Caroline Nokes
MP for Romsey and Southampton North · Conservative · United Kingdom
“I was overseas when the tributes to the Clerk of the House were made last week, so I would just like to correct the Minister: the Clerk of the House cannot be very long serving, because he is clearly an incredibly young man and far too young to retire. I add my thanks to him for all the support and help he has given me in this role.”
House of Commons29 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I will now announce the result of today’s deferred Divisions. On the draft Railways (Interoperability in Northern Ireland) (Convention on International Carriage by Rail) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, the Ayes were 345 and the Noes were 108, so the Ayes have it.”
House of Commons21 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of his point of order. He will know that the Chair is not responsible for Ministers’ remarks in the Chamber, but I am sure that Members on the Treasury Bench will have heard his comments and that if a correction is needed, one will be made. Petition”
House of Commons20 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I will now announce the results of today’s deferred Divisions. On the draft ACAS Code of Practice on Time Off for Trade Union Duties and Activities, the Ayes were 328, the Noes were 114, so the Ayes have it.”
House of Commons14 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“I thank the hon. Member for his point of order. He will know—as, indeed, will the whole House—how important it is for Ministers to provide timely responses to correspondence from Members. Those on the Treasury Bench will have heard his concerns, and I note that it is the Leader of the House who is listening to this.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“We now come to the first Select Committee statement. The Chair of the Procedure Committee, the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre (Cat Smith), will speak for up to 10 minutes, during which time no interventions may be taken. At the conclusion of her statement, Members may ask questions on the subject of the statement.”
House of Commons12 October 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
The complete record
5,492 held · 5,468 searchable for Caroline Nokes. The searchable lines are below in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 10.
This is not an official version of UK Parliament proceedings. It reproduces the published record and links to it; the official version is the one UK Parliament publishes.
“(12) In section 95C (related offences), in subsection (2), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (13) In section 99 (declaration by responsible person as to return as to controlled expenditure), in subsection (4)(a), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (14) In section 99A (declaration by responsible person as to statement of accounts), in subsection (3)(a), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(9) In section 83 (declaration by treasurer as to return relating to campaign expenditure), in subsection (3)(a), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (10) In section 86 (notional controlled expenditure), in subsection (8), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (11) In section 94F (authorised expenditure in excess of targeted expenditure limit), in subsection (6), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(6) In section 66 (declaration by treasurer in donation report), in subsection (5), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (7) In section 71T (declaration by treasurer in transaction report), in subsection (5), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (8) In section 73 (notional campaign expenditure), in subsection (8), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) In section 44 (supplementary provisions about auditors), in subsection (4), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (4) In section 54A (declaration as to source of donation), in subsection (5), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”. (5) In section 54B (declaration as to whether residence etc condition satisfied), in subsection (3), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed (and section 80 is to be construed accordingly).” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to exercise the power to commence section 9(2) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 which inserts section 54A into the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, which requires declarations to be provided as to the source of donations. New clause 99— Offences relating to election expense returns: reduction in threshold — “(1) The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 is amended as follows. (2) In section 39 (false statements: offence), in subsection (1), for “knowingly or recklessly makes” substitute “knows or suspects, or has reasonable grounds for knowing or suspecting, that he is making”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) A financial institution to whom a disclosure notice is given shall comply with it within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice. (3) In this paragraph, “financial institution” has the same meaning as in Schedule 6 to the Terrorism Act 2000 (see paragraph 6 of that Schedule).”” This new clause gives the Electoral Commission the power to require information from a financial institution relating to the income and expenditure of political parties and associated individuals. New clause 98— Commencement of section 9(2) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 — “(1) By 1 July 2027, the Secretary of State must exercise the power in section 43(1) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 to bring into force section 9(2) of that Act (declaration as to source of donation).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“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 notice to a financial institution requiring the institution— (a) to produce, for inspection by the Commission or a person authorised by the Commission, any documents which— (i) relate to the income and expenditure of an organisation or individual to which paragraph 1 applies, and (ii) are reasonably required by the Commission for the purposes of carrying out their functions; or (b) to provide the Commission, or a person authorised by the Commission, with any information or explanation which relates to that income and expenditure and is reasonably required by the Commission for those purposes.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2ZB) For the purposes of subsection (2ZA)— (a) whether a person qualifies as an overseas elector is to be determined in accordance with section 1A of the Representation of the People Act 1985; (b) whether a person was at any time resident in the UK for tax purposes is to be determined in accordance with Schedule 45 to the Finance Act 2013.”” This new clause limits permissible donors who are overseas electors to those who have previously been resident in the UK for tax purposes, have a Unique Taxpayer Reference and holds funds that may be taxed in the UK which have a value of at least the amount to be donated.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) After subsection (2) insert— “(2ZA) An individual registered in an electoral register who at the date of a donation qualifies as an overseas elector in respect of a constituency is only a permissible donor for the purposes of this Part if— (a) the individual was at any time resident in the UK for tax purposes, (b) the individual has a Unique Taxpayer Reference, and (c) the individual holds, and has held for at least the past 12 months, sufficient funds that may be charged to tax in the United Kingdom that are at least equivalent to the value of the donation.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence subject to the same sanction as an offence under section 54A (declaration as to the source of a donation).”” This new clause prevents loans being provided to registered parties and regulated donees where the financing of the transaction derives from the proceeds of crime or is provided by a person who is not resident in the UK and is not registered on the electoral register, and creates related declarations. New clause 96— Permissible electors to include overseas electors with previous tax residence etc — “(1) Section 54 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (permissible donors) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (2)(a), at the end insert “(but this is subject to subsection (2ZA))”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The criteria in this subsection are— (a) that the financing of the regulated transaction does not directly or indirectly derive from money or other benefit that constitutes "criminal property" within the meaning of section 340 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and (b) that the donation does not directly or indirectly derive from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom and not registered in an electoral register, and was provided with a view to the making of the donation. (3) A declaration under this section must also state the full name and address of the person by whom it is made.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(c) that the financing of the regulated transaction does not directly or indirectly derive from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom and not registered in an electoral register, and was provided with a view to providing finance for the transaction.” (3) After section 71HZA (declaration that residence etc condition is satisfied) insert— “71HZB Declaration regarding the source of finance for regulated transactions (1) A registered party or regulated donee must not be party to a regulated transaction unless they have received a written declaration from the other party to the transaction where that party is an individual stating that to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief, that the transaction meets the criteria set out in subsection (2).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 95— Acceptance of regulated transactions — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as follows. (2) After section 71G (valuation of regulated transactions) insert— “71GAA Conditions for being a party to a regulated transaction (1) A registered political party or other regulated donee must not be party to a regulated transaction if— (a) without prejudice to Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“the 2002 Act”), the party or regulated donee knows or ought reasonably to have known that the financing of the regulated transaction is through the use of “criminal property” within the meaning of section 340 of the 2002 Act, or (b) the financing of the regulated transaction derives from money or other benefit where there is a reasonable suspicion that it comes from the proceeds of crime.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 94— Government proposals to require declarations as to the source of a donation: money derived from cryptocurrency — “Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament proposals to require— (a) any person who causes a donation, loan, or other regulated transaction to be received by a political party to make a declaration that they have not converted cryptocurrency into fiat currency for the purposes of avoiding the restrictions of section 55A (cryptoassets) of PPERA 2000; and (b) for any donation not accompanied by such a declaration to be returned to the donor.” This new clause is intended to require the Government to bring forward proposals to require people who donate to registered parties to declare that they have not converted money from cryptocurrency to fiat currency to avoid the restrictions.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(1D) Regulations to which subsection (1B) applies are not to be made unless a draft of the regulations has been laid before Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.””” This new clause prevents donations to parties and candidates where the donation derives from the proceeds of crime or is provided by a person who is not resident in the UK and is not registered on the electoral register, and creates related declarations and verification requirements.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(1B) The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Electoral Commission, make regulations exercisable by statutory instrument providing what the duty in subsection (1), to take all reasonable steps, requires. (1C) Any regulations made under subsection (1B) may contain such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate and may make different provision for different cases.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence subject to the same sanction as an offence under section 54A (declaration as to the source of a donation).” (6) After subsection 56(1) (acceptance or return of donations) of PPERA 2000, insert— “(1A) The duty in subsection (1) shall include a duty to take all reasonable steps to verify that— (a) the donation does not derive directly or indirectly from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom and not registered in an electoral register, and was provided with a view to the making of the donation or loan; and (b) without prejudice to Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“the 2002 Act”), the donation does not constitute “criminal property” within the meaning of section 340 of the 2002 Act.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The criteria in this subsection are— (a) that the donation does not constitute “criminal property” within the meaning of section 340 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and (b) that the donation does not directly or indirectly derive from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom and not registered in an electoral register, and was provided with a view to the making of the donation. (3) A declaration under this section must also state the full name and address of the person by whom it is made and, where subsection (1)(b) applies— (a) state that the person is authorised by P to make the declaration; (b) describe the person's role or position in relation to P.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) In paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983, after sub-paragraph (b) insert— “(c) without prejudice to Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“the 2002 Act”), the candidate or his election agent knows, or ought reasonably to have known that the donation constitutes “criminal property” within the meaning of section 340 of the 2002 Act.” (3) After subsection Section 54 (permissible donors) of PPERA 2000 insert— “(2A) A person who would otherwise fall under section 54(2) is not a permissible donor if their donation derives directly or indirectly from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom and not registered in an electoral register, and which was provided with a view to the making of the donation.” (4) In paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 2A to the Representation of the People Act 1983, after sub-paragraph (b) insert— “(c) the donation derives directly or indirectly from money or other benefit provided by a person who is resident outside the United Kingdom, and not registered in an electoral register, and which was provided with a view to the making of the donation.” (5) After section 54A of PPERA 2000 (declaration as to source of donation) insert— “54AA Declaration as to source of a donation or loan: criminal property and proceeds of crime (1) Where a person (P) causes an amount to be received by a registered party by way of a donation, a written declaration must be given to the party— (a) by P, if P is an individual, or (b) if not, by an individual authorised by P to make the declaration, stating that the donation or loan, to the best of the individual’s knowledge and belief, meets the criteria set out in subsection (2).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 93— Impermissible donations and donors — “(1) After section 54 of PPERA 2000, insert— “54A Impermissible donations: criminal property and proceeds of crime (1) A donation received by a registered party or regulated donee, must not be accepted by that recipient if— (a) without prejudice to Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (“the 2002 Act”), the party or regulated donee knows or ought reasonably to have known that the donation constitutes “criminal property” within the meaning of section 340 of the 2002 Act, or (b) the donation derives from money or other benefit where there is a reasonable suspicion that it comes from the proceeds of crime.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) After subsection (2) insert— “(2A) An individual who would otherwise fall within subsection (2)(a) is not a permissible donor if that individual— (a) is currently registered as an overseas elector; and (b) that registration as an overseas elector has been for a continuous period exceeding five years. (2B) For the purpose of this section, an “overseas elector” is a person who fulfils the requirements for an overseas elector in section 1 (extension of parliamentary franchise) of the RPA 1985”” This new clause would prevent overseas electors who have been registered as such for more than five years from being a permissible donor.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The declaration must be— (a) in the prescribed form, (b) signed by the person, and (c) delivered at the place and within the time for the delivery of nomination papers.”” This new clause would require sexual offenders who are subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to declare this requirement as part of the candidate nomination process. New clause 92— Permissible donors not to include overseas electors registered for periods exceeding five years — “(1) Section 54 of PPERA 2000 (permissible donors) is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 91— Declaration of notification requirements for registered sex offenders — “(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows. (2) After rule 8 (consent to nomination) insert— “(8A) Declaration of notification requirements for registered sex offenders (1) A person convicted and sentenced for a sexual offence or sexual offences under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 must declare whether they are required to comply with the sexual offences notification regime as part of the nomination process, otherwise that person is not validly nominated.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(c) provision for certain exemptions to be made for those who are prevented from participating in an election as a , including— (i) those with a physical or mental incapacity, illness, or disability, (ii) those who are absent from the UK, and (iii) those with a sincerely held conscientious or religious belief (d) provision for pilots of compulsory voting in connection with any pilots undertaken under Section 20 of this Act (power to pilot changes to the voter registration process).” This new clause would require the Secretary of State to bring forward proposals for compulsory voting, including piloting compulsory voting in connection with any pilots of changes to voter registration process.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Proposals published under this section relating to compulsory voting must include— (a) provision for electors to be able to mark an abstention, either through returning a spoilt or blank ballot; (b) provision for the failure to vote to be punishable through a penalty fine of £10.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) Proposals published under this section must include proposals for the Royal Commission’s— (a) terms of reference, (b) membership, and (c) funding.” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to put forward proposals to establish a Royal Commission to consider and make recommendations for a cap on political donations, as well as the effectiveness of existing campaign expenditure limits. New clause 89— Compulsory voting — “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months of section 17 (registration without an application) of this Act coming into force, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament proposals for introducing compulsory duty to vote at UK parliamentary elections and local elections in England for individuals who are registered to vote.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 88— Proposals for a Royal Commission on political donations and campaign expenditure — “(1) Within three months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish proposals for the establishment of a Royal Commission to consider— (a) the merits of a cap on political donations, and the level at which such a cap should be set, and (b) the effectiveness of existing limits on campaign expenditure, including the appropriateness of the time period during which those limits apply. (2) Any proposals made under this section must specify that the Royal Commission should publish its recommendations for a cap on political donations within twelve months of being established.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 87— Randomised listing of names on ballot papers — “(1) Representation of the People (Ballot Paper) Regulations 2015 is amended as follows. (2) In Schedule 2, at end insert— “14 The order of candidate surnames on ballot papers where more than one candidate is to be elected must be listed using a randomised system rather than names being listed alphabetically.”” This new clause would require the order of names on ballot papers for UK Parliamentary elections to be determined and listed using a randomised system.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) In section 54 (permissible donors), subsection (1)— (a) omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (aa) (both as inserted by section 9(1) of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 and as substituted by section 10(1) of that Act); (b) after that paragraph insert— “(ab) the person by whom the donation is to be made is using the Foreign Income and Gains regime to claim tax relief on— (i) income and gains arising from outside the UK; or (ii) UK income or gains deemed to be foreign under the qualifying asset holding company rules.”” This new clause would mean that donations could not be accepted by parties if a donor was using the Foreign Income and Gains regime to claim tax relief on foreign income.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 86— Impermissible donations where donor’s income is not subject to UK tax liability — “(1) Part 4 of PPERA 2000 (control of donations to registered parties and their members etc) is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 84— Party descriptions in the form of instructions to voters — “After subparagraph (2)(g) of section 28A of PPERA 2000 (descriptions) insert— “(h) could be interpreted as an instruction to an elector on how to cast their vote.”” This new clause would prevent a candidate from registering a party description that could be interpreted as an instruction to an elector in how to cast their vote. New clause 85— Permissible donors not to include overseas voters — “At the end of subsection 54(2)(a) of PPERA (permissible donors) insert — “and who is not qualified to vote as an overseas elector under section 1 (extension of parliamentary franchise) of the RPA 1985” This new clause would prevent donations being received from overseas voters.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(8) For the purposes of this section a “regulated user-to-user service” has the meaning given in subsection 4(4) of the Online Safety Act 2023 (“regulated service”, “part 3 service” etc).” This new clause would require the Government to bring forward proposals for the regulation of election-related content of regulated user-to-user services, as defined in the Online Safety Act 2023, during parliamentary elections and local Government elections.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(6) In preparing proposals under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Electoral Commission, (b) Ofcom, (c) representatives of broadcasters subject to the Broadcasting Code, (d) representatives of operators of regulated user-to-user services; (e) representatives of registered political parties; and (f) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (7) The Secretary of State must lay the proposals before both Houses of Parliament.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Proposals under subsection (1) must include measures to require regulated user-to-user services to— (a) have regard to fairness and public confidence in specified elections in relation to the publication and promotion of content on the service; and (b) remove content that is deliberately false or misleading relating to specified elections as quickly as is reasonably possible. (5) In preparing proposals under subsection (1), the Secretary of State must have regard to— (a) The operation of the Online Safety Act 2023 with regard to regulated user-to-user services; and (b) The operation of section 6 of the Ofcom Broadcasting Code as established by section 319 (OFCOM’s standards code) of the Communications Act 2003 (“the Broadcasting Code”).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The specified elections for the purposes of subsection (1) are— (a) UK parliamentary elections, and (b) local government elections in England and Wales. (3) The election periods for the purpose of subsection (1) are— (a) in the case of a parliamentary election, the period between the issuance of a writ and the closure of polling, as set out in paragraph 1 (timetable) of schedule 1 of RPA 1983; or (b) in the case of a local election, the period between the publication of the notice of election and the closure of polling, as set out in schedules 2 (rules for conduct of an election of councillors of a principal area where poll is not taken together with poll at another election) and schedule 3 (rules for conduct of an election of councillors of a principal area where the poll is taken together with the poll at a relevant election or referendum) of the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5B) For the purposes of subsection (5) a “regulated user-to-user service” has the meaning given in subsection 4(4) of the Online Safety Act 2023 (“regulated service”, “part 3 service” etc).”” This new clause would enable operators of regulated user-to-user services, as defined in the Online Safety Act 2023, to be held liable for false statements relating to election candidates and activity amounting to undue influence in elections, if not swiftly removed from the service. New clause 83— Proposals for regulation of social media during specified elections — “(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish proposals for the regulation of content relating to specified elections on regulated user-to-user services during election periods.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(7) In subsection (5) after (c) insert— “(d) on a regulated user-to-user service operated by or on behalf of P” (8) After subsection (5) insert— “(5A) It is a defence for a person charged under subsection (1) in connection with an activity under subsection 5(d) if the person is alerted by a person to the presence of any such activity on the regulated user-to-user service, or becomes aware of it in any other way, and removes such activity as soon as is reasonably practicable.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) After subsection (7) insert— “(7A) It is a defence for a person charged under subsection (1) in connection with the hosting on a regulated user-to-user service if the person is alerted by a person to the presence of any activity on the regulated user-to-user service, or becomes aware of it in any other way, and removes such activity as soon as is reasonably practicable.” (5) After subsection (9) insert— “(10) For the purposes of this section a “regulated user-to-user service” has the meaning given in subsection 4(4) of the Online Safety Act 2023 (“regulated service”, “part 3 service” etc).” (6) Section 114A (undue influence) is amended as set out in subsection (7) to (8).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 82— Liability for false statements as to candidates and undue influence on regulated user-to-user services— “(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows. (2) Section 106 (false statements as to candidates) is amended as set out in subsections (3) to (5). (3) In subsection (1) after “makes” insert “hosts on a regulated user-to-user service”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 81— Removal of requirement to publish candidates’ addresses “(1) Schedule 1 of RPA 1983 is amended as follows. (2) In rule 6 (nomination of candidates) omit paragraphs (5) and (6). (3) In rule 14 (publication of statement of persons nominated)— “(a) In paragraph (2) for “addresses” substitute “a statement of— “(a) where the candidate’s home address is in the United Kingdom, the constituency or the relevant area within which that address is situated; (b) where the candidate’s home address is outside the United Kingdom, the country within which that address is situated;” (b) After paragraph (2) insert— “(2ZA) In paragraph (2)(a), “relevant area” means— “(a) in relation to a home address in England— (i) if the address is within a district for which there is a district council, that district; (ii) if the address is within a county in which there are no districts with councils, that county; (iii) if the address is within a London borough, that London borough; (iv) if the address is within the City of London (including the Inner and Middle Temples), the City of London; (v) if the address is within the Isles of Scilly, the Isles of Scilly; (b) in relation to a home address in Wales— (i) if the address is within a county, that county; (ii) if the address is within a county borough, that county borough; (c) in relation to a home address in Scotland, the local government area in which the address is situated; (d) in relation to a home address in Northern Ireland, the local government district in which the address is situated.”” (c) Omit paragraph (3A)” (4) In rule 14A (correction of minor errors) omit subparagraph (2)(c).” This new clause would remove the requirement for candidates’ addresses to be published, replacing it with a statement of the constituency, relevant area or country outside the UK in which they are resident.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
““relevant person” for the purposes of subsection 55B(2) means— (a) in the case of a political party, the Treasurer; (b) in the case of a recognised third party, the responsible person; (c) in the case of a regulated donee, that person; and (d) in the case of a candidate, that person.” (7) 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 summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment : fine or 1 year Section 55B On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year Section 55D(3) (declaration as to compliance with the donations cap) On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months On indictment: fine or 1 year” The purpose of this new clause is to introduce a cap on the amount any individual or organisation can give to a political party, candidate, third party campaigner or regulated donee within a calendar year, together with related offences, through amendment to PPERA 2000.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) In section 56(1) (acceptance or return of donations: general), leave out from “ascertain)” to the end of the subsection and insert— (a) the identity of the donor; (b) whether they are a permissible donor, and (if that appears to be the case) all such details in respect of him as are required by virtue of paragraph 2 or 2A of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation; (c) whether the donation exceeds the donations cap.” (3) In section 56(2), after "by virtue of section 54(1)" insert— “or section 55B” (4) After section 56(2) insert— 56 “(2A) Where subsection (2) applies and only part of a donation exceeds the donation cap, the party may retain the amount that does not exceed the donations cap.” (5) In section 61(1) (offences concerned with evasion of restrictions on donations), after "other than a permissible donor" insert— “, or which facilitates or is likely to facilitate a breach of section 55A (cap on donations)” (6) In section 160 (general interpretation)— (a) after "“organisation” includes any body corporate and any combination of persons or other unincorporated association;” insert— ““political fund” means a political fund maintained by a trade union under Part I of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992;” (b) after "registered party" means a party registered under Part II of this Act;" insert— ““relevant regulated entity” means— (a) a registered party within the meaning of Part II of this Act; (b) a recognised third party within the meaning of Part VI of this Act; (c) a regulated donee within the meaning of Schedule 7 of this Act; (d) a candidate standing for a relevant election within the meaning of section 22(5) of this Act; (e) an unincorporated association making political contributions within the meaning of Schedule 19A.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55F Verification by directors, members and persons of signification control of political donations by companies and limited liability partnerships (1) A company or limited liability partnership must not make a donation until they have verified with their directors, members, shareholders and people with significant control that doing so would not exceed the donations cap.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) For the purposes of this section, the relevant persons connected with a limited liability partnership are— (a) members of the limited liability partnership, and (b) persons with significant control over the limited liability partnership. (4) This section applies in addition to, and not in place of, any donation made by the relevant person in their own capacity. (5) This section does not apply to companies with voting shares admitted to trading on a UK regulated market or an EU regulated market within the meaning of section 1173 (minor definitions: general) of the Companies Act 2006.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55E Attribution of donations connected with companies and limited liability partnerships (1) For the purposes of section 55A (cap on donations)— (a) a donation made by a company or limited liability partnership is to be treated as made by each relevant person connected with that company or limited liability partnership, and (b) a donation made by a relevant person is to be treated as made by each company or limited liability partnership with which that person is connected. (2) For the purposes of this section, the relevant persons connected with a company are— (a) members of the company, (b) directors of the company, (c) shareholders of the company, and (d) persons with significant control over the company within the meaning of Part 21A of the Companies Act 2006.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) A declaration under this section must also state the full name and address of the person by whom it is made and, where subsection (1)(b) applies— (a) state that the person is authorised by P to make the declaration; (b) describe the person's role or position in relation to P; and (c) where relevant, that they have complied with the requirements of section 55F (verification by directors, members and persons of significant control of political donations by companies and limited liability partnerships). (3) A person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this section commits an offence. (4) The Commission may by regulations prescribe a form of declaration which may be used for the purposes of this section, and other declarations donors are required to give to a relevant regulated entity by virtue of this Act.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55D Declaration as to compliance with the donations cap (1) Where a person (P) causes an amount to be received by a relevant regulated entity by way of a donation, a written declaration must be given to the relevant regulated entity— (a) by P, if P is an individual, or (b) if not, by an individual authorised by P to make the declaration, stating, to the best of the individual's knowledge and belief, the donation does not exceed the donations cap under section 55A (cap on donations).”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) When requested by a relevant regulated entity for the purpose of complying with section 56(1) (acceptance or return of donations: general), a donor must provide copies of all receipts received by them within that calendar year. (4) Donors and relevant regulated entities must retain copies of receipts issued or received under this section for a period of 5 years. (5) When requested by a relevant regulated entity for the purpose of complying with section 56(1) (acceptance or return of donations: general), the Electoral Commission must provide a unique identifier to the relevant regulated entity.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“55C Receipts for donations (1) A relevant regulated entity must, within the period of 30 days beginning with the relevant date, provide the donor with a receipt which states— (a) the name of the relevant regulated entity, and any unique identifier given to it by the Electoral Commission; (b) the amount of the donation received; (c) the amount of the donation accepted or returned; and (d) the date on which the donation was accepted or returned. (2) The relevant date for the purposes of subsection (1) is— (a) where the donation is accepted, the date of acceptance; or (b) where the donation is returned, the date of return.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) A person who contravenes subsection (1) and who knew or ought reasonably to have known their donation exceeded the donations cap commits an offence. 55B Prohibition on accepting donations in excess of the cap (1) A relevant regulated entity must not accept a donation that, individually or in aggregate with other donations from that donor, exceeds the donations cap under section 55A. (2) A relevant person or unincorporated association that contravenes subsection (1) and who knew or ought reasonably to have known that the accepting a donation would exceed the donations cap under section 55A commits an offence.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗