the donation is permissible. This declaration must be provided before the donation can be accepted. The cap will apply UK-wide and will operate consistently across the political finance... Full speech
No, I am not going to give way. It is their right to support a political cause in their own country, where they are registered to vote and of which they are citizens. It is absolutely wrong to traduce them in that way. Some suggest that the Bill will restore trust in politics, which is exactly what is needed, but what they mean is restore trust in the class of politicians and in the political parties that have got us into the mess that we are in- [ Interruption ] - including, I am afraid to say,... Full speech
I absolutely agree. From my work in the 1997 election I know that Mencap has looked extensively at the issue of accessible information for people with learning disabilities. In conclusion, I ask the Minister to place on record the Government’s commitment to dealing with this issue once and for all when the Bill moves to the other place, and to ensuring that blind and partially sighted voters are able to make their own choice, mark their own ballot and know that their vote is their own. Full speech
I am reluctant even to mention this, because all the Members here are so highly experienced, but when mentioning another Member in the Chamber, the etiquette is to give them prior warning, so that they have an opportunity to offer a rebuttal in real time. I am looking for Luke Akehurst, but he is not here, so he has missed his turn. Full speech
Is it Conservative party policy to reverse the votes for 16 and 17-year-olds in Scotland? Every single piece of evidence that we can point to suggests that engaging 16 and 17-year-olds makes them better citizens. Does the right hon. Lady seriously want to undermine that? Full speech
Seeing as this is my amendment, I think I am allowed to intervene to speak on it. I welcome the shadow Secretary of State to her position, and I know she will agree that the reason why we tabled this amendment was that the Green party’s leaflet said, “Punish the Labour party for Gaza-vote Green.” It has every right to say that, although I would argue that it is divisive, but can I assist the shadow Secretary of State by saying, in response to the hon. Member for North Durham (Luke Akehurst), tha... Full speech
I thank the right hon. Lady for giving way. The shadow Secretary of State made a defence of the right for overseas electors to vote based simply on their citizenship. Why, when someone who does not live in this country can vote based on their citizenship, does the right hon. Lady argue that a 16-year-old with the same citizenship rights who lives here and contributes should not? Full speech
I rise to speak to my new clause 22, to stop oil and gas companies donating to political parties. The context is the extreme heat; there were tens of thousands of heat-related deaths in Europe alone this summer, as well as dangerous wildfires and the droughts. All these things give us a terrifying glimpse of what climate breakdown means, and they underline just how dangerous it is to deny climate breakdown or delay the action needed to tackle it. The reality is that climate breakdown will shape ... Full speech
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, for confirming that the Government are putting forward a piece of legislation written in such a way that it prohibits proportional representation and fairer votes from being discussed on the Floor of the House. We need to fix our politics so that we can get on with fixing the things we need to fix in our country, so we will support the Bill as a step forward. However, a step is not the final destination. Until this House finds the courage to give people a Parliam... Full speech
No, I have only got two minutes. Come on! People should just pay their taxes and get involved. New clause 86 proposes that a donor would have to be a total citizen. It is not enough to come back to Britain and go, “Oh well, I’m here now. I’m going to pay a little bit of tax because there are various tax dodges and I can do that.” No, they have to be here paying their full whack of taxes, and then they can make donations to political parties. If they care so much about Britain and about democracy... Full speech
I thank the Lib Dem spokesperson. I cannot stand here and unilaterally write the terms of reference for the taskforce, but I would be happy to discuss with her at a later stage what the taskforce would entail. She also spoke about voter registration provisions. We will move towards more automated voter registration, but that takes time. We hope to use existing powers or non-legislative approaches as part of that. The Government fully recognise the challenges posed by AI-generated content, includ... Full speech
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. The Bill strengthens our elections and takes a stand against hostile actors at home and abroad who seek to threaten them. It extends the franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds and automates voter registration. It protects candidates and officers, and introduces new, tougher rules around political donations. The legislation reflects the commitments made in our strategy for modern and secure elections, which I published as Secretary of State in Ju... Full speech
I want to make some progress. Government new clause 78 strengthens information-sharing provisions already in the Bill by establishing a reciprocal statutory gateway between the Electoral Commission and relevant public authorities. We have carefully considered recommendation 9 of the review, and we agree that if we are to expect the commission to regulate political finance effectively and respond to the emerging risk, it must be able to receive relevant information from the bodies it works alongs... Full speech
No, I will not. The second implicit principle that we now need to bring to the surface is that we are one country, speaking a common language, taking part in a single election concerning matters about our country. That means election materials printed in English and the other native languages of the British isles. That might feel like a small thing or a petty one, but it is an important principle. How can we integrate genuinely? How can we bring our divided country together if we do not do our d... Full speech
I thank my hon. Friend for making that important contribution. It is right that we look at the range of different requirements placed on candidates. My understanding is that some people, such as local councillors, are required to have DBS checks, but again, as many hon. Members have noted, there is no such requirement for us as parliamentarians; that is something that we need to test and look at further. I can continue to work with her and other interested Members on looking at this area. New cl... Full speech
I rise to speak to amendments 49 to 55 and amendments 56 to 62 to clause 1, which are in my name, and in support of amendments 6 to 12 to clause 1 in the name of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Leicestershire (Mr Bedford). Through the Bill, the Government have taken inconsistency to a new level. In their desire to give votes to 16-year-olds, they are bringing more confusion to the legal age of adulthood. In one breath they are giving votes to 16-year-olds, yet at the same time in another piece... Full speech
I thank the hon. Member for his intervention, and I understand his point, but it is a deep, frightening and fundamental problem if we have people in this country who cannot operate in the shared language of our nation. I understand what he is saying, but there are two possible ways to deal with that problem, and I believe that the one he is suggesting will ultimately be deleterious to our nation and our democracy. We must make a choice-I think that is part of the point he is making-and I am maki... Full speech
The Representation of the People Bill makes much-needed changes that I am very pleased to support. The Bill, and the Government amendments we are discussing, show that this Government are taking protecting our democracy seriously. Government new clause 72 would introduce a ban on donations using cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is unregulated and untraceable money, and we are right to take it out of our democracy. The amendment would place a moratorium on those donations-a non-permanent ban-until ... Full speech
I am grateful to the right hon. Lady for giving way. I can see that she is clearly opposed to this measure. I remind her that about nine years ago she and I debated at Wilmslow high school. I remember she made a clear commitment then to the students that she would support giving them the vote at 16. Full speech
I remind the House that this business has to conclude by 8.3 pm, and that the shadow Front-Bench team may wish to speak on it. Full speech
Listening to the debate, I think part of the problem is that the Bill is being brought forward in an enormous transitional period. Some of its original objectives might be being met within the legislation that we are proposing, but the debate has moved on since then. We also have to admit that the debate has moved on within the Labour party because the change of leadership. So in some instances, we might not be talking to this Bill; we might be debating what we want to see in the next Bill, whic... Full speech
Yes, that is right. Things are changing continually. The Bill goes against the age of adulthood, with lawmakers raising the minimum age for many different things. As a country we collectively agree that the age of 18 is adulthood, and with that come rights and responsibilities, and things we can and cannot do. Once we reach the age of 18, an individual can stand for election to this House, make decisions about their own medical treatment, enter into binding financial agreements, and buy cigarett... Full speech
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(2) The matters which the review must consider shall include, but shall not be limited to- Full speech
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(e) in the case of a donation falling within section 50(2)(f) (provision of property etc for use or benefit), the property provided for the use or benefit of the party is cryptoassets. Full speech
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(c) the party enters into a transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(a) with another person and that other person enters into a regulated transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(b) (a “connected transaction”) with P as an authorised participant. Full speech
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Donee-specific cap for certain pre-commencement donations Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the donation is received, not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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Application of requirements for notices and declarations Full speech
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(c) where it is being determined what a person ought reasonably to have known when the terms of the transaction were varied as described in section 71F(9A), the period of 30 days ending with the day before the day on which its terms were so varied; Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 71HB(4) and (5) of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(1DA) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1B) and (1C), the relevant controlled benefit accrues- Full speech
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“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1983.” Full speech
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(e) a person listed in subsection (7) (parliamentary bodies and officers); Full speech
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(b) the information showed (or appeared to show) that, as at the time of inspection, one of conditions A to D in section 54E was met in relation to the company, or (as the case may be) one of conditions A to D in section 54F was met in relation to the limited liability partnership, and Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
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“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 55B(2) and (3) of PPERA 2000 (inserted by section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) of this Act); Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(d), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration. Full speech
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(2) In section 80 (registered parties: returns as to campaign expenditure)- Full speech
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(a) a regulated transaction first entered into on or after 25 March 2026, or Full speech
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(1) This section applies only in cases in which neither section 71I nor section 71J applies. Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(a) the restrictions in sections 148D to 148F (information disclosed by revenue authorities), and Full speech
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(c) whether the individual is an overseas contributor at the time of the declaration event by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), and Full speech
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(c) the transaction becomes a regulated transaction by virtue of a variation of its terms at a time when the individual is a party to the transaction and an overseas contributor, or Full speech
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(1) This section applies where Revenue Scotland discloses information to the Commission under section 148B(1). Full speech
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(a) each relevant overseas donation made by the individual which was received by its donee during the relevant portion of the calendar year, and Full speech
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(b) a declaration event described in section 71HE(2)(a) or (c) (event involving overseas contributor) takes place in relation to an individual (B) and a regulated transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(b) (“the connected transaction”) to which A is a party, and Full speech
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(a) in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 64. Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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(b) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 11 to PPERA 2000 to a recognised third party; Full speech
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(d) subsection (3)(b) and (c) referred to the time of the individual’s death, rather than the time when the main donation is received; Full speech
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(j) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 3A to the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) to a candidate at a local election in Northern Ireland; Full speech
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“(8A) A transaction report for a reporting period must also separately record every regulated transaction which the registered party enters into, during the reporting period, with an individual who, at the time it is entered into, is an overseas contributor.”; Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on amendment 126. Full speech
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“registered party” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(b) in Northern Ireland, only by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland. Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(c)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules)- Full speech
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“permitted participant in a Scottish referendum” means a permitted participant as defined in paragraph 2 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2); Full speech
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“relevant overseas transaction” has the meaning given in Part 2 of Schedule 5A; Full speech
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(b) is received by its donee at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor. Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
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(i) the donation is received on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
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(c) in the case of a connected transaction within sub-paragraph (1D)(c), when the connected transaction is entered into.” Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration. Full speech
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(b) Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000 (as inserted by section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) of this Act and applied for the purposes of Part 4A of that Act), and Full speech
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(b) whether the declaration is required by virtue of subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c); Full speech
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(a) is a declaration event in relation to a regulated transaction described in paragraph 21(2)(a) or (b), and Full speech
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(b) an officer listed in subsection (2) (officers involved in elections etc); Full speech
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(2B) In sub-paragraph (3), in the words before paragraph (a), at the beginning insert “For the purposes of this paragraph,”. Full speech
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(b) has not been dealt with during the pre-commencement period in accordance with section 56(2) of PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(c)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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(a) beginning at the beginning of the calendar year, and Full speech
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(c) subsection (3)(a) required the declaration to include P’s full name and address as well as the individual’s full name and the individual’s address at the time of their death; Full speech
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(a) give the date on which the registered party, before the transaction was entered into, inspected (or last inspected) the information delivered by the company to the registrar of companies under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that is available for public inspection, Full speech
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(a) that the person took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that the campaign material was not promoted or published contrary to subsection (1), and Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment NC76. Full speech
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7 In section 71K (transfer to unauthorised participant invalid), for the words from “who” to the end substitute “who- Full speech
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5 Until the coming into force of section (Meaning of “donation”), section 55A of PPERA 2000 has effect as if subsection (5)(d) were omitted.”- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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11 (1) Section 69 of PPERA 2000 (register of recordable donations) applies in relation to donations reported to the Electoral Commission under paragraph 10 of this Schedule as it applies in relation to donations reported to them under Chapter 3 of Part 4 of that Act. Full speech
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(2) The way in which the aggregate amount referred to in section 71HB(1)(b) of PPERA 2000 (cap on loans etc by overseas contributors: aggregate amount of main transaction and relevant previous contributions) is to be calculated is modified as follows. Full speech
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(3) For the purposes of this section, there is an overseas contributor event in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction if- Full speech
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(6) References in this paragraph to provisions of the Companies Act 2006 are, in relation to a limited liability partnership, references to those provisions as applied or incorporated (with modifications) by regulations under section 15 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000. Full speech
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28 (1) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) apply in a case in which, during the pre-commencement period- Full speech
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(c) in the case of a donation falling within section 50(2)(c) (payments of subscriptions etc), the payment of the subscription or fee is made using cryptoassets; Full speech
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(i) after “spent” insert “, or other property so transferred,”; Full speech
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“registered party” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(1) Where a donation by an individual (the “main donation”) is received by a registered party in a calendar year, the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main donation are- Full speech
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This amendment would clarify how the aggregation provision in new paragraph 4(1B) and (1C) of Schedule 7A to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 operates where there is a connected transaction within that Schedule. Full speech
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(b) the party enters into a regulated transaction with P as an authorised participant, or Full speech
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“Court order for provision of information etc required for investigation of suspected offences or contraventions”. Full speech
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(a) section (Donations etc in cryptoassets) and Schedules (Donations in cryptoassets: transitional provision) and (Regulated transactions involving cryptoassets) (prohibition of donations in, and certain transactions involving, cryptoassets), Full speech
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(i) in the words before paragraph (a), after “information-disclosure order” insert “under this paragraph”; Full speech
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(c) where that was so by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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(a) a registered party and another person (A) are parties to a transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(a), Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment NC76. Full speech
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(i) omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (b); Full speech
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(4) The treasurer of the registered party must deliver the report to the Electoral Commission before the end of the period of 60 days beginning with the commencement day. Full speech
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“Participants who are overseas contributors Full speech
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(a) subsection (1ZA) required all reasonable steps to be taken as soon as reasonably practicable after the commencement of section (Donations etc in cryptoassets); Full speech
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(a) in the case of a controlled donation, when it is accepted; Full speech
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(10) For provision about determining the value of relevant overseas donations and relevant overseas transactions, see paragraphs 2 and 5 of Schedule 5A. Full speech
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(3) Section 71I(4) of PPERA 2000 (application by Electoral Commission for court order) has effect as if it referred to a case in which money is not (for whatever reason) repaid as mentioned in subsection (3)(a) of that section before the end of the period of 60 days beginning with the commencement day. Full speech
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(a) in subsection (3), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(2) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to sub-paragraph (3). Full speech
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(6) Sections 50 to 52 (meaning of “donation”) do not apply for the purposes of- Full speech
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“connected transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (see section 71F(9) of that Act); Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (4) insert- Full speech
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(2) For the purposes of section 69 of PPERA 2000 (as applied by sub-paragraph (1)), details given in a report in accordance with paragraph 3(3) of this Schedule are to be treated as having been given under the relevant paragraph of Schedule 6 to PPERA 2000. Full speech
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“Sharing of information between Commission and public authorities Full speech
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2 In section 71H (authorised participants), after subsection (3ZA) (inserted by Schedule 6 to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009) insert- Full speech
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14 In section 71Q (weekly transaction reports during general election periods)- Full speech
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(ii) benefits from or falls to benefit in consequence of a connected transaction, and Full speech
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and such regulations may not be made unless a draft of the instrument containing them has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.””- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
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(b) in paragraph (d), after “paragraph” insert “1B, 1C,”.”- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
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(b) takes place on or after the commencement day. Full speech
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(c) the amendments made by paragraphs 4, 7 and 16 of this Schedule. Full speech
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(a) impose prohibitions and restrictions on the use by unincorporated associations of gifts for the purposes of making political contributions which are similar to the prohibitions and restrictions imposed on the acceptance of donations by the following provisions of this Act- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 116. Full speech
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“(1ZB) In so far as subsection (1) requires steps to be taken to verify or ascertain whether, in relation to a donation to a registered party from an individual, the cap in section 55B(1)(b) is exceeded, the requirement is to be treated as having been complied with if the party- Full speech
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“accredited campaigner” has the same meaning as in Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see paragraph 1 of that Schedule); Full speech
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27 (1) This paragraph applies in relation to a transaction which- Full speech
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(a) a controlled transaction within the meaning of Schedule 7A to PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(c) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament; Full speech
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(4) This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed by the Commission apart from this section. Full speech
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1B In relation to each recordable transaction in the case of which a declaration under section 71HE has been given, a quarterly report must- Full speech
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(6) Subsection (7) applies in a case in which- Full speech
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(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(d)(iii), where an individual- Full speech
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(e) the date on which the declaration is made. Full speech
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(12) In paragraph 2 (identity of donors: quarterly reports)- Full speech
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(i) after “money spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
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(a) which was entered into in the pre-commencement period, and Full speech
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(2) Any proposals made under this section must specify that the Royal Commission should publish its recommendations for a cap on political donations within twelve months of being established. Full speech
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(1F) In subsections (1D) and (1E), “authorised participant” and “regulated transaction” have the same meaning as in Part 4A (see section 71X).” Full speech
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(15) In Schedule 20 to PPERA 2000 (penalties), at the appropriate place insert- Full speech
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(3) The independent review must report within six months of the passing of this Act and be laid before Parliament.”- (Katie Lam.) Full speech
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(8) In this paragraph, “connected transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (see section 71F(9) of that Act). Full speech
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(c) paragraph 6 (donations from impermissible donors). Full speech
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(1B) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1A)(c), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration. Full speech
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(b) in sub-paragraph (3), at the beginning insert “For the purposes of this paragraph,”; Full speech
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Application of quarterly reporting obligations Full speech
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(3) Disclosure under subsection (1) does not contravene any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed), including any duty of confidence. Full speech
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(a) a donation within the meaning of this Part of this Act to a registered party; Full speech
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(b) where it is being determined what a person ought reasonably to have known when the transaction became a regulated transaction as described in section 71F(5), the period of 30 days ending with the day before the day on which the transaction so became a regulated transaction; Full speech
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(4) Where, as a result of subsection (2), a registered party is prohibited from accepting a donation, the party must act in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b) (whichever is relevant in the circumstances). Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 31 (donations: general rules), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”. Full speech
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(8) In the italic heading before paragraph 6, after “paragraph” insert “1B or”. Full speech
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(6) Where the regulated transaction mentioned in subsection (1)(a) is a loan, in determining (in accordance with section 71G) the value of the transaction at the time of an overseas contributor event, the total amount to be lent under the loan agreement is to be treated as reduced by the amount of any repayments that have been made of the principal of the loan. Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on Amendment 74. Full speech
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29 (1) The treasurer of a registered party must prepare a report in respect of the pre-commencement period. Full speech
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(c) in subsection (6), after “71N(1)” insert “, (2A)”. Full speech
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(4) The persons mentioned in subsection (1)(c) are- Full speech
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(2) Before the italic heading before section 149 insert- Full speech
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(a) record each relevant pre-commencement donation which was received by the registered party during the pre-commencement period, or Full speech
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22 (1) Section 71HD of PPERA 2000 (notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector) has effect only in relation to a change described in subsection (2) of that section which- Full speech
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(a) the value of each relevant overseas donation described in subsection (1)(a), and Full speech
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(a) have not been produced as required by the disclosure notice (either within the time specified in the notice for compliance or subsequently), Full speech
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(a) where it is received on or after 25 March 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) of PPERA 2000 (overseas elector); Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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(a) whether the individual was an overseas contributor at the time the donation was received by the registered party; Full speech
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3 (1) Schedule 15 to PPERA 2000 (control of donations to permitted participants) is amended as follows. Full speech
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(a) the individual becomes a party to the transaction (either when it is first entered into or later) at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor, Full speech
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“recognised third party” has the meaning given in section 85; Full speech
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(i) section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) (cap on donations made by overseas contributors), and Full speech
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“Welsh devolved matters” means matters provision about which would be within the legislative competence of Senedd Cymru if it were contained in an Act of the Senedd (ignoring any requirement for the consent of a Minister of the Crown imposed under Schedule 7B to the Government of Wales Act 2006).”- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
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(f) a relevant donation within the meaning of Part 5 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2) to a permitted participant in a Scottish referendum; Full speech
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“foreign language” means a native language of any foreign country outside the British Islands, other than English; Full speech
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(a) a government department (including a Northern Ireland department); Full speech
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(18) Schedule ( Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors ) to this Act makes amendments relating to loans to, and related transactions with, registered parties (including provision about application and transitional provision).”- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
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(iii) after “paid” insert “, or the other property is transferred,”. Full speech
Speaker
(d) references to the calendar year in which a donation is received were references to the calendar year in which the relevant occurrence in question falls. Full speech
Speaker
(b) in subsection (4), after “spent”, in both places it occurs, insert “or other property so transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
(3F) In the case of a donation in the form of a bequest, sub-paragraph (3D)(a) applies as if it referred to the time of the individual’s death, rather than the time when the donation was received.” Full speech
Speaker
(i) the event takes place on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
Speaker
(a) the regulated participant accepts a controlled donation (within the meaning of paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 7) from P as a donor, Full speech
Speaker
(a) the references to receipt of a donation on or after 25 March 2026 or 6 July 2026 were references to receipt on or after that date of a donation in the form of a bequest from an individual who died on or after that date, Full speech
Speaker
(4) In section 120 (permitted participants: returns as to referendum expenses)- Full speech
Speaker
(c) where, at that time, the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 55B(2)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom; Full speech
Speaker
(c) state the value of each donation described in paragraph (a) or (b); Full speech
Speaker
(3) In relation to a donation received by a registered party before the commencement day, a relevant overseas transaction to which an individual is a party is a relevant previous contribution of the individual only in the following cases- Full speech
Speaker
(11) In paragraph 14(1) (guidance by Commission)- Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the condition in paragraph (c)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, Full speech
Speaker
(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
Speaker
(b) makes provision about determining the value of such donations. Full speech
Speaker
(a) in subsection (1)(a), after ‘donation’ insert ‘, other than a donation in cryptoassets,’; Full speech
Speaker
(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2)(d) a document is under a person’s control if it is in the person’s possession or if the person has a right to possession of it. Full speech
Speaker
(b) in sub-paragraph (3), at the beginning insert “For the purposes of this paragraph,”; Full speech
Speaker
(a) an individual and a registered party are parties to a regulated transaction, Full speech
Speaker
(iv) fell within sub-paragraph (i), (ii) or (iii) at any time subsequent to the person’s registration in pursuance of the overseas elector’s declaration;”.”- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
Speaker
(a) the individual becoming registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration, or Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment NC76. Full speech
Speaker
(b) paragraph 2(3A) and (3B) (inserted by paragraph 18(4)(c) of this Schedule) (authorised participant’s status as overseas contributor); Full speech
Speaker
(3ZD) In determining (in accordance with section 71G) the value, at the time of a relevant occurrence, of a regulated transaction which is a loan, the total amount to be lent under the loan agreement is to be treated as reduced by the amount of any repayments that have been made of the principal of the loan.” Full speech
Speaker
(i) that it was accepted or refused by its donee, Full speech
Speaker
“(9A) The amounts required to be deducted under step 2 in subsection (2) and step 3 in subsection (3), in calculating the amount of a person’s remaining available profits at the time of a donation’s receipt, do not include the value of a regulated transaction that, at that time- Full speech
Speaker
Donations to permitted participants at referendums in Scotland Full speech
Speaker
(6) In Schedule 6 (details to be given in donation reports), in paragraph 6- Full speech
Speaker
6 (1) For the purposes of section 55C of PPERA 2000 (relevant previous contributions), a relevant overseas transaction to which an individual is a party is a relevant previous contribution of the individual in relation to a donation if (and only if)- Full speech
Speaker
(5) Section 65(6) and (7) of PPERA 2000 (forfeiture of donation) apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a failure to comply with a requirement referred to in section 65(6) of that Act. Full speech
Speaker
(9D) For the purposes of subsection (9C)(c) the registered party is to be treated as having reasonable grounds for so thinking if, at the time of inspection, the information referred to in subsection (9C)(a)- Full speech
Speaker
(11) A statutory instrument containing (whether alone or with other provision) regulations under subsection (1), (2) or (9) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament. Full speech
Speaker
members etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (14). Full speech
Speaker
Donations which are relevant previous contributions Full speech
Speaker
(b) in the case of a regulated transaction within subsection (1D)(b), when the transaction is entered into; Full speech
Speaker
(c) is reasonably required by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out their functions, and Full speech
Speaker
This new Schedule would make transitional provision in relation to donations affected by the changes in the law made by NC72. Full speech
Speaker
(ii) was, during all or part of the period beginning at the beginning of the previous calendar year and ending at the time in question, not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
Speaker
(iii) section 154 of the Port of London Act 1968 (c. xxxii). Full speech
Speaker
(a) record any change described in section 71N(1)(a) to (c) or (2A) in relation to the transaction which takes place during the pre-commencement period, or Full speech
Speaker
“(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsections (2) and (3). Full speech
Speaker
“the Revenue and Customs” has the meaning given by section 17(3) of the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005.” Full speech
Speaker
(9) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest from an individual, this section is to be read as if- Full speech
Speaker
(b) in the case of a relevant overseas transaction which is a connected transaction, a person who benefits from, or falls to benefit in consequence of, the relevant overseas transaction. Full speech
Speaker
(2) Sub-paragraph (1) is subject to sub-paragraph (3). Full speech
Speaker
(b) the event takes place in a case in which the conditions in paragraph 21(4)(d) (read with sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) of that paragraph) are met. Full speech
Speaker
(3) Any other person who receives the information from the Commission, whether directly or indirectly, must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of Revenue Scotland (which may be general or specific). Full speech
Speaker
(8) Subsection (9) applies in a case in which- Full speech
Speaker
“regulated donee” has the meaning given in paragraph 1 of Schedule 7 to PPERA 2000; Full speech
Speaker
“(3C) Where the security given under a connected transaction is wholly or partly in cryptoassets, the person giving the security is to be regarded as a person who is not an authorised participant. Full speech
Speaker
(iv) the relevant overseas transaction was first entered into on or after 6 July 2026 or that transaction was first entered into before that date but first becomes a regulated transaction of a kind listed in paragraph 4(2)(a) or (c) of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000 on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500. Full speech
Speaker
(a) subsection (2) of that section required the steps mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (b) of that subsection (whichever are relevant) to be taken before the end of the period of 60 days beginning with the commencement day (rather than the period of 30 days beginning with the date when the donation is received by the party); Full speech
Speaker
(4) A relevant overseas transaction which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main transaction is to be counted only if, when the overseas contributor event takes place, the main participant is- Full speech
Speaker
(a) paragraph (ab) of section 54(1) of PPERA 2000 (permissible donors: failure to provide declaration under section 55D of that Act); Full speech
Speaker
(a) as a result of the amendments of Part 4 of PPERA 2000 made by section (Donations etc in cryptoassets) (and only as a result of those amendments), is a donation which a registered party is prohibited from accepting, and Full speech
Speaker
(b) investigating failures to comply with an enactment or rule of law; Full speech
Speaker
3 (1) The following provisions and amendments have effect only in relation to a donation received by a registered party on or after the commencement day- Full speech
Speaker
(b) that the information had already lawfully been made available to the public. Full speech
Speaker
“connected transaction” has the meaning given in, as appropriate- Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the donation is received; Full speech
Speaker
(a) in section 50(2)(d), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules)- Full speech
Speaker
(a) the individual is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration at that time, or Full speech
Speaker
(i) in the words before sub-paragraph (i), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
18 (1) Schedule 6A (details to be given in transaction reports) is amended as follows. Full speech
Speaker
(iii) that the individual does not know whether it has been accepted or refused. Full speech
Speaker
(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules), in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”. Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the declaration required under section 71HE (declaration by overseas contributor). Full speech
Speaker
(4) A person who discloses personal information in contravention of subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence. Full speech
Speaker
(3) In subsection (2), a reference to a returning officer, a counting officer or a petition officer- Full speech
Speaker
“(3D) In the case of an individual, the report must also give the following information- Full speech
Speaker
(3) Disclosure under subsection (1) does not contravene any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed), including any duty of confidence. Full speech
Speaker
“the commencement day” means the day on which section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors) of this Act comes into force; Full speech
Speaker
“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Full speech
Speaker
“campaign material” means imprinted election campaign material published by political parties and candidates, whether in hard copy or digital format; Full speech
Speaker
received by its donee during the relevant portion of the calendar Full speech
Speaker
(b) relates to the income and expenditure of an organisation to which, or an individual to whom, paragraph 1 applies, Full speech
Speaker
(a) in the case of a transaction other than a connected transaction, to the registered party that is a party to the transaction, or Full speech
Speaker
(iv) the regulated transaction was first entered into on or after 6 July 2026 or that transaction was first entered into before that date but first becomes a regulated transaction on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500. Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the condition in paragraph (b)(ii) (registration as overseas elector) is not met, and Full speech
Speaker
(b) in sub-paragraph (9), after “money so spent”, in both places it occurs, insert “or other property so transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
(f) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 to an accredited campaigner; Full speech
Speaker
(b) takes place on or after the commencement day. Full speech
Speaker
“relevant previous contribution” has the meaning given in section 55C; Full speech
Speaker
“(b) condition C in subsection (4) is to be read as if paragraph (b) of that subsection referred to at least two persons including P.” Full speech
Speaker
2 Section 56 of PPERA 2000 (return of donations) has effect in relation to a retained pre-commencement cryptoasset donation as if- Full speech
Speaker
“(ha) section ( Powers to prescribe form and contents of campaign expenditure returns etc ) (powers to prescribe form and contents of campaign expenditure returns etc);”.- (Angela Rayner.) Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the declaration required under section 71HE (declaration by overseas contributor). Full speech
Speaker
“(13A) In this section “the registrar of companies” has the same meaning as in the Companies Act 2006 (see section 1060 of that Act). Full speech
Speaker
(h) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 6 to the Senedd Cymru (Representation of the People) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/864) to a candidate at an election to Senedd Cymru; Full speech
Speaker
(h) the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission; Full speech
Speaker
(c) the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland; Full speech
Speaker
“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
Speaker
(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
Speaker
(a) state that no reason was found to think that the declaration was untruthful or inaccurate, or Full speech
Speaker
““authorised participant” has the same meaning as in Part 4A (see section 71X);”. Full speech
Speaker
(ab) in paragraph (h), for “(g)” substitute “(ga)”;”. Full speech
Speaker
(b) a controlled transaction within the meaning of Schedule 7A to this Act; Full speech
Speaker
(3) In section 96 (recognised third parties: returns as to controlled expenditure)- Full speech
Speaker
(2) Subsection (3) applies in a case in which- Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 116. Full speech
Speaker
(a) the individual is a party to the transaction (see also sub-paragraph (3)), and Full speech
Speaker
“(4ZA) Subsection (2) also does not apply to regulations under- Full speech
Speaker
(c) is a transaction to which the person is no longer a party. Full speech
Speaker
(2) Those provisions and amendments have effect in relation to an overseas contributor event which takes place on or after 25 March 2026 which is an overseas contributor event in relation to any individual and- Full speech
Speaker
This amendment is consequential on Amendment 72. Full speech
Speaker
(c) paragraph 47(9) of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2); Full speech
Speaker
(9) Where regulations under subsection (1)- Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
Speaker
(a) in sub-paragraph (1)(c), after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
(5) In paragraph 3 (identity of authorised participants: weekly reports)- Full speech
Speaker
(ii) that it has yet to be accepted or refused by its donee, or Full speech
Speaker
(b) list each donation which would be a donation described in paragraph (a) but for paragraph 1(2) of Schedule 5A (donations which have been returned); Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would leave out Clause 71 in consequence of the replacement of that clause with new Clause (Sharing of information between Electoral Commission and others) (see Amendment NC78). Full speech
Speaker
(2) An offence is not committed under section 71L(1), (2), (5) or (6) of PPERA 2000 (entering into, or benefiting from, transactions entered into with unauthorised participant) by, or by the treasurer of, the registered party. Full speech
Speaker
(3E) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3D)(c), ignore any period during which the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration. Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 107. Full speech
Speaker
(b) in the case of a relevant overseas transaction which is a connected transaction, a person who benefits from, or falls to benefit in consequence of, the relevant overseas transaction. Full speech
Speaker
(6) The persons mentioned in subsection (1)(d) are- Full speech
Speaker
(ii) after “money so spent”, in both places it occurs, insert “, or other property so transferred,”; Full speech
Speaker
(a) the individual must give the party a written declaration, and Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would clarify how the aggregation provision in new subsections (1B) and (1C) of section 54 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 operates where there is a connected transaction within Part 4A of that Act. Full speech
Speaker
(b) the individual becomes registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration at a time when the individual is a party to the transaction, or Full speech
Speaker
“(2A) In the case of an authorised participant who is an individual, a weekly report must also give as much of the following information as is for the time being known to the registered party- Full speech
Speaker
(a) whether the individual was an overseas contributor at any time during the reporting period; Full speech
Speaker
(e) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983 to a candidate at an election to which that Act applies; Full speech
Speaker
Donations to candidates at local elections in Northern Ireland Full speech
Speaker
13 In section 71P (exemption from requirement to prepare quarterly reports), in subsection (4)- Full speech
Speaker
(b) when it takes place, the value of the transaction, or the aggregate amount of that transaction and the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the transaction and the event (determined in accordance with section 71HC and Schedule 5A), is more than £100,000. Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the donation is received; Full speech
Speaker
This new clause would add to the circumstances in which a person who is registered in a register of parliamentary electors in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration ceases to be entitled to remain so registered and must be removed from the register. Full speech
Speaker
(2) The power in subsection (1) is subject to- Full speech
Speaker
(d) a person transfers, or purports to transfer, their interest in the transaction. Full speech
Speaker
(a) makes provision about when certain amendments made by this section have effect, and Full speech
Speaker
(a) a regulated transaction within the meaning of Part 4A of this Act; Full speech
Speaker
(a) an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, a Measure or Act of Senedd Cymru, Full speech
Speaker
‘(2) This paragraph does not apply in relation to a recordable donation which also falls within section 54(1)(b) (instead see paragraph 7).’ Full speech
Speaker
(f) the Service Police Complaints Commissioner. Full speech
Speaker
(4) This section does not limit the circumstances in which information may be disclosed by a relevant public authority apart from this section. Full speech
Speaker
(5) In relation to a donation in the form of a bequest, sub-paragraph (1)(b) is to be read as referring to the individual being an overseas contributor at the time of the individual’s death (rather than when the donation is received). Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would provide, in relation to a postal voting arrangement that is applied for and granted in the period beginning 1 October and ending 30 January, that the maximum permitted period of the arrangement ends with the sixth, rather than the fourth, 31 January following the date of grant. Full speech
Speaker
This new clause would confer powers on the Electoral Commission to prescribe additional content required to be included in returns as to certain categories of expenditure, and to prescribe a form which must be used in making such returns. Full speech
Speaker
“relevant overseas donation” has the meaning given in Part 1 of Schedule 5A; Full speech
Speaker
(4) In relation to a donation received by the registered party before the commencement day, those provisions and amendments have effect only in the following cases- Full speech
Speaker
(d) in the case of a donation falling within section 50(2)(d) (payment of expenses), the property transferred in payment for expenses is cryptoassets; Full speech
Speaker
“(3A) In the case of an individual, the report must also give the following information- Full speech
Speaker
“relevant pre-commencement donation” has the meaning given in paragraph 2(8); Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would clarify how the aggregation provision in new subsections (1B) and (1C) of section 71H of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 operates where there is a connected transaction within Part 4A of that Act. Full speech
Speaker
(5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (2) to prove- Full speech
Speaker
(a) the party accepts a donation from P as a donor, Full speech
Speaker
(a) lists the kinds of donation which are “relevant overseas donations”; Full speech
Speaker
(e) the Senedd Commissioner for Standards; Full speech
Speaker
(b) a transaction first entered into before that date which first becomes a regulated transaction on or after that date by virtue of its value increasing to more than £500 (see section 71F(5) and (12)(b) of PPERA 2000). Full speech
Speaker
7 (1) This paragraph applies where a donation (the “main donation”) is received by a registered party (“the main donee”) in a case in which the conditions in paragraph 2(4)(c) (read with sub-paragraphs (5) and (6) of that paragraph) are met. Full speech
Speaker
(13B) References in this section to provisions of the Companies Act 2006 are, in relation to a limited liability partnership, references to those provisions as applied or incorporated (with modifications) by regulations under section 15 of the Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000.” Full speech
Speaker
(4) Sub-paragraphs (2)(c) and (3)(c) apply in the case of a registrable person who has an anonymous entry in an electoral register as if they provided instead for the quarterly report to state that the registered party has seen evidence of such description as is prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations that the registrable person has an anonymous entry in an electoral register. Full speech
Speaker
(a) in the case of a controlled donation, when it is accepted; Full speech
Speaker
(c) subsection (5)(a) of that section referred to that 30 day period. Full speech
Speaker
(1) A relevant public authority (see section 148G) may disclose information to the Commission for the purpose of assisting the performance of the Commission’s functions. Full speech
Speaker
(b) that the information had already lawfully been made available to the public. Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would correct the amendment in clause 41(10) so that it accurately reflects the text being amended (which is inserted by Schedule 5 to the Bill). Full speech
Speaker
(i) after “spent” insert “or other property transferred”; Full speech
Speaker
(h) a relevant donation within the meaning of Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983 to a candidate at an election to the Scottish Parliament (see article 36(4) of the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc.) Order 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/425)); Full speech
Speaker
(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
Speaker
(2) Section 71HE of PPERA 2000 (declaration by overseas contributor) has effect only in relation to a declaration event (as defined in that section) which- Full speech
Speaker
See the explanatory statement for Amendment 64. Full speech
Speaker
(2) For the purposes of this section, there is a “declaration event” in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction if there is one of the following types of overseas contributor event- Full speech
Speaker
(ii) the individual was registered in an electoral register in pursuance of an overseas elector’s declaration during all or part of the period beginning with 25 March 2026 and ending when the event takes place; Full speech
Speaker
(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
Speaker
3 The table below sets out the “relevant refusal provision” in relation to each kind of relevant overseas donation listed in paragraph 1(3). Full speech
Speaker
(b) in the case of a controlled transaction within sub-paragraph (1D)(b), when the transaction is entered into; Full speech
Speaker
(1) Where there is an overseas contributor event in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction (the “main transaction”) in a calendar year, the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main transaction and the event are- Full speech
Speaker
(c) sub-paragraph (4)(b)(ii) and (c)(iii) referred to a period ending with the individual’s death. Full speech
Speaker
(10) For provision about determining the value of relevant overseas donations and relevant overseas transactions, see paragraphs 2 and 5 of Schedule 5A, as applied by section 71HC. Full speech
Speaker
(i) at the end of the pre-commencement period, and Full speech
Speaker
(2) The amount of the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main transaction and the overseas contributor event is determined by adding together- Full speech
Speaker
(i) in the case of a transaction other than a connected transaction, to the registered party that is a party to the transaction, and Full speech
Speaker
(c) where that was so by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
Speaker
(a) a registered party and another person (A) are parties to a transaction of a description mentioned in section 71F(4)(a), Full speech
Speaker
“overseas contributor” has the meaning given in section 71HB(4) and (5); Full speech
Speaker
“(9C) The treasurer or another officer of a registered party is not to be treated for the purposes of this section as a person who ought reasonably to have known that a company or limited liability partnership was not an authorised participant in a regulated transaction by virtue of not satisfying any of conditions A to D in section 54E or, as the case may be, in section 54F (significant control test) if- Full speech
Speaker
(a) in the case of a donation, when it is accepted (but see subsection (9)); Full speech
Speaker
(4) In paragraph 2 (identity of authorised participants: quarterly reports)- Full speech
Speaker
(13) In paragraph 3 (identity of donors: weekly reports)- Full speech
Speaker
(a) adding a reference to a person or a description of person (including a description relating to a person’s functions); Full speech
Speaker
“(1D) For the purposes of sub-paragraphs (1B) and (1C), a “relevant controlled benefit” accrues to a regulated donee from a person (P) if- Full speech
Speaker
(2) The transaction is to be treated as having become void on the commencement day. Full speech
Speaker
(b) the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the declaration event takes place expires without the registered party receiving from the individual the declaration required under section 71HE (declaration by overseas contributor). Full speech
Speaker
71HB Cap on loans etc by overseas contributors Full speech
Speaker
“relevant overseas transaction” has the meaning given in Part 2 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000; Full speech
Speaker
(i) omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (aa) (both as inserted by section 9(1) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 and as substituted by section 10(1) of that Act); Full speech
Speaker
This amendment would make provision in relation to the information to be provided under new paragraph 2ZA of Schedule 6 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 about individuals who have an anonymous entry in an electoral register. Full speech
Speaker
(b) make transitional provision in connection with the coming into force of this Schedule. Full speech
Speaker
(3) Proposals published under this section must include proposals for the Royal Commission’s- Full speech
Speaker
(b) ending when the overseas contributor event takes place. Full speech
Speaker
(2) Section 56 of PPERA 2000 (return of donations) has effect in relation to the donation as if- Full speech
Speaker
(g) a relevant donation within the meaning of Part 5 of Schedule 3 to the Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 (asp 2) to a permitted participant in a Scottish referendum; Full speech
Speaker
2 (1) Schedule 11 to PPERA 2000 (control of donations to recognised third parties) is amended as follows. Full speech
Speaker
(6A) If there is not a GAAP compliant profit and loss account of a person for a financial year, the financial year is to be treated for the purposes of this section as one in which the person does not make a profit.” Full speech
Speaker
(b) state that no such donation was received by the registered party during that period. Full speech
Speaker
“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
Speaker
(b) subsection (5)(a) of that section referred to that 60 day period (rather than that 30 day period). Full speech
Speaker
“Section 71HD(5) (failure to give notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector) On summary conviction in England and Wales: fine On summary conviction in Scotland or Northern Ireland: level 5 Section 71HE(8) (making a false declaration about regulated transaction involving overseas contributor) On summary conviction in England and Wales: fine or the general limit in a magistrates court On summary conviction in Scotland: statutory maximum or 12 months On summary conviction in Northern I... Full speech
Speaker
“(4) In the italic heading before paragraph 4, for “or provision of information etc” substitute “required for investigation of suspected offences or contraventions” Full speech
Speaker
(5) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (4) to prove that the person reasonably believed- Full speech
Speaker
(h) donations to candidates at police and crime commissioner elections.”- (Florence Eshalomi.) Full speech
Speaker
(d) where the individual is an overseas contributor at that time by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b), the last date on which the individual was not resident in the United Kingdom; Full speech
Speaker
(2) In paragraph 2 (donations: general rules)- Full speech
Speaker
(7) In this paragraph, “donation” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of PPERA 2000. Full speech
Speaker
“resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
Speaker
(4) In subsection (3)(d), the reference to an election to which RPA 1983 applies includes an election to which that Act applies by virtue of- Full speech
Speaker
“(ba) the registration officer determines in accordance with regulations that the person- Full speech
Speaker
(c) except where the relevant period is the one in subsection (9E)(d), the registered party had no reasonable grounds for thinking that, notwithstanding the information, the company or limited liability partnership did not satisfy any of those conditions. Full speech
Speaker
(ii) in paragraph (a) (as amended by section 10(2) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009), for the words from “and (subject” to the end substitute “, subject to- Full speech
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See the explanatory statement for Amendment 70. Full speech
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(a) the individual must give a written declaration- Full speech
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(b) give the name of each person (if any) who, as at that date, is (according to the information so inspected) a registrable person or registrable relevant legal entity in relation to the company, and Full speech
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(a) an overseas contributor event takes place in relation to an individual and a regulated transaction, and Full speech
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“accredited campaigner” has the same meaning as in Schedule 4 to the Recall of MPs Act 2015 (see paragraph 1 of that Schedule); Full speech
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148B Disclosure of information to Commission Full speech
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“relevant period” the period after the date on which the candidate becomes a candidate at an election. Full speech
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(c) are reasonably required by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out their functions, and Full speech
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“overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985; Full speech
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(ii) in sub-paragraph (ii), for “payments are” substitute “money is spent, or the other property is transferred,”; Full speech
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“(3A) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 31(1)(c) that comprises a transfer of other property is to be taken to be an amount equal to the amount of money that would have been required to be spent in paying the expenses in question.” Full speech
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(b) paragraph 2(3D), (3E) and (3F) (inserted by section (Cap on donations etc by overseas contributors)) (donor’s status as overseas contributor); Full speech
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the Secretary of State must (where relevant) by regulations make provision for the orders or regulations to apply in relation to Scottish devolved matters or Welsh devolved matters only if, before making the orders or regulations, the Secretary of State obtained the consent of the Scottish Ministers or (as appropriate) the Welsh Ministers. Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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“relevant overseas transaction” has the meaning given in Part 2 of Schedule 5A to PPERA 2000; Full speech
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(3) In Part 10 (miscellaneous and general), in section 161 (interpretation: donations)- Full speech
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(2) In Part 4 (control of donations to registered parties and their members etc)- Full speech
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(3) In paragraph 5 (value of donations), after sub-paragraph (3) insert- Full speech
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Application of requirement for declaration Full speech
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(iii) the individual was, during all or part of the period beginning with 6 July 2026 and ending when the donation is received, not resident in the United Kingdom. Full speech
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(2) In subsection (3), at the end insert “(but see subsection (3C))”. Full speech
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(c) instituting or conducting criminal proceedings; Full speech
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(7) The declaration must also state that, to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief, the aggregate amount of the main donation and the individual’s relevant previous contributions in relation to the main donation (determined in accordance with section 55C and Schedule 5A) is not more than £100,000. Full speech
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(b) subsection (1)(a) required the declaration to be made by the person (“P”) who transmits the bequest to the registered party; Full speech
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(8A) For the purposes of this section, the relevant benefit accrues- Full speech
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This amendment is part of a series of amendments that would replace the “remaining available revenue test” for donations to a registered party from a company or LLP with a profit-based test. Full speech
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“(3ZB) In determining for the purposes of this Part whether a company or limited liability partnership is an authorised participant in relation to a regulated transaction, section 54(3ZA) and sections 54H and 54I are to be read as if- Full speech
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“ Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors Full speech
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(b) is registered in an electoral register in pursuance of a service declaration, Full speech
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(a) in paragraph (a), after “paragraph 1” insert “, 1A”; Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on amendment 129. Full speech
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(3) The transaction is void and section 71I(3) to (5) apply with effect from the end of the period described in subsection (2)(b). Full speech
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(i) is registered in an electoral register otherwise than in pursuance of such a declaration at that time, but Full speech
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(a) whether the individual was an overseas contributor at the time the donation was received by the registered party; Full speech
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148D Information disclosed by the Revenue and Customs Full speech
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(b) if so, whether that was by virtue of section 71HB(4)(a) (overseas elector) or by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) (elector previously not UK resident); Full speech
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(a) sections 55B and 55C of, and Schedule 5A to, PPERA 2000 (cap on donations etc by overseas contributors), and Full speech
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(a) is not resident in the United Kingdom, but Full speech
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“(b) condition C in subsection (4) is to be read as if paragraph (b) of that subsection referred to at least two persons including P.” Full speech
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(i) relate to the income and expenditure of an organisation to which, or an individual to whom, paragraph 1 applies, and Full speech
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(a) within the relevant period the registered party inspected the information delivered by the company or limited liability partnership to the registrar of companies under Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006 that is available for public inspection, Full speech
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“Further power to require disclosures about the finances of registered parties etc Full speech
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(b) the party enters into a regulated transaction with P as an authorised participant, or Full speech
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“In section 156 of PPERA 2000 (orders and regulations), after subsection (4) insert- Full speech
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(c) the Police Service of Northern Ireland; Full speech
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the individual is to be treated as being resident in the United Kingdom at that time. Full speech
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(9) The Secretary of State must consult the Commission before making regulations under subsection (8). Full speech
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(e) amend, repeal or revoke an enactment or provide for an enactment to apply with modifications. Full speech
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(3) Any other person who receives the information from the Commission, whether directly or indirectly, must not further disclose the information, except with the consent of the Commissioners for His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (which may be general or specific). Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on amendment 139. Full speech
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“central organisation” has the same meaning as in PPERA 2000 (see section 160(1) of that Act); Full speech
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(b) relate to the income and expenditure of an organisation to which, or an individual to whom, paragraph 1 applies, Full speech
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(b) in subsection (12), for “(2) to (9)” substitute “(2) to (8) and (9)”. Full speech
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(e) donations to accredited campaigners in relation to recall petitions, Full speech
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(i) the event takes place on or after 6 July 2026 at a time when the individual is an overseas contributor by virtue of section 71HB(4)(b) of PPERA 2000 (elector previously not UK resident), Full speech
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(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable- Full speech
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(2) Subsection (1)(a) does not apply at any time after the main donation, or an equivalent amount, is returned, or sent to the Commission, in accordance with section 56(2). Full speech
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(ii) in the case of a connected transaction, to the registered party which owes the sum for which security is given under the transaction, and Full speech
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1 Chapter 1 of Part 4A of PPERA 2000 (regulation of loans to, and related transactions with, registered parties) is amended as set out in paragraphs 2 to 18. Full speech
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(1) The Commission may disclose information to a relevant public authority (see section 148G) for the purpose of assisting the performance of the authority’s functions. Full speech
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(i) in the words before paragraph (a), after “transaction” insert “in relation to a registered party”; Full speech
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“(4A) The weekly report for a reporting period must also separately record each donation received during that period from an individual who, at the time the donation is received, is an overseas contributor (as defined in section 55B(2) and (3)), so far as that information is for the time being known to the party. Full speech
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“donation” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (see section 50 of that Act); Full speech
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(4) A relevant overseas transaction which is a relevant previous contribution in relation to the main donation is to be counted only if, at the time the main donation is received, the main donee is- Full speech
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“resident in the United Kingdom” has the same meaning as in section 1A of the Representation of the People Act 1985 (see section 27(2) of that Act); Full speech
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(i) the notice required under section 71HD (notice of becoming, or ceasing to be, overseas elector); Full speech
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(4) A person to whom a disclosure notice is given under this paragraph must comply with it within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice. Full speech
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(a) beginning at the beginning of the calendar year, and Full speech
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This new schedule would provide for certain changes made by NC116 to have effect in relation to certain pre-commencement donations and make transitional provision in relation to donations affected by the changes made by that new Clause . Full speech
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(4) Schedule (Meaning of “donation”) makes amendments corresponding to the amendments made by this section, providing for the meaning of “donation” to include the transfer of property as payment of expenses, in relation to- Full speech
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(3) In relation to an overseas contributor event which takes place before the commencement day, a relevant overseas transaction to which an individual is a party is a relevant previous contribution of the individual only in the following cases- Full speech
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“overseas elector’s declaration” means a declaration made under and in accordance with section 1C of the Representation of the People Act 1985; Full speech
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(2) In paragraph 30 (operation and interpretation of Part 5)- Full speech
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(1DB) In sub-paragraphs (1D) and (1DA), “authorised participant” and “controlled transaction” have the same meaning as in Schedule 7A (see paragraphs 2 and 4 of that Schedule).” Full speech
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“service declaration” means a declaration made by a person under and in accordance with section 15 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Full speech
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148H Interpretation of sections 148B to 148G Full speech
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(3) In relation to each donation recorded in the report, the report must include the information required to be included in a quarterly report by the following provisions of Schedule 6 to PPERA 2000 (so far as relevant)- Full speech
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““regulated transaction” has the same meaning as in Part 4A (see section 71X);”. Full speech
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This amendment is consequential on Amendment 86, Amendment 87 and Amendment 88. Full speech