Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Election Finance from Overseas Transparency 2024-01-11

2024-01-11

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Patricia Gibson
▸ Context
The Electoral Commission has highlighted that the UK political finance system is vulnerable to unlawful influence from foreign donations, both from abroad and within the UK.
Whether the committee has had recent discussions with the Electoral Commission on the adequacy of the transparency of election finance from overseas. The commission publishes information about donations to ensure transparency but also highlights vulnerabilities in the political finance system regarding unlawful foreign influence.
Cat Smith
The committee has not had any recent discussions with the commission on the matters raised. The commission publishes information about donations to ensure transparency, and it highlights that the political finance system is vulnerable to unlawful influence from foreign donations both overseas and in the UK.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The committee has not had any recent discussions with the Electoral Commission on these matters.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Patricia Gibson
▸ Context
The parliamentary National Security Strategy Committee revealed that the Russian state attempted to interfere with the 2019 general election. This Government have made it easier for overseas donors, including those living in Russia, to donate to UK political parties.
Does the Electoral Commission share my party's concern that this government is opening up UK democracy to even greater influence by hostile nations? The Russian state attempted to interfere with the 2019 general election and current regulations make it easier for overseas donors, including Russians, to donate to UK political parties.
Cat Smith
It would be a matter for security services rather than the Electoral Commission to assess whether unlawful foreign money was used in 2019 elections. Political parties must report and return unlawful donations, and the commission conducts permissibility checks on donations and can sanction parties that accept impermissible foreign donations.
▸ Assessment & feedback
The Electoral Commission's role is limited to assessing the legality of donations and it does not conduct full assessments regarding security threats.
Response accuracy