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 ↗
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“(7) In rule 6A (nomination papers: name of registered political party), at the end insert— “(4) A registered political party is under a duty to ensure that a candidate has made the declaration required by rule 8A, and a certificate under paragraph (1) or (1B) may not be issued by or on behalf of the registered nominating officer of the party in respect of a candidate unless this duty has been discharged.”’” This new clause would require candidates to declare gifts or benefits worth over £5000, except from immediate family, during the 12 months before nomination to be validly nominated, It also places a duty on parties to ensure candidates have made this declaration before authorising them to stand on their behalf.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) The conditions are that— (a) the gift or benefit is not being transferred, either directly or indirectly, from any third person; and (b) the gift or benefit is not made or used in connection with the person’s nomination or any other political activity. (6) For the purposes of this rule “immediate family member” means a spouse, civil partner, partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) For the purposes of this rule, a gift or benefit means— (a) any gift to the person of money or other property; (b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the person; (c) any money lent to the person otherwise than on commercial terms; (d) any money spent in paying any expenses incurred directly or indirectly by the person; or (e) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the person; whether or not made in connection with the person’s nomination. (4) A gift or benefit is not required to be declared under sub-paragraph (1) if it is provided by an immediate family member of the person and the conditions in sub-paragraph (5) are met.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) After rule 8 (consent to nomination) insert— ‘ Declaration of certain gifts and benefits prior to nomination (1) A person is not validly nominated unless the person makes a declaration stating— (a) whether they have received in the 12 months preceding the declaration, or are currently in receipt of, gifts or benefits from a single source which are individually or cumulatively of a value exceeding £5000 (“a qualifying gift or benefit”); (b) the value of any qualifying gift or benefit; and (c) the source of any qualifying gift or benefit. (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.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 53— Third party campaigning: meaning of “controlled expenditure”— “(1) Section 85 of PPERA 2000 (controlled expenditure by third parties) is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (2)(b) substitute “can reasonably be regarded as intended to promote or procure” with “is incurred with a view to promoting or procuring”. (3) Omit subsection (4A).” This new clause would amend the definition of “controlled expenditure” so that expenditure will only be “controlled expenditure” if the intention of a relevant third party is to promote or procure electoral success for registered parties or candidates. New clause 54— Declaration of gifts and benefits— “(1) Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) The Electoral Commission may revise the Campaign Code from time to time, and subsections (1) to (4) apply to a revised Campaign Code as they apply to the original. (6) Electoral advertising as defined in this Part is regulated under the Electoral Advertising Code of Practice and subject to enforcement by the Electoral Advertising Code Committee. (7) This Part applies in relation to elections and referendums for which provision may be made by an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament.” This new clause would establish a Code of Conduct for Political Campaigning. It is connected to NC49 to NC51. The reference in this new clause to “this Part” is a reference to a new Part which would be formed of NC49 to NC51.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) In this section “political campaigning” means any conduct, communications or other activity which can reasonably be regarded as intended, directly or indirectly, to influence public support for, or opposition to— (a) a registered political party, (b) a candidate or prospective candidate at a general election, by-election, local election or mayoral election, or (c) an outcome in a referendum. (4) Before preparing or revising the Campaign Code, the Electoral Commission must carry out such consultation as it considers appropriate and must in particular consult— (a) representatives of parties appointed to the Parliamentary Parties Panel in accordance with section 4 (parliamentary parties panel) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and (b) such other persons as the Electoral Commission considers appropriate.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(12) Failure to comply with the Campaign Code or the Advertising Code does not of itself give rise to criminal liability.” This new clause is connected to NC49, NC50 and NC52. New clause 52— Code of Conduct for Political Campaigning— “(1) The Electoral Commission must prepare and publish a Code of Conduct for Political Campaigning (“the Campaign Code”). (2) The Campaign Code must set out principles and guidance relating to political campaigning and must in particular include provisions relating to— (a) honesty in political debate and reasonable efforts to not mislead voters, and (b) the avoidance of intimidation, harassment or abusive conduct.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(9) In deciding whether to impose a civil sanction under subsection (8)(e), the Electoral Commission must have regard to— (a) the findings and recommendations of the Committee, and (b) any enforcement action taken in relation to the same conduct under any other enactment. (10) Where the Electoral Commission imposes a civil sanction following a referral from the Committee, it must publish a notice setting out— (a) the nature of the breach, (b) the sanction imposed, and (c) the reasons for the sanction. (11) A person on whom a civil sanction is imposed under subsection (8)(e) may appeal in accordance with the appeal provisions under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(8) Where the Committee considers that electoral advertising is inconsistent with the Advertising Code, it may take the following steps which it considers reasonable to secure compliance— (a) issuing a notice requiring the person responsible to amend, withdraw or substantiate the advertising within a specified period, (b) publishing a formal finding of non-compliance on its website [and in the repository of political adverts], (c) requiring the publication of a correction, clarification or updated version of the advertising with similar prominence where practicable, (d) notifying relevant online services or publishers and requesting prompt suspension or removal of advertising during the regulated period, and (e) referring repeated or serious breaches to the Electoral Commission to impose civil sanctions in accordance with its powers under Schedule 19C to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) The Committee may, by written notice, require a person to provide information or documents reasonably required for the purposes of investigating a suspected breach of the Advertising Code. (6) A person must comply with a requirement under subsection (5) unless the person has a reasonable excuse. (7) If, on an application by the Committee, a court is satisfied that a person has failed to comply with a requirement under subsection (5), the court may make an order requiring the person to provide the Committee with— (a) information referred to in the notice, and (b) other information which the court is satisfied the Committee requires.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) The following persons, when engaged in electoral advertising, must comply with the Advertising Code— (a) registered political parties, (b) members of the House of Commons, (c) members of any local authority in any part of the United Kingdom, (d) members of the Greater London Assembly, (e) candidates or prospective candidates at a United Kingdom general election, by-election, local authority election, Greater London Authority election or mayoral election, (f) recognised third parties within the meaning of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and (g) election agents within the meaning of the Representation of the People Act 1983.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) A registered political party must prepare, publish and keep under review a code of conduct relating to its political campaigning. (3) A code under subsection (2) must be consistent with the Campaign Code and must in particular include provisions relating to— (a) honesty in political debate and reasonable efforts to not mislead voters, and (b) the avoidance of intimidation, harassment or abusive conduct.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(12) The Secretary of State must, within the period of 6 months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed, carry out a consultation on a levy on registered political parties’ election advertising spend for the purpose of funding the Electoral Advertising Code Committee. (13) In carrying out the consultation, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Electoral Commission, (b) representatives of registered political parties, and (c) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to establish an Electoral Advertising Code Committee. It is connected to NC49, NC51 and NC52. New clause 51— Status of the Campaign Code and enforcement of the Advertising Code— “(1) Persons engaged in political campaigning must have regard to the Campaign Code.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(8) In making the appointment, the Electoral Commission must have regard to the need to secure the independence of the Committee. (9) A person appointed as Chair holds office— (a) for a single non-renewable term of five years from the date of appointment, and (b) in accordance with terms and conditions (including as to remuneration and pension) specified by the Electoral Commission. (10) The Chair may resign from office by giving written notice to the Electoral Commission. (11) The Electoral Commission must pay to the Committee the sums determined by the Chair as appropriate for, or in connection with, the carrying out of the Committee’s functions.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) The Committee is to consist of— (a) a Chair, (b) a member nominated by the Electoral Commission, (c) a member nominated by the Advertising Standards Authority or its successor body, (d) a member nominated by the Office of Communications, and (e) a member nominated by the United Kingdom Statistics Authority. (5) Nothing in this Part limits the powers of the bodies identified in subsection (4) under any other enactment. (6) The Chair is to be appointed by the Electoral Commission following a fair and open competition conducted in accordance with the Public Appointments Code, with a majority of independent members on the assessment panel and a senior independent panel member. (7) The appointment of the Chair requires the consent of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, which must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“It is connected to NC50, NC51 and NC52. New clause 50— Electoral Advertising Code Committee— “(1) The Electoral Commission must establish an Electoral Advertising Code Committee (“the Committee”). (2) The functions of the Committee are— (a) to advise the Electoral Commission on the preparation and revision of the Advertising Code, (b) to adjudicate on alleged breaches of the Advertising Code, and (c) to oversee the operation of and monitor the effectiveness of the Advertising Code. (3) In exercising functions under this Part, the Committee must have regard to the importance of freedom of political expression and open democratic debate, and will not determine matters of political opinion unless they fall within the scope of factual claims in electoral advertising.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) In this section “electoral advertising” means any factual claims in marketing communications, whenever published or distributed, whose principal function is to influence voters in a local, regional, national or international election or referendum. (4) Before preparing or revising the Advertising Code, the Electoral Commission must carry out such consultation as it considers appropriate and must in particular consult— (a) the Electoral Advertising Code Committee, (b) representatives of parties appointed to the Parliamentary Parties Panel in accordance with section 4 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and (c) such other persons as the Electoral Commission considers appropriate.” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to produce an Electoral Advertising Code of Practice.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 49—Electoral Advertising Code of Practice— “(1) The Electoral Commission must prepare and publish an Electoral Advertising Code of Practice (“the Advertising Code”). (2) The Advertising Code must include principles and guidance relating to electoral advertising and must in particular include provisions relating to— (a) ensuring the accuracy of factual claims, (b) the need for relevant and reliable evidence to substantiate factual claims, (c) the need to clearly identify the political party affiliated with an advert, (d) transparency in the use of artificial intelligence, and (e) issuing prompt public corrections to address mistakes.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(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 candidate without assistance; and (b) audio equipment that enables the voter to access and review the content of the ballot paper in the language in which it is printed without assistance.” (4) After paragraph (3A) insert— “(3AA) For the purposes of paragraph (3A)(b), a person is able to vote independently and in secret only if they are not required to rely on the assistance of the presiding officer, companion, or any other person to navigate, review and mark the ballot paper.”” This new clause would require certain equipment to be provided to people who find it difficult or impossible to vote because they are blind, partially sighted, or because of another disability in order for them to be able to vote independently and in secret.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 48— Blind and partially sighted voters: equipment and secret voting— “(1) Rule 29 (equipment of polling stations) of Schedule 1 to RPA 1983 (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows. (2) In paragraph (3)(a), at end insert— “independently and in secret”.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(6) For the purposes of this section, “generative artificial intelligence” means a computer system or software that— (a) is capable of producing text, images, audio, video, or other content autonomously, wholly or substantially, based on prompts or instructions provided by a user; (b) uses machine learning or other algorithmic techniques to generate content that mimics human-created material; and (c) may produce content that is not pre-existing but is synthesized based on patterns learned from existing data.”” This new clause requires campaign material which has been generated by generative artificial intelligence to include a statement to that effect along with the name of the system used. It creates a power for the Government to make regulations about the information to be included.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Electronic material to which this section applies must not be published unless it includes the following information— (a) a statement that content was wholly generated by a generative artificial intelligence system; (b) the name of the system used to generate the content. (3) The Secretary of State may, by regulations, specify— (a) additional requirements for information to be required under subsection (2); (b) the form in which the information required under subsection (2) is to be provided. (4) The form prescribed by regulations under subsection (3)(b) must be a form which can be detected and processed by regulated user-to-user services for the purpose of providing the required information to users of such services. (5) Any regulations made under subsection (3) must be laid before and agreed by both Houses of Parliament.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 47— Information to be included with electronic material: data provenance— “After Section 41 (requirement to include information with electronic material) of the Elections Act 2022 insert— “Requirement to include information with electronic material created through generative artificial intelligence (1) This section applies to electronic material which— (a) meets the conditions in section 42 (paid for electronic material), or (b) meets the conditions in section 44 (other electronic material), and has been generated wholly through generative artificial intelligence.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(6) The Secretary of State must lay a report of the review before both Houses of Parliament, together with their response to any recommendations for legislative or regulatory reform.” This new clause requires the government to establish a review of the “regulated periods” in relation to elections which would consider whether the length of the regulated periods are sufficient in relation to the prevalence of manipulated content, misinformation and disinformation.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) The review must consider the following— (a) the impact of campaign activity outside the relevant regulated period on elections; (b) whether the length of the regulated periods are sufficient to tackle the prevalence of— (i) manipulated content, (ii) misinformation, (iii) disinformation, and their potential influence on elections. (3) The review may make any recommendations it feels necessary for legislative or regulatory reform as a result of its findings. (4) For the purposes of this section, “campaign activity” includes— (a) digital campaigning; (b) targeted advertising; and (c) automated content distribution. (5) For the purposes of this section “regulated period” means any period regulated under the Representation of the People Act 1983.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(9) In this section, references to Housing and Local Government Committee shall— (a) if the name of that Committee is changed, be taken (subject to paragraph (b)) to be references to the Committee by its new name; (b) if the functions of that Committee at the passing of this Act with respect to matters relating to Protocol become functions of a different committee of the House of Commons, be taken to be references to the committee by whom the functions for the time being exercisable.” New clause 46— Government review of the “regulated periods” in relation to elections— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, commission a review of the adequacy of the current regulated periods for elections and referendums.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(7) Any report published under subsection (6) must include— (a) a description of activities undertaken under the Protocol, subject to any necessary limitations relating to national security or ongoing investigations; (b) information about consultation with the established oversight and advisory bodies; (c) an assessment of the impact of the Protocol on human rights and democratic participation. (8) Any report produced under subsection (6) must be sent to the Housing and Local Government Committee of the House of Commons.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) Any Protocol published under subsection (1) must be compatible with the United Kingdom’s human rights obligations including but not limited to the right to freedom of expression under article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. (6) The Secretary of State must lay before Parliament a report on the operation of the Protocol— (a) one year after the publication of the Protocol under subsection (1) and annually thereafter; and (b) within three months of any occasion on which the Protocol has been used.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Any Protocol published under subsection (1) must include— (a) the establishment of an oversight body comprised of such senior ministers and officials as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; (b) the establishment of an advisory body of civil society and experts with relevant expertise as the Secretary of State considers appropriate; (c) criteria by which Critical Election Incidents are identified and the Protocol is triggered; (d) categories of severity of Critical Election Incidents based on their severity; and (e) details of differentiated responses to Critical Election Incidents for each of the categories identified under subsection (d) which would be necessary and proportionate.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) For the purposes of this section, a “Critical Election Incident” means any event, threat or activity that poses a substantial risk to— (a) the integrity, security or administration of an election; (b) the ability of the public to freely participate in the electoral process; (c) or public confidence in the fairness or legitimacy of an election. (3) Before publishing the Protocol, the Secretary of State must consult the following on its contents— (a) relevant civil society organisations, (b) relevant experts, and (c) relevant regulators.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) Any regulations made under paragraph (1) must be laid before and agreed by both Houses of Parliament. (6) For the purposes of this Schedule, “user-to-user service” has the meaning given by section 3 (“user-to-user service” and “search service”) of the Online Safety Act 2023.”” New clause 45— Critical election incident protocol— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within twelve months of the passing of this Act, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament, a Critical Election Incident Protocol (“the Protocol”) for the purpose of responding to incidents that present a significant risk to the integrity, security or public confidence of elections.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Any regulations made under paragraph (1) must specify that a person to whom a notice is given under this paragraph must comply with it within such reasonable time as is specified in the notice. (3) Any regulations made under paragraph (1) must specify the information which may be requested by the Electoral Commission, and include the following where they relate to elections— (a) information relating to paid-for political advertising; (b) algorithmic systems; (c) coordinated inauthentic behaviour; and (d) automated or bot accounts (whether domestic or foreign). (4) Any regulations made under paragraph (2) must also provide for any safeguards considered necessary by the Secretary of State as regards data protection or commercial confidentiality.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Any regulations made under subsection (1) must be laid before and agreed by both Houses of Parliament.”” This new clause requires the Secretary of State to bring forward regulations to require the Electoral Commission to establish a publicly available repository of political advertising. New clause 44— Electoral Commission: powers to obtain information outside of a formal investigation— “(1) The Elections Act 2022 is amended as follows. (2) After Schedule 12, insert— “SCHEDULE 13: Electoral Commission powers to obtain information outside of a formal investigation (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision to allow the Electoral Commission to issue a notice requiring certain information from a regulated user-to-user service or search service, at any time during any regulated election period.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Any regulations made under subsection (1) must— (a) provide for the repository of political advertising to be publicly accessible; (b) specify that a provider of a Category 1 service within the meaning of the Online Safety Act 2023 must ensure that prescribed information relating to such advertising is submitted to the repository as soon as reasonably practicable, and, in any event, within 72 hours; (c) set out the types of information to be prescribed; and (d) provide for material in the repository to be transferred to the National Archives for preservation after a certain period. (3) Before making any regulations that make provision for the matters under subsection 2(c), the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Electoral Commission; (b) the Information Commissioner’s Office; and (c) OFCOM.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Before publishing its report under subsection (1) the Electoral Commission must consult— (a) OFCOM, and (b) the National Police Chiefs Council.” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to publish a report containing an assessment of the risks of online electoral harms, and proposals to put in place systems to mitigate those risks. New clause 43— Repository of digital political advertising— “(1) The Elections Act 2022 is amended as set out in subsection (2). (2) After section 61 insert— “Part 6A Repository of digital political advertising 61A Establishing a repository of digital political advertising (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, make provision to require the Electoral Commission to establish a repository of paid-for digital political advertising.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) For the purposes of this section, “electoral online harms” includes— (a) abuse and harassment of or threats directed towards elected representatives, candidates, party campaigners and election officials, or (b) incitement or violence against any such individuals, but does not include mockery or insult, save where it forms part of a campaign of harassment. (3) Any report published under subsection (1) must contain— (a) an assessment of the risks of electoral online harms, and (b) proposals to put in place systems to mitigate those risks including through amendment of the Online Safety Act 2023.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Before issuing— (a) any guidance under subsection (1) or subsection (3)(b), or (b) a statement under subsection (3)(a), the Secretary of State must consult OFCOM and such other persons as they think necessary. (5) For the purposes of this section “priority offences” means an offence listed in Schedule 7 (Priority offences) of the Online Safety Act 2023.” This new clause would require the Government to publish guidance on the operation of certain offences relating to digital communications as they relate to candidates and elected officials. New clause 42— Report on electoral online harms— “(1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Electoral Commission must publish a report on the prevention of electoral online harms.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) Any guidance issued under subsection (1) must include guidance on the following— (a) the operation of section 106 (false statements as to candidates) of the RPA 1983 in relation to digital communications; (b) the operation of section 114A (undue influence) of the RPA 1983 in relation to digital communications; (c) the interaction between the operations of sections 106 and 114A of the RPA 1983 and the duty of providers under the Online Safety Act 2023, including in relation to priority offences during election periods. (3) Within 12 months of the publication of guidance under subsection (1) and annually thereafter, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before Parliament either— (a) a statement that no updates to the guidance are required, or (b) an updated version of the guidance.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 41— Guidance on the law relating to digital communication offences in relation to elections— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament guidance on certain digital communication offences, including offences involving digital manipulation and artificially generated content in relation to candidates and elected officials.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 40— Voting eligibility of convicted persons in detention— “In section 3 of RPA 1983, (disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc.)— (a) for subsection (1), substitute— “(1) A convicted person, during the time that they are detained in a penal institution in pursuance of a sentence imposed for a term exceeding four years or unlawfully at large when they would otherwise be so detained, is legally incapable of voting at any parliamentary or local government election.”; (b) omit subsection (1A); and (c) in subsection 1B, for “1A” substitute “1”.” The new clause seeks to extend the franchise at UK Parliamentary and local government elections to include those serving a custodial sentence not exceeding four years and who would ordinarily be eligible.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(5) 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.” This new clause would prevent people from campaigning, interfering, obstructing or impeding electors going to or coming from a polling station.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(3) For the purpose of this section, a polling station shall be deemed to include all parts of the building and any land within the curtilage of the building in which the polling station is situated and the distance referred to in subsection (2) shall be measured from any entrance to the polling station or to the curtilage thereof. (4) A person who contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(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 party or furthering the candidature of a candidate or candidates or soliciting votes for a candidate or candidates or for any contrary purpose, do any or all of the following— (a) loiter or congregate with other persons; (b) attempt to induce, by any means whatsoever, an elector to vote for a candidate or candidates or vote in a particular way or refrain from voting; (c) display or distribute any notice, sign or poster (other than a notice, sign or poster displayed by the returning officer) or card, circular or other document relating to the election; or (d) use or cause to be used any loud-speaker or other public address mechanism to broadcast matter relating to the election.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 39— Prohibition on campaigning or obstructing electors outside polling places— “(1) A person who interferes or obstructs or impedes a person going to or coming from a polling station commits an offence.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(6) For the purposes of this section, “disability” has the meaning given under section (6) (disability) of the Equality Act 2010. (7) Any regulations made under this section must not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.”” New clause 38— Enfranchisement of foreign nationals at local elections in Northern Ireland— “(1) Section 2 (local elections electors) of the RPA 1983 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1)(c), at end insert— “(iii) in relation to a local government election in Northern Ireland, a relevant citizen of the Union or a qualifying foreign citizen;”” This new clause would give all residents in Northern Ireland with leave to enter or stay in the UK the right to vote in local and Assembly elections in Northern Ireland.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(4) Regulations under this section may— (a) designate a different person, other than the Electoral Commission, to establish and maintain the Fund; (b) specify criteria for eligibility for financial assistance; (c) set out the types of expenditure for which financial assistance may be provided; (d) specify the value of financial assistance available to an individual candidate; and (e) establish rules and procedures that the Electoral Commission or a person designated under subsection (4)(a) must comply with when administering the Fund. (5) Before making any regulations under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must consult— (a) disabled people; (b) political parties; (c) relevant charities and civil society organisations; and (d) the Equality and Human Rights Commission.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“(2) After Section 90D insert— “90E Access to Elected Office Fund (England) (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulations, require the Electoral Commission to establish and maintain a fund to be known as the Access to Elected Office Fund (England) (“the Fund”). (2) The purpose of the Fund is to provide financial assistance to disabled candidates standing for election in England, including providing assistance to meet any additional campaign costs incurred by the candidate as a result of their disability, and the Electoral Commission or a person designated under subsection (4)(a) must administer the Fund consistently with that purpose. (3) The Secretary of State may from time to time make payments into the Fund of such amounts as they may determine.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 36— Enfranchisement of certain foreign nationals at local government elections in England— “(1) Section 2 (entitlement to vote in local elections) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1)(c) leave out “(in Wales)”. (3) In subsection (1)(c)(i), after “rights” insert “or a qualifying foreign citizen;”.” This new clause expands the right to vote in local government elections in England to extend to foreign citizens with a right to enter or remain in the UK. New clause 37— Access to Elected Office Fund (England)— “(1) RPA 1983 is amended as follows.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗
“New clause 35— Enfranchisement of certain foreign nationals at parliamentary elections— “(1) Section 1 (entitlement to vote in parliamentary elections) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows. (2) In subsection (1)(c), after “Ireland” insert “or a foreign national who for the purposes of the Immigration Act 1971 has— (i) the right of abode in the United Kingdom; (ii) settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme; (iii) indefinite leave to enter the United Kingdom; or (iv) indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom.”” This new clause expands the right to vote in General Elections to residents of the UK who have the right to abode in the UK or leave to enter or remain for an indefinite period.”
House of Commons2 September 2026Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0Source ↗