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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“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”.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“(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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“(3C) In this section— “Cryptoassets” has the meaning given by Regulation 14A(3)(a) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017; “Custodian wallet provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; “Cryptoasset exchange provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.’” The purpose of this new clause is to prevent parties, regulated donees (including third party campaigners) and candidates from accepting donations in cryptoassets or from the proceeds of cryptoassets, to reduce the risks of anonymous and impermissible donations.”
“(4) In Schedule 2A, Section 6 (prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors), after subparagraph (3), insert— ‘(3A) Any relevant donation received by a candidate or their election agent which is— (a) made wholly or in part with cryptoassets, (b) made from the proceeds generated by crypto-assets such as digital tokens and memecoins, or (c) accepted by means of a custodian wallet provider or cryptoasset exchange provider, shall be regarded as a donation received by a candidate or their election agent who is not a permissible donor. (3B) Within three months of the coming into force of this section, the Commission must publish guidance in relation to the matters in subsection (3A).”
“(9) In this section— “Cryptoassets” has the meaning given by Regulation 14A(3)(a) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017; “Custodian wallet provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; “Cryptoasset exchange provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.’ (3) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsection (4).”
“which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors), at end insert— ‘(7) Any donation received by a registered party or regulated donee which is— (a) made wholly or in part with cryptoassets; or (b) made from the proceeds generated by crypto-assets such as digital tokens and memecoins; or (c) accepted by means of a custodian wallet provider or cryptoasset exchange provider, shall be regarded as a donation received by the party from a person who is not a permissible donor. (8) Within three months of the coming into force of this section, the Electoral Commission must publish guidance in relation to the matters in subsection (7).”
“(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; “enhanced DBS certificate” means a certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service following an enhanced DBS check.’” This new clause would require candidates in a local government election in England and Wales to undertake an enhanced DBS check and obtain the resulting certificate before they can be validly nominated as a candidate. New clause 34— Prohibition on accepting donations in cryptoassets to political parties and candidates — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsection (2). (2) In section 55 (payments etc.”
“(2) After rule 4 (nomination of candidates) insert— ‘(4A)(1) A person is not validly nominated unless the person has— (a) undertaken an enhanced DBS check; and (b) obtained an enhanced DBS certificate. (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 requested. (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.”
“(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; “enhanced DBS certificate” means a certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service following an enhanced DBS check.’” This new clause would require candidates in a parliamentary election to undertake an enhanced DBS check and obtain the resulting certificate before they can be validly nominated as a candidate. New clause 33— Local government elections (England and Wales): Requirement to obtain an enhanced disclosure and barring service check— “(1) The Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 are amended as follows.”
“(2) The Secretary of State may make regulations which make necessary provision for the designation of one or more organisation from which the DBS check under paragraph 1 must be requested. (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.”
“(6) The response to the report must contain proposals informed by the Electoral Commission’s report.” This new clause would require the Electoral Commission to conduct a review of how campaign expenditure limits could apply on an annual basis for political parties, candidates and third parties, and for the Government to respond to the report and bring forward proposals based on the Electoral Commission’s findings. New clause 32— Parliamentary elections: Requirement to obtain an enhanced disclosure and barring service check — “(1) Schedule 1 of RPA 1983 is amended as follows. (2) After rule 6 (nomination of candidates) insert— ‘(6AA)(1) A person is not validly nominated unless the person has— (a) undertaken an enhanced DBS check; and (b) obtained an enhanced DBS certificate.”
“(2) The review must consider how annual campaign expenditure limits could— (a) promote transparency and fairness in elections; (b) limit the risk of foreign interference in elections; and (c) be implemented in a proportionate manner without undue impact on political parties, candidates and third parties. (3) In conducting the review, the Electoral Commission must consult the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission and the Ethics and Integrity Commission. (4) The Electoral Commission must publish a report of its findings no later than 6 months after the day on which this Act is passed. (5) The Secretary of State must, within 6 months of the publication of the report, lay before both Houses of Parliament, a response to the report.”
“(5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.” This new clause would prevent non-permissible donors from funding political advertising, whether or not related to a relevant election, and provide the Secretary of State with regulation making powers to enable this prohibition to be enforced. New clause 30 —Review of how limits on campaign expenditure could apply on annual basis— “(1) The Electoral Commission must conduct a review of how campaign expenditure limits could apply on an annual basis for political parties, candidates and third parties.”
“(2) For the purposes of this section— ‘political advertising’ means any materials or activities with a view to promoting a political party, candidate or campaign; ‘relevant election’ has the same meaning as in Part II of PPERA. (3) The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, by regulations amend, repeal or revoke any enactment, including this Act and other electoral legislation, where the Secretary of State considers it necessary for the purposes of subsection (1). (4) Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Electoral Commission; and (b) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.”
“(6) In Section 41 of the Elections Act 2022 (requirement to include information with electronic material) after subsection (3)(b) insert— ‘(c) a statement declaring the original source of the funding used to pay for the promotion or publication of the material.’” This new clause prevents controlled expenditure and expenses by non-permissible donors, including foreign-funded advertising, by reducing the existing £700 spending limit for such donors to nil. It also requires that campaign material includes a statement declaring the origin of its funding. New clause 29— Prohibition of political advertising by non-permissible donors— “(1) A person or organisation that is not a permissible donor must not incur any expenditure on political advertising, whether or not related to a relevant election.”
“New clause 28— Prohibition of controlled expenditure and expenses by non-permissible donors — “(1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4). (2) In Section 89A (restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure) leave out subsection (2). (3) In Section 89B (restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure: Senedd Cymru elections) leave out subsection (2). (4) In Section 89B (restriction on which third parties may incur controlled expenditure: Scottish Parliament elections) leave out subsection (2). (5) In Section 75 of RPA 1983 (prohibition of expenses not authorised by election agent) leave out— (a) subsection 1ZZB(a); (b) subsection 1ZA.”
“(4) The report published under subsection (1) must include any recommendations considered necessary to protect the integrity of United Kingdom elections. (5) For the purposes of this section, ‘the integrity of United Kingdom elections’ means the extent to which elections are considered to be free and fair, and have public confidence in their outcomes.” This new clause requires the Government to publish a report on electoral interference originating from the USA and its impact on the integrity of elections in the United Kingdom, focusing on the extent of algorithmic amplification of campaign material by US-based social media companies and of donations from US-based companies and business leaders.”
“(2) The report published under subsection (1) must review the extent of the following activities and their impact on voters— (a) United States-based social media companies amplifying electoral campaign material via algorithms; and (b) donations made to registered political parties, think-tanks, lobbying firms and other regulated donees in the United Kingdom originating from— (i) the United States Government, (ii) United States-based companies, and (iii) business leaders with United States citizenship. (3) The report must also set out information about the nature of any campaigns receiving donations from those set out in subsection (2), including— (a) the stated aims attached to any donations made; and (b) any agreements between donees and organisations in receipt of such donations.”
“New clause 27— Report on interference in UK elections originating from the United States of America— “(1) The Secretary of State must, within 12 months of the passing of this Act, publish a report on the extent of electoral interference originating from the United States of America and its impact on the integrity of elections in the United Kingdom.”
“(2B) A company which would otherwise fall within subsection (2)(b) is not a permissible donor if that company— (a) has been awarded a public contract within the previous ten years, or (b) is a parent undertaking or subsidiary undertaking of a company falling within paragraph (a).’ (3) After subsection (8) insert— ‘(9) In this section— “public contract” has the meaning given by section 3 (public contracts) of the Procurement Act 2023; “significant control” has the meaning given by section 790C (key terms) of the Companies Act 2006; “parent undertaking” and “subsidiary undertaking” have the meanings given by section 1162 (parent and subsidiary undertakings) of the Companies Act 2006.’” This amendment would prevent individuals and companies connected to public contracts within the previous ten years from being treated as permissible donors under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”
“New clause 26 —Restrictions on permitted donors: public contracts— “(1) Section 54 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (permissible donors) is amended as follows. (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) has significant control of a company which has been awarded a public contract within the previous ten years, or (b) has significant control of a company which is a parent undertaking or subsidiary undertaking of a company falling within paragraph (a).”
“(4) Further to subsection (3), a ‘property development or construction undertaking’ includes— (a) any person who is acting on behalf of a property development or construction undertaking, (b) any person who is funded either directly or indirectly by a property development or construction undertaking, and (c) any subsidiaries or holding companies of a property development or construction undertaking. (5) The Electoral Commission may issue guidance for the purposes of determining whether an undertaking is a property development or construction undertaking.” This new clause would mean that a property developer or construction undertaking would not be a permissible donor to a registered party, recognised third party, regulated donee or permitted participant.”