Overview

This bill aims to reform election rules in the UK, primarily by increasing the amount candidates can spend during general elections, clarifying the definition of election expenses to include digital advertising and unsolicited calls, abolishing candidate deposits, and granting more power to the Electoral Commission to oversee these changes.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to the existing electoral laws:

Increased Spending Limits:

The maximum amount a candidate can spend during a general election is significantly raised from £8,700 to £20,000 for both county and borough constituencies. Related per-voter spending limits are also increased.

Definition of Election Expenses:

The definition of election expenses is broadened to explicitly include digital advertising and unsolicited campaign materials (including phone calls) aimed at voters within a specific constituency to promote a candidate's election.

Abolition of Deposits:

The bill abolishes the requirement for candidates to pay a deposit to stand for election.

Electoral Commission Powers:

The bill empowers the Electoral Commission to create regulations to ensure compliance with the new spending limits and definitions, requiring parliamentary approval for these regulations.

Review Mechanism:

The bill mandates a periodic review of the bill's effects on political spending, with findings to be published regularly.

Government Spending

The bill itself doesn't directly increase government spending. However, the increased spending limits for candidates could indirectly lead to higher overall election costs, potentially impacting government resources allocated to election administration and oversight by the Electoral Commission.

Groups Affected

• Candidates: Will benefit from increased spending limits, potentially allowing for more extensive campaigns.
• Political Parties: May see an increase in campaign costs, requiring adjustments to their funding strategies.
• Electoral Commission: Will have increased responsibilities in monitoring and enforcing the new regulations.
• Voters: May experience a change in the nature and scale of election campaigns.

Powered by nyModel