House of Commons · Urgent Question
17 July 2025 · 28 other contributors
Opened by Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Paul Holmes raised concerns about strategy for elections 2025-07-17 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
Key points
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Will the Minister confirm why the government chose to announce its new strategy on elections through a press release instead of using this chamber? Additionally, what consultations have been done with political parties and why are young people being given the right to vote but not stand in elections?
Question
Why did the Minister not choose to come to the House to announce this policy despite giving notice for a written ministerial statement? Why has there been no consultation of political parties?
Minister reply
The government was elected on a manifesto committing us to granting 16-year-olds the right to vote and protecting our democracy from foreign money. The previous Labour government did not address gaping loopholes allowing foreign interference, despite calls for change. The new laws will prevent bad behaviour through fines of up to £500,000. Cross-party agreement is sought on these changes.
Question
What work will the Minister do with the Electoral Commission to tackle intimidation and abuse faced by candidates?
Minister reply
The changes introduced will ensure elected representatives, candidates, campaigners, and electoral staff are properly protected. Courts will have power to increase sentences for those hostile towards candidates; an aggravated factor for intimidatory offence will be introduced allowing courts to pass tougher sentences; the requirement to publish candidates’ addresses will be removed.
Question
Does the Government plan to go further in fixing a system of elections that left many feeling their vote does not count? Will they look at scrapping voter ID entirely and introducing proportional representation?
Minister reply
The strategy aims to address disproportionate election results. The government is committed to addressing issues of foreign interference, including through party funding, but specific measures such as scrapping voter ID or introducing proportional representation were not detailed.
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that a wide number of behaviours in our democratic system are intimidating candidates and Members, and detrimental to our values and democracy? Will she expand on the measures in the strategy to alleviate these problems?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. In 15 years as an MP, I have seen a rise in hatred and hostility towards candidates and elected officials, with tragic losses like those of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess. The Government are determined to protect elected representatives, candidates, and election officials because this trend is having a chilling effect on our democracy. We need to work together to protect our democracy while protecting freedom of speech.
Question
Will the Minister consider reviewing the boundary commissions for local government and constituencies, particularly to ensure that constituencies can be made up of genuine communities?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman will understand the process and work of the boundary commissions. This strategy is focused on the themes I spoke about earlier, and that is what we will focus on.
Question
Will the Minister consider reviewing the system for elections to this place given its flaws?
Minister reply
I refer my hon. Friend to my previous answer on that question.
Question
What steps are the Government taking to ensure the accuracy and honesty of the postal voting system?
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman is aware that his party introduced a series of changes, including on voter ID and other checks as electors register to vote. We have retained protections on postal voting, and there are laws to ensure forgery and personation do not happen.
Question
How will the Minister tackle illicit finance flowing into our democracy?
Minister reply
I am grateful for her work in this area. We are ensuring that the Electoral Commission has appropriate powers to support political parties, making sure they do 'know your donor' checks. Where parties fail, a fine of up to £500,000 can be applied proportionately.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that voting for 16 and 7-year-olds will be in place in time for the next general election?
Minister reply
We are looking closely at work in Scotland and Wales. We want to make sure we take time to implement changes in time for the next general election, but we will work with relevant institutions, including the Electoral Commission, education establishments, the Department for Education, charities, youth organisations, and other interested bodies.
Question
Will the Minister confirm that the elections Bill will ban cryptocurrency donations?
Minister reply
There are already a number of rules in place on political donations, and they must be abided by regardless of donation type. Our reforms of political finance to strengthen our democracy apply to all donations, including those in cryptocurrency.
Question
What steps are being taken to protect our democracy from misinformation that seeks to distort election outcomes?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. The defending democracy taskforce is leading work on a range of issues, including taking action against online platforms and foreign state actors with links to regimes like China's.
Question
Does the Minister agree that 16-year-olds deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box?
Minister reply
Young people can work, pay taxes, and join the Army at 16; there is no reason they should not have a say in who represents them and shape their future. They are passionate about issues affecting their communities and country.
Question
Is it long overdue that this Government reform the UK Parliament’s electoral system and introduce proportional representation?
Minister reply
The Government have no plans to change the electoral system for UK parliamentary or local elections.
Question
Will the Minister keep an open mind about reviewing other strong democracies' use of PR to strengthen democracy and create a more collaborative political culture?
Question
The Minister will be aware that the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy has been doing a lot of work on defending democracy, including cracking down on illicit finance through cryptocurrencies. Will she look closely at these issues to make sure loopholes are closed?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is right to be concerned about new challenges in relation to crypto. We will look very closely at these issues and reassure him that the current powers cover donations through crypto, and we will continue to close loopholes.
Question
Why is there a difference between Westminster elections and combined mayoral elections regarding first-past-the-post voting systems?
Minister reply
The hon. Member may have critiques of the first-past-the-post system, but it provides a direct relationship between Members of the legislature and local constituencies, which is really important. We believe that supplementary voting is more appropriate for selecting single-person executives.
Question
Does the Minister agree that it is high time to take robust action to make our democracy safe and fair for everyone, particularly in terms of election law?
Minister reply
I look forward to using the expertise of colleagues from all parties so that we get this right. It is in all our interests to close the loopholes that are dangerous and damaging for our democracy.
Question
Does the Minister consider the concerns with postal voting security and personation fraud?
Minister reply
I reassure the hon. Gentleman that we take these issues very seriously. Personating another voter is a serious criminal offence, and if he has examples of such activity, he should report them to the police.
Question
Does the Minister agree that listening to young people and engaging them in the process is a key first step in rebuilding some of the damage done to our democracy?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes a powerful case for giving young people, from the age of 16, the right to vote and participate in our democracy. Young people are the future, and it is vital that we all work together to ensure that they learn about and can participate in our political system.
Question
How will the Government make it easier for people to engage in democracy and give votes at 16?
Minister reply
It is crucial that we engage electors, both young electors and those who are not registered. We will do careful work to move towards automated voter registration and ensure that every citizen who is eligible to vote registers and is able to vote.
Question
Will the measures apply equally across all parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that we are working through the interministerial group to ensure that we introduce changes consistent with the Good Friday agreement and that recognise specific issues affecting different parts of the UK.
Question
Given how respectful and engaged 16 and 17-year-olds are, does the Minister agree that they should have the right to vote in general elections?
Minister reply
I could not agree more. As my hon. Friend says, young people are passionate, engaged and interested in issues affecting their lives. It is right that they should have the opportunity to participate in our democracy.
Question
Why does the Minister refuse even to consider proportional representation so that voters will be more fully and fairly represented?
Minister reply
I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous answers on the same question.
Question
Given her experience of being elected under three electoral systems, does she agree that first-past-the-post has advantages?
Minister reply
I refer to my hon. Friend's point about the benefits of different electoral systems and the importance of considering their impact on voters.
Question
Does the Minister intend to make changes to ensure that the ability to vote by post is not abused, as it currently is in some parts of Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that I am working with ministerial colleagues and we are sensitive to differences in different contexts. I am happy to continue the dialogue with him.
Question
Does she expect the forthcoming elections Bill to be in force before the local elections next May? Will company donations be permitted only from firms with UK ultimate beneficial owners?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend has huge expertise in this area, and I am happy to write to him on his specific questions regarding the elections Bill and political finance rules.
Question
Does the hon. Member want to reflect on his statement about people carrying multiple bags of postal votes, which is now prohibited under new legislation?
Minister reply
While I appreciate the concern raised by my hon. Friend, this point does not pertain directly to the issue at hand regarding foreign funding and political influence.
Government Response
The government has published a strategy for modern and secure elections today. The manifesto committed to strengthening democracy and upholding election integrity. Measures include extending the voter franchise to 16 and 17-year-olds, increasing participation, addressing inconsistencies in voter identification rules, and protecting democracy by overhauling political finance rules. Concerning harassment and intimidation faced by candidates, measures are being brought forward to tackle these issues. The strategy aims to future-proof our democracy, secure elections, and protect them against interference through a programme of reforms, including an upcoming elections Bill.