Overview

This bill aims to reform election campaign finance and candidate nominations in the UK. Key changes include increasing the spending limit for candidates, clarifying the definition of election expenses to include digital advertising and unsolicited communications, abolishing candidate deposits, and granting the Electoral Commission greater powers to enforce regulations.

Description

Candidate Expenses

The bill significantly raises the maximum amount a candidate can spend during a general election. For both county and borough constituencies, the limit jumps from £8,700 to £20,000. Related per-elector spending limits are also increased.

Definition of Election Expenses

The bill expands the definition of election expenses to explicitly include digital advertising and unsolicited campaign materials (e.g., phone calls, mailers) These are now included as long as they are clearly aimed at promoting a particular candidate within a specified constituency.

Candidate Nominations

The number of required signatures for a candidate's nomination is increased from eight to ninety-eight.

Candidate Deposits

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

Electoral Commission Powers

The bill grants the Electoral Commission increased powers to ensure compliance with election spending limits and other regulations. The Secretary of State can create regulations to give the Commission the necessary tools to achieve this.

Review of the Act

The bill mandates a periodic review of the act's impact on political spending, with the findings published regularly.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to directly increase government spending. The increased spending limits for candidates could indirectly lead to increased campaign costs, but this would be borne by candidates and parties, not the government. The costs of the Electoral Commission's expanded enforcement activities are not specified.

Groups Affected

• Candidates: Will benefit from higher spending limits and the removal of the deposit requirement, potentially making it easier to run for office.
• Political Parties: May see increased campaign costs, but also the benefit of more candidates running under their banner due to reduced barriers to entry.
• Electoral Commission: Will have increased responsibilities and powers to regulate campaign spending and enforce the new rules.
• Voters: May be exposed to a higher volume of campaign materials, both traditional and digital.

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