Elections Act 2022 Regulation and Electoral Process 2022-09-08
2022-09-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Elections Act 2022 is under scrutiny for its potential effects on the regulation of political party donations, campaign expenditure, and overall electoral integrity.
What recent assessment has the Committee made of the potential effect of the Elections Act 2022 on (a) the regulation of political party donations and finances, (b) campaign spending, and (c) the overall integrity of the electoral process?
The Speaker's Committee has not made an assessment. The Commission believes that the Elections Act makes limited changes to political party donations and finances, with new requirements for transparency in registration and digital imprints increasing campaign spending visibility. Changes enhance electoral integrity but may complicate third-party campaigners' regulations.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Committee has not made a formal assessment of the Act's impact on political party donations and finances, regulation of campaign expenditure, or overall electoral integrity.
Under Review
Limited Changes
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A report by the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research suggests that the Elections Act weakens rules on overseas donations, making it easier for foreign entities to pay for influence. The questioner seeks confirmation if a donation cap has been considered.
According to openDemocracy, between 2010 and 2019 the Tory party received £3.5 million from Russian-linked donors, yet instead of countering undue influence from oligarchs or shady think-tanks, the Elections Act weakens rules on donations from overseas. The new report by the Institute for Constitutional and Democratic Research has set out a simple remedy: cap all political donations to a level appropriate to the poorest. Will the representative of the Speaker's Committee confirm whether a donation cap has been considered?
The cap has not been considered in the Speaker's Committee. The Commission is committed to ensuring transparent political funding and preventing foreign money from entering UK politics, recommending new due diligence and risk assessment changes for parties and companies making donations.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No consideration of donation caps was made by either the Speaker's Committee or Electoral Commission.
Not Considered
Recommendations
Response accuracy