Caroline Nokes
MP for Romsey and Southampton North · Conservative · United Kingdom
“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will be conscious that there are in the region of 15 more Members wishing to speak in this debate, and we have not yet heard from the Minister, so I am not minded to accept a closure motion at this point.”
“(3) For paragraph (3A) substitute— “(3A) The returning officer shall also provide each polling station with such equipment as is necessary to ensure that relevant persons are able to vote independently and in secret, including— (a) tactile equipment that enables the voter to navigate the ballot paper and accurately mark their chosen candi…”
“(2) During the period commencing 30 minutes before the time appointed for the taking of a poll at an election, and ending 30 minutes after the close of the said poll, a person shall not, in or in the curtilage of a polling station or in any place within 50 metres of such station, for the purpose of promoting the interest of a political pa…”
“New clause 97— Power of Electoral Commission to require disclosure from financial institutions — “In Schedule 19B of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (investigatory powers of Commission), after paragraph 1 insert— “Power to require disclosure from financial institutions 1A(1) The Commission may give a disclosure n…”
“() In paragraph 6 of schedule 6 (Donations from impermissible donors), after “section 54(1)(a)” insert— “or section 55B.” (8) In Schedule 20, in Table after Section 56(3) or (4) (failure to return donations) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year” Insert— Section 55A(8) (cap on donations) On sum…”
“(2) The specified elections for the purposes of subsection (1) are— (a) UK parliamentary elections, and (b) local government elections in England and Wales.”
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“I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his point of order. He will be conscious that there are in the region of 15 more Members wishing to speak in this debate, and we have not yet heard from the Minister, so I am not minded to accept a closure motion at this point.”
“Amendment 62, line 1, leave out “extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds” and insert “linking the right to vote to the age of majority”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56.”
“See explanatory statement for Amendment 44. Amendment 47, page 167, line 30, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 44. Amendment 48, page 167, line 41, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 44. Government amendments 123 to 131. Amendment 12, title, line 1, leave out “extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds” and insert “linking the right to vote to the age at which a person may be sold alcohol in licenced premises”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6. Amendment 55, line 1, leave out “extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds” and insert “linking the right to vote to the age at which a person may enter into a marriage”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49.”
“This amendment, together with amendments 41 and 43, lowers the threshold at which donations to candidates at elections must undertake a risk assessment. Amendment 41, page 164, line 39, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£2,230”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 40. Amendment 43, page 164, line 40, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£2,230”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 40. Amendment 44, page 167, line 10, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£500”. This amendment together with Amendments 45 to 48, lowers the threshold at which donations to accredited campaigners in recall petitions must undertake a risk assessment. Amendment 45, page 167, line 18, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 44. Amendment 46, page 167, line 27, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£500”.”
“Amendment 35, in schedule 8, page 158, line 40, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£7,500”. This amendment, together with Amendments 36 to 39, would require a risk assessment to take place for donations that exceed more than £7,500 to a recognised third party. Amendment 36, page 159, line 6, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£7,500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 35. Amendment 37, page 159, line 14, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£7,500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 35. Amendment 38, page 159, line 17, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£7,500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 35. Amendment 39, page 159, line 27, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£7,500”. See explanatory statement for Amendment 35. Amendment 40, page 164, line 36, leave out “£11,180” and insert “£2,230”.”
“Amendment 3, in clause 82, page 102, line 31, at end insert— “(ha) section [Overseas electors: Review of feasibility of proposals for facilitating overseas ballots]”. This amendment is consequential on NC19. Government new schedule 1— Donations in cryptoassets: transitional provision. Government new schedule 2— Regulated transactions involving cryptoassets. Government new schedule 5— Loans etc to registered parties by companies and LLPs . Government new schedule 6— Meaning of “donation”. Government new schedule 7— Cap on donations to registered parties by overseas contributors: application and transitional provision. Government new schedule 8— Cap on loans etc to registered parties by overseas contributors. Government amendments 147 to 150 and 101 to 122.”
“Amendment 152, in clause 82, page 102, line 13, at end insert— “(1A) Part 1 of this Act comes into force once the Secretary of State has laid a report before both Houses as required under section (Equality impact assessment prior to extending the franchise to younger voters in the UK).” This amendment, together with NC122, would require the Secretary of State to produce a report in response to an equality assessment on extending the franchise to younger voters in the UK. Amendment 5, in clause 82, page 102, line 29, at end insert— “(ga) section 41(3A) (enhanced disclosure and barring service check declaration)”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 4. Government amendments 100 and 146.”
“Amendment 30, in clause 82, page 102, line 11, leave from “appoint” to the end of line 39 and insert— “(2) The Secretary of State must consult with the Parliamentary Parties Panel established under section 4 (parliamentary parties panel) of PPERA 2000 before commencing any provision in this Act.” This amendment would prevent the Act from coming into force until the Secretary of State had consulted the Parliamentary Parties Panel.”
“This amendment would ensure that the amount a company or limited liability partnership can donate to a party must take into account any donations it has already made to other parties, regulated donees (which includes members of parties, members associations and holders of elective offices) or electoral candidates. Government amendments 82 to 84, 28 and 86 to 99. Amendment 1, in clause 73, page 94, line 26, after “candidates,” insert “candidates’ relatives, candidates’ staff,”. Government amendments 143 to 145.”
“This amendment would ensure that the amount a company or limited liability partnership can donate to a party must take into account any donations it has already made to other parties, regulated donees (which includes members of parties, members associations and holders of elective offices) or electoral candidates. Government amendments 79 to 81. Amendment 137, in clause 60, page 78, line 23, after “party” insert “, any other party, regulated donee (within the meaning of Schedule 7) or candidate (see Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983)”.”
“(3C) For the purposes of this section “connected persons” has the meaning given in section 1122 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (“connected” persons).” This amendment would require the calculation of remaining available profits of a company or LLP to exclude any subsidiaries and be calculated on the average of the relevant financial years. Government amendments 77 and 78. Amendment 136, in clause 60, page 78, line 9, after “party” insert “, any other party, regulated donee (within the meaning of Schedule 7) or candidate (see Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983)”.”
“Amendment 151, in clause 60, page 78, line 1, leave out subsections (2) and (3) and insert— “(3A) The amount of the person’s remaining available profits at the time of the donation’s receipt by the party is calculated as follows— Step 1 Add together the person’s profit for each financial year within the relevant period to give “the step 1 total”. Step 2 Divide the step 1 total by the number of relevant financial years to give “the step 2 total”. Step 3 Then deduct from the step 2 total the value of each relevant benefit (if any) that has already accrued to the party from the person in the calendar year in which the donation is received. (3B) For the purposes of subsection (3A), the amount of the person’s remaining available profits shall not include any profits of any connected persons.”
“(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable— (a) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine, or to both; (b) on summary conviction in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years or to a fine not exceeding £500,000, or to both.”” This amendment provides that the director or partner who has been nominated to be responsible for ensuring compliance with the legal requirements relating to donations commits an offence is they cause or permit a breach of those requirements without reasonable excuse. Government amendments 71 to 76.”
“Amendment 135, in clause 60, page 74, line 2, at end insert— “(2A) After section 54D (inserted by section 58 of this Act) insert— “54ZE Criminal liability of nominated director or partner to follow requirements (1) A director or partner nominated by virtue of section 54(3ZA)(c) commits an offence if without reasonable excuse they cause or permit a breach of any requirement imposed under this Part.”
“Amendment 15, in clause 60, page 73, line 7, leave out subsections (2) to (7) and insert— “(2) In section 54 (permissible donors) omit subsections (2)(b) and (2)(f)”. This amendment would prohibit the acceptance of corporate donations by registered political parties. Government amendment 70. Amendment 134, in clause 60, page 73, line 32, at end insert— “(c) the person has nominated a director or partner who is to be personally responsible for ensuring the donation is made in accordance with the requirements of this Part.” This amendment provides that for donors from corporate bodies to be permissible they must nominate a director or partner who is responsible for compliance with the legal requirements relating to donations.”
“(2B) A conviction is to be disregarded for the purposes of subsection (2)(da) if it is spent for the purposes of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, unless the sentence imposed exceeded four years.” Amendment 32, in clause 58, page 69, line 31, at end insert— “(f) the definition of “high-risk jurisdictions” for the purposes of subsection 54C(2).” This amendment is consequential on Amendment 31 and would require the Electoral Commission to produce guidance on the definition of a “high-risk jurisdiction”. Government amendments 142 and 69. Amendment 14, in clause 60, page 73, line 6, leave out “set out in subsections (2) to (6)” and insert “follows”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 15.”
“Amendment 133, in clause 58, page 69, line 13, at end insert— “(2A) For the purposes of subsection (2)(da) and (db), a person is "connected with" the donor if— (a) they are the donor's spouse, civil partner, parent, child or sibling; (b) they are a person with significant control over the donor (within the meaning of section 54E or54F); or (c) they have, directly or indirectly, provided or arranged any part of the funds used to make the donation.”
“This amendment would require a party to take into account any other risk factor that a “reasonable person” rather than “the party” considers to be relevant when carrying out a risk assessment under section 58. Amendment 34, in clause 58, page 69, line 10, leave out from “regulations” to end of line 13 and insert “only if the regulations would give effect to a recommendation of the Commission.” This amendment would mean that the Secretary of State could only by regulation amend the risk factors that must be considered by parties when carrying out a risk assessment under section 58 if doing so gives effect to a recommendation of the Electoral Commission.”
“This amendment will require a party to take into account the source of the funds with which the donation was made and any links the donor has to high-risk jurisdictions and politically exposed persons when carrying out a risk assessment under section 58. Amendment 132, in clause 58, page 69, line 6, at end insert— “(da) whether the donor, or a person connected with the donor, has at any time been convicted of an offence involving fraud, dishonesty, bribery, corruption or money laundering (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere), (db) the extent to which the donation, or the funds used to make it, derive from or have passed through a person connected with the donor as mentioned in paragraph (da),”. Amendment 33, in clause 58, page 69, line 8, leave out “the party” and insert “a reasonable person”.”
“(4) For the purposes of this rule, “enhanced DBS check” means an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service for the purposes of Part V of the Police Act 1997.”” This amendment would require candidates in a parliamentary election to agree to undertake and fund an enhanced DBS check if elected, to be obtained from an organisation to be designated by the Secretary of State. Government amendment 63. Amendment 2, page 60, line 1, leave out clause 47. This amendment is linked to NC14. Government amendments 64 to 68. Amendment 31, in clause 58, page 69, line 6, at end insert— “(da) the source and origin of the funds with which the donation was made, (db) any connections that the person from whom the donation is received has to high-risk jurisdictions and politically exposed persons, and”.”
“Government amendments 140 and 141. Amendment 13, page 44, line 26, leave out clause 35. Amendment 4, in clause 41, page 50, line 16, at end insert— “(3A) After rule 6 insert— “Enhanced disclosure and barring service check declaration 6AA (1) A person is not validly nominated unless the person makes a declaration that they assent to undertake an enhanced DBS check and obtain an enhanced DBS certificate if elected. (2) The Secretary of State may make regulations which make necessary provision for the designation of an organisation from which the DBS check under paragraph 1 must be obtained. (3) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament draft regulations under paragraph 2 before the end of the period of 90 days beginning with the day on which the Representation of the People Act 2026 is passed.”
“Amendment 29, in clause 17, page 23, line 23, at end insert— “(1A) A registration officer must register a person who is not, for the purposes of section 4 (entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector) of this Act, resident at any address in the United Kingdom, in a relevant register maintained by the officer if— (a) the officer is aware of the person’s name and date of birth, (b) the officer is aware that the person is a homeless person, (c) the officer is aware of a local connection as set out in section (7B) (notional residence: declarations of local connection) of this Act, (d) the person is not registered in the register, (e) the person appears to the officer to be of voting age and entitled to be registered in the register, (f) the officer has given the person a notice in accordance with section 12B (1) in relation to the register,and (g) either (or both) of the following applies— (i) the response period specified in the notice (in accordance with section 12B(3)(d)) has ended; (ii) during that period, the person confirmed to the officer that the person wishes to be registered in the register under this section.” This amendment would create a duty on registration officers to automatically register people who are homeless and are otherwise eligible to be registered.”
“Amendment 61, in clause 1, page 2, line 11, leave out from “for” to end and insert “‘aged 18 or over, or the date of his or her 18th birthday is’ substitute ‘full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969, or over, or shall reach that age’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56. Government amendments 138 and 139.”
“Amendment 11, in clause 1, page 2, line 11, leave out from “for” to end and insert “‘aged 18 or over, or the date of his or her 18th birthday is’ substitute ‘the age at which they may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003, or over, or shall reach that age’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6. Amendment 54, in clause 1, page 2, line 11, leave out from “for” to end and insert “‘aged 18 or over, or the date of his or her 18th birthday is’ substitute ‘the age at which they may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949, or over, or shall reach that age’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49.”
“Amendment 53, in clause 1, page 2, line 9, leave out “for ‘18’ substitute ‘16’” and insert “for ‘of 18’ substitute ‘at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49. Amendment 60, in clause 1, page 2, line 9, leave out “for ’18’ substitute ‘16’” and insert “for ‘the age of 18’ substitute ‘full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56.”
“Amendment 59, in clause 1, page 2, line 5, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in subsection (1)(d), for “eighteen” substitute “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969” (b) in subsection (4), for “of eighteen years” substitute “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56. Amendment 10, in clause 1, page 2, line 9, leave out “for ‘18’ substitute ‘16’” and insert “for ‘of 18’ substitute ‘at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003’”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6.”
“Amendment 52, in clause 1, page 2, line 5, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in subsection (1)(d), for “of eighteen” substitute “at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949” (b) in subsection (4), for “of eighteen years” substitute “at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49.”
“Amendment 9, in clause 1, page 2, line 5, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in subsection (1)(d), for “of eighteen” substitute “at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003”; (b) in subsection (4), for “of eighteen years” substitute “at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6.”
“Amendment 58, in clause 1, page 2, line 1, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in paragraph 2 for “the age of 18 years”, in both places it occurs, substitute “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969” (b) in paragraph (3) for “the age of 18 years” substitute “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56.”
“Amendment 51, in clause 1, page 2, line 1, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in paragraph 2 for “of 18 years”, in both places it occurs, substitute “at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949” (b) in paragraph 3 for “of 18 years” substitute “at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49.”
“Amendment 8, in clause 1, page 2, line 1, leave out subsections (a) and (b) and insert— “(a) in paragraph 2 for “of 18 years”, in both places it occurs, substitute “at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003”; (b) in paragraph (3) for “of 18 years” substitute “at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003””. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6.”
“Amendment 7, in clause 1, page 1, line 9, leave out “16 years” and insert “the age at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 6. Amendment 50, in clause 1, page 1, line 9, leave out “16 years” and insert “the age at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 49. Amendment 57, in clause 1, page 1, line 9, leave out “16 years” and insert “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969”. This amendment is consequential on Amendment 56.”
“Amendment 49, in clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out “16” and insert “the age at which a person may enter into a marriage under section 2 (marriages of persons under eighteen) of the Marriage Act 1949”. This amendment would link the age at which a person is eligible to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election to the age at which they may enter into a marriage. Amendment 56, in clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out “16” and insert “full age as set out in section 1 (reduction of age of majority from 21 to 18) of the Family Law Reform Act 1969”. This amendment would link the age at which a person is eligible to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election to the age at which they attain the age of majority, including for the purposes of obtaining a mortgage or owning property.”
“(3) The Secretary of State may not bring Part 1 of this Act into force until the report specified in subsection (2)(b) has been laid before both Houses of Parliament.” This new clause is connected to Amendment 152 and facilitates a debate on the equality impact of the proposed General Election franchise change on young people in Northern Ireland compared with the rest of the UK. Amendment 6, in clause 1, page 1, line 7, leave out “16” and insert “the age at which a person may be sold alcohol under section 146(1) (sale of alcohol to children) of the Licensing Act 2003”. This amendment would link the age at which a person is eligible to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election to the age at which an offence is not committed by selling them alcohol.”
“New clause 122— Equality impact assessment prior to extending the franchise to younger voters in the UK — “(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must carry out an equality impact assessment of the proposed extension of the franchise in Northern Ireland compared with Great Britain. (2) The Secretary of State must within nine months lay before both Houses of Parliament— (a) the equality impact assessment required by subsection (1); and (b) a report setting out the Government’s formal response to the equality impact assessment.”
“(1C) The Electoral Commission must make a recommendation for the purposes of subsection (1B) at least once every five years. (1D) In making a recommendation under subsection (1C), the Electoral Commission must have regard to— (a) the fairness of elections, (b) the effect on political parties, and (c) public confidence in the integrity of elections.” (3) Omit subsections (2) to (4).” This new clause would require changes to specified sums or percentages specified in PPERA 2000 to be based on a recommendation of the Electoral Commission, which would be required to review those amounts at least once every five years.”
“(11) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.”” This new clause would ensure an immediate donations cap of £500,000, decreasing to £100,000 in the second calendar year, and requiring the Secretary of State during this time to set an appropriate permanent donations cap by regulations. New clause 121— Requirement for Electoral Commission recommendation to vary specified sums or percentages — “(1) Section 155 of PPERA 2000 (Power to vary specified sums or percentages) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (1A) insert— “(1B) The Secretary of State may make an order under subsection (1) only if the order gives effect to a recommendation made by the Electoral Commission.”
“(10) Regulations under subsection (6) and (7) may provide for— (a) requirements to make declarations, reports, and to create and keep records and receipts; (b) anti-evasion provisions, including the aggregation of donations made by individuals connected to unincorporated associations and legal entities also making donations; and (c) the amendment, repeal or revocation of any enactment, including provisions within this Act and other electoral legislation, where the Secretary of State considers it necessary for the purposes of this section.”
“(6) The Secretary of State must by regulations specify a limit for the purposes of subsection (5)(c) within two years of the passage of this Act. (7) The Secretary of State may by regulations vary the limit for the purposes of subsection (5)(a) and (5)(b). (8) Regulations under subsection (6) or (7) must provide a limit for the purposes of subsection (1) at an amount the Secretary of State considers appropriate which does not exceed £500,000. (9) In considering the level of the limit for the purposes of subsection (8) the Secretary of State must commission and have regard to advice from the Electoral Commission.”
“(4) The conditions for the purposes of subsection (3)(c) are— (a) that the total amount contributed by members of a union to its political fund during a calendar year is no less than the total donations made by that union during the same year; and (b) that the trade union is taking all reasonable steps to comply with Chapter VI of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. (5) The limit for the purposes of subsection (1) is— (a) for the calendar year in which this Act is passed, £500,000; (b) for the calendar year following the passage of this Act, £100,000; and (c) for the second and each subsequent calendar year following the passage of this Act, an amount specified by regulations made under subsection (6).”
“(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to donations between registered parties or where the source of funds for the donation are— (a) public funds within the meaning of section 55(2); (b) exempt trusts within the meaning of section 162(2); (c) a trade union’s political funds, subject to the conditions set out in subsection (4); (d) subscriptions paid by registered societies under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 to a registered party; or (e) bequests.”
“(2) After section 56 (acceptance of return of donations: general) insert— “56A Cap on donations (1) A registered party, recognised third party, regulated donee, or permitted participant must not accept a donation or gift from a person if the value of donations and gifts from that person, during the course of that calendar year exceeds the limit set out in subsection (5). (2) Where a donation is received which would cause the limit for the purposes of subsection (1) to be exceeded, the amount by which the limit is exceeded is to be treated for the purposes of this Act as a donation received from a person who is not a permissible donor.”
“(5) In this section— “election material” has the meaning given by section 143ZA(1) of this Act), “accessible communications format” means a format which enables a person with a disability to access the information concerned as feasibly and comfortably as a person who does not have that disability, “language native to the British Isles” means a language specified by the Secretary of State in regulations. (6) Regulations under subsection (5) are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.”” This new clause would require election material to be published only in English, Welsh, languages native to the British Isles or accessible communication formats such as Braille or BSL. New clause 120— Donation cap on UK-based donors — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsection (2).”
“(4) After section 143 (details to appear on election material) insert— “143ZA Election material to be in languages native to the British Isles only (1) No election material shall be published unless the material is in English, Welsh, a language native to the British Isles or accessible communication formats. (2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence. (3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction— (a) in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine or to both; (b) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both. (4) In the case of a registered party or its officers, a contravention of subsection (1) is an illegal practice.”
“(3) In the case of a candidate or election agent, a contravention of subsection (1) is an illegal practice. (4) For the purposes of subsection (1)— “accessible communications format” means a format which enables a person with a disability to access the information concerned as feasibly and comfortably as a person who does not have that disability, “language native to the British Isles” means a language specified by the Secretary of State in regulations. (5) Regulations under subsection (4) are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.” (3) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsection (4) below.”
“(2) After section 110 (details to appear on election publications) insert— “110ZA Election publications to be in languages native to the British Isles only (1) A person shall not print or publish, or cause to be printed or published, any bill, placard, poster or printed document to which section 110(1) of this Act applies unless the material is in English, Welsh, a language native to the British Isles or accessible communication formats. (2) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction— (a) in England and Wales, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine or to both; (b) in Scotland or Northern Ireland, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or to both.”
“(1D) The Commission shall carry out programmes of teacher training and continuing professional development for the purposes of providing programmes under subsection (1B).” (3) For subsection (2) substitute— “(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) and (1B), a system is “pending” when arrangements for giving effect to it have been made by any enactment but the arrangements are not yet in force.”” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to carry out education programmes for young people ahead of being eligible to vote, and training for educators on providing such information. New clause 119— Election material only in languages native to the British Isles — “(1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsection (2).”
“(1C) Programmes under subsection (1B) must include— (a) information to enable them to register and vote as soon as they become eligible to do so; (b) media literacy, as set out in section 11(1) (duties to promote media literacy) of the Communications Act 2003; (c) political confidence and electoral participation among disadvantaged groups, including— (i) girls and young women; (ii) people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, (iii) ethnic minority groups, (iv) disabled people; and (v) any other groups facing barriers to political and electoral participation identified by the Commission; (d) such matters connected with any such existing or pending systems as the Commission may determine.”
“(2) After subsection (1) insert— “(1B) The Commission shall carry out programmes of education to promote awareness of children aged 13 and over of current electoral systems in the United Kingdom and any pending such systems.”
“(3) Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) registered political parties, (b) the Electoral Commission, and (c) any other persons who the Secretary of State thinks necessary. (4) Any regulations made under this section must be made under the affirmative procedure.” This new clause prevents companies from donating to political parties, and requires the Government to bring forward regulations to prevent companies from donating to other regulated donees. New clause 118— Education about electoral and democratic systems in schools — (1) Section 13 of PPERA 2000 (education about electoral and democratic systems) is amended as follows.”