← Back to House of Commons Debates
Electoral Resilience 2025-12-16
16 December 2025
Lead MP
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government raised concerns about electoral resilience 2025-12-16 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
Today I am announcing an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics following the case of Nathan Gill, a former MEP who was sentenced to 10.5 years for accepting bribes linked to Russia. The purpose of the review is to assess current financial rules and safeguards, focusing on political finance laws, checks against illicit funding streams including cryptocurrencies, and party regulations. It will be led by Philip Rycroft and must report back by the end of March 2026. I commend this statement to the House.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Will the Minister commit to all parties being consulted during the new independent review’s work? Does he also accept the long-standing convention that Governments should not unilaterally impose changes to the law affecting political parties without proper consultation and cross-party engagement?
Minister reply
We will engage with parties on aspects of the Bill before it is brought to the House. The independent reviewer will take a view on cryptocurrency, which has been raised by Members in all parts of the House.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Will the Secretary of State update us on whether council elections are going ahead or will they be cancelled at the last minute?
Minister reply
Elections scheduled to go ahead will indeed proceed.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab/Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
Far too often, Members right across this House take elections for granted. The fact that we can go to the ballot box and cast our votes in a free and fair election is something that we have to fight for and protect.
Minister reply
I agree that protecting the integrity of our democracy transcends party politics and I appreciate the support.
Zöe Franklin
LD
Guildford
Question
The Liberal Democrats welcome the statement and the decision to establish an independent review. Public trust in politics is dangerously low, and restoring it must begin with integrity and transparency. Will the Government accept that a small number of extremely wealthy individuals now wield disproportionate influence over British politics? That includes overseas donors, which raises serious questions about foreign interference. In a recent Westminster Hall debate, Members from across the House spoke out about this strongly. Finally, will the Secretary of State commit to donation caps?
Minister reply
I welcome the hon. Lady’s support for the review and confirm that we are looking at the broader issue of gifts and hospitality as well as political finance. We aim to ensure robust safeguards against malign foreign financial interference and look forward to her contributions to this important process.
Sean Woodcock
Lab
Banbury
Question
My right hon. Friend will be aware that the hon. Member for Boston and Skegness recently failed to declare on time hospitality in a French villa from the wife of the former Russian deputy Finance Minister. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the offer and acceptance of gifts and free holidays from Russian oligarchs will be in the scope of the review?
Minister reply
The review is not looking at individual cases, but it will focus on broader issues such as gifts and hospitality offered by potentially malign foreign agents or state actors.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Question
I hope that the Rycroft review will take account of the fact that the giving of money is by no means the worst aspect, or the main aspect, of treacherous behaviour, because very often these people do what they do out of a genuine belief in a potential enemy’s point of view. Let us not be overconcerned with the giving of the bribe, which is often a bonus to people who want to betray us to a potential enemy in any case.
Minister reply
The right hon. Member makes an important point about the evolution of threats to our democracy and the need for evolving safeguards against such threats.
Johanna Baxter
Lab
Paisley and Renfrewshire South
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement and thank him for mentioning the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. I recently co-ordinated a cross-party letter to the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office asking him to ensure that the human rights of those children are protected in peace negotiations. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that not a single representative from one particular party sought to sign it?
Minister reply
I commend my hon. Friend’s campaigning for kidnapped Ukrainian children and expect representatives across all parties to support their interests.
Edward Leigh
Con
Gainsborough
Question
I am curious to know in what respect our existing laws were insufficient to deal with this appalling case. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the best way to reassure the public on electoral resilience is never again to delay local council or mayoral elections?
Minister reply
The independent review will help us understand why existing laws were insufficient and look at ways to improve electoral resilience.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Question
I welcome this review and the fact that it is independent. It is really important that this is seen to be above party politics because we must protect our democracy; it is very clear that it is fragile and under attack from foreign forces. Will the review look at the role of social media companies?
Minister reply
The reviewer will have the discretion to consider social media companies if they are deemed relevant to the core terms of reference focused on potential malign foreign financial interference.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement and wonder if he would reflect on concerns about UK political parties receiving large donations from abroad or through cryptocurrency. Can he assure me that this independent review will consider these issues?
Minister reply
The hon. Member is correct to raise concerns, particularly regarding cryptocurrency as a potential back door for malign foreign actors. The reviewer will have the discretion to investigate such matters.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
I would like to follow up on the question raised by my hon. Friend about social media and whether it is within the terms of the Rycroft review. If a foreign Government are funding third parties to post false comments on social media in order to mislead people exercising their democratic rights, surely that must come within the terms of the review.
Minister reply
Yes, that is correct. The review will consider any attempts by foreign states to influence our democracy through financial means.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Question
As a former elections Minister, I welcome the Secretary of State’s statement. I wonder if he would reflect on two points: first, whether the Electoral Commission needs more resources and sharper teeth; secondly, whether there is a need for a more uniform approach from police forces across the country in defending democracy.
Minister reply
The role, resources, and powers of the Electoral Commission will be reviewed as well as the enforcement capabilities of other agencies including the police.
Question
Interested in hearing from the Minister about when terms of reference will be published and whether the Secretary of State will appear before JCNSS during their inquiry.
Minister reply
The terms of reference have been laid in the House of Commons Library today, with an invitation for the Secretary of State to appear before the Joint Committee on National Security Strategy.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
Question
Enquires about whether donations made to political parties and candidates will be part of Rycroft’s review.
Minister reply
The review will cover all donations made to main political parties outside the normal electoral cycle, including those to individual candidates.
Alan Strickland
Lab
Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
Question
Asks about providing full powers and resources for agencies to protect democracy from foreign influence.
Minister reply
The review will conclude at the end of March, after which the Secretary of State will bring responses back to the House, including provisions for necessary powers and resources.
Mark Pritchard
Con
The Wrekin
Question
Welcomes the Rycroft review but suggests cross-party involvement and invites consideration of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly influences.
Minister reply
Cross-party engagement is expected for the independent review, and all Members are welcome to share their views on foreign interference.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
Question
Requests assurance that resources will be made available for a thorough examination of Russian interference.
Minister reply
Resources from departmental budgets will support the review, ensuring it has necessary means to leave no stone unturned.
Calum Miller
LD
Bicester and Woodstock
Question
Asks if the review can look back to 2014 and 2016 referendums without ministerial censorship.
Minister reply
The review will be fully independent, though it will focus on future safeguards rather than relitigating past elections.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
Question
Queries about social media sites spreading disinformation outside election periods.
Minister reply
Foreign financial interference, including bot activities on platforms like Facebook, will be in scope of the review.
Richard Tice
Reform
Boston and Skegness
Question
Critiques recent mayoral elections cancellation and questions about Chinese communist regime influence.
Minister reply
The review includes all potential sources of malign foreign financial interference, including allegations of Chinese Communist Party influence on political parties.
Emily Darlington
Lab
Milton Keynes Central
Question
Asks about money related to changing politics on abortion rights and trans rights.
Minister reply
The review will examine any foreign financial interference in UK democracy, including issues related to political changes.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Question
Enquires about recommendations for a donation cap or restoring Electoral Commission independence.
Minister reply
The review's findings will inform the elections Bill, which aims to strengthen rules on donations to political parties.
Robert Jenrick
Constituency not specified
Question
Asks about the legal basis for the review and what individual political parties can do to prevent such issues before elections.
Minister reply
Agrees with the importance of due diligence by political parties, particularly Reform UK, in preventing individuals from being elected who should have been vetted out.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Question
Welcomes the review but criticises the Labour Government for their delay and lack of action previously.
Minister reply
Safeguards are already in place, but the review will report ahead of elections to ensure robustness against foreign interference.
Alex Sobel
Lab/Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
Question
Welcomes the independent review but asks if misinformation, disinformation, and aspects of the electoral system will be in scope for the upcoming Bill.
Minister reply
The terms of reference will be laid out today in the House of Commons Library. The defending democracy taskforce is also looking at wider actions to ensure robust safeguards.
Chris Law
SNP
Dundee Central
Question
Asks if legislation can be introduced before May 2024 if parts of the electoral system are found to be not robust, and whether legislation will apply retrospectively.
Minister reply
Cannot anticipate what will be in the review but cannot comment on individual cases. The police will pursue further prosecutions as necessary.
Calvin Bailey
Lab
Leyton and Wanstead
Question
Asks for steps being taken to encourage strong approaches across Government Departments to counter Russian malign activity.
Minister reply
The Minister for Security is leading the defending democracy taskforce, ensuring collaboration across government departments.
St Ives
Question
Asks if the review will include EU citizens who have worked in the UK but may not influence elections compared to expats.
Minister reply
The review focuses on malign foreign financial interference, but no stone is left unturned to protect our democracy.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth North
Question
Asks for assurances that the police have resources and if the review will examine full extent of Russian interference in politics.
Minister reply
The police have necessary resources, and the review operates across political parties to ensure robust safeguards.
Stephen Gethins
SNP
Arbroath and Broughty Ferry
Question
Asks if the EU referendum will be in scope of the review.
Minister reply
No evidence that foreign interference affected any previous election or referendum. The focus is on ensuring robust safeguards for future elections.
Paul Waugh
Lab/Co-op
Rochdale
Question
Asks about the susceptibility of parties led by Nigel Farage to Russian bribes.
Minister reply
Will not comment on individual cases but seeks robust safeguards against foreign financial interference across all political parties.
Seamus Logan
SNP
Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Question
Welcomes the review but raises concerns about misinformation spread by politicians.
Minister reply
The review focuses on foreign financial interference, not domestic political points.
Cardiff West
Question
Asks if every political party will be required to cooperate with the terms of reference.
Minister reply
Every political party is expected to co-operate. Non-cooperation would be named and shamed.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
Question
I recently visited several high schools in my constituency to talk about our democracy and opportunities to come here and see it at work. The three most common topics they wanted to talk about were bobbing, smartphone bans that may be coming towards them; and our electoral system and proportional representation. Will the Secretary of State listen to our young people when doing so?
Minister reply
I congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing young people into this House. The review is intended to achieve a clean-up of British politics from foreign influences, ensuring that dirty money does not influence elections.
Lizzi Collinge
Lab
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Question
Does the Secretary of State share my concern about the inadequate oversight of foreign donations, particularly moneys funnelled through cryptocurrency?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a very important point. Cryptocurrency is one route by which dirty money can covertly enter British politics in an attempt to influence election outcomes. Crypto will be in scope for this review.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
A once senior leader of the Reform party is now in jail for colluding with Russia. When the hon. Member for Clacton heard about that, did he launch an inquiry? Will my right hon. Friend commit to make clear to the House exactly which political parties took part in this exercise of scrutiny and transparency?
Minister reply
It will be for Philip Rycroft to publish his review, but I agree with my hon. Friend's point. The sentencing of Nathan Gill has exposed vulnerabilities in our systems. This review will give us the opportunity to check that our safeguards are robust.
Jim Dickson
Lab
Dartford
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that it cannot be good enough for any political party to simply accept the peddling of pro-Russian propaganda? Can he assure me that this review will examine all and every link with Russia without fear or favour?
Minister reply
The review will absolutely operate without fear or favour. It will involve an in-depth assessment of the current financial and bribery-related rules and safeguards to ensure our democracy remains safe.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
Question
This case should be of concern to anybody who believes in this country and in our democracy. What will the Secretary of State do to ensure, in working with the Home Secretary, that police forces such as mine in Essex are equipped to deal with any local investigations?
Minister reply
I agree with my hon. Friend; our democracy is too precious to allow dirty money from overseas to destroy it. I hope the whole House will come together to do what is necessary to protect something as vital and precious as our freedom to choose our own Governments.
Shadow Comment
Paul Holmes
Shadow Comment
I welcome the independent review but raise concerns about lack of consultation with political parties before announcing the election strategy, and ask for engagement during the new independent review’s work. I question the cancellation of the 2026 mayoral elections without proper communication to electoral officials and the Government's refusal to extend a foreign influence registration scheme to China despite national security threats. I also raise concerns about loopholes created by devolved Administrations that allow Chinese residents in Scotland and Wales to make donations to UK political parties, urging for consistent safeguarding across the United Kingdom.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.