The Representation of the People Bill has now entered Lords Committee Stage in Parliament, where its measures will be examined in detail.
This is the next major step in changing the law to make these improvements. This stage of the Bill will also include amendments to implement the measures recommended in Rycroft Review.
The new laws will be in place in time for the next General Election.
What’s changing and why is it important to me?
Big changes are coming to the way elections work – and a once-in-a-generation change will allow 16 and 17-year-olds to get involved in democracy across the UK for the first time in history.
👩🎓 Young people get to vote – 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK are finally being given the right to vote in all elections. Electoral registration age is also being lowered to 14, so that 16-year-olds can vote even if an election happens on their birthday.
🪪 Making voting fairer and easier - Expanding the list of IDs allowed at polling stations, with UK-issued bank cards set to be accepted as voter ID.
🧾 Improving voter registration - to help more voters get registered, so their vote and their voice count in matters that affect them.
💷 Protecting our democracy from foreign money - Tough new rules to stop foreign and illegal money from being involved in our elections, protecting British voters and our democratic power on matters that affect us.
🚫 Putting a stop to harassment - Extra measures to protect political candidates, campaigners and staff who often face abuse
🧑⚖️ Stronger regulation - The people in charge of overseeing elections, the Electoral Commission, will get tougher powers to enforce all these rules.
This will make politics fairer, so every voice counts and every vote is protected ✅
And we’re going even further on improving voter registration 🗳️
To help more voters get registered we're making it easier to register. Today we're also publishing a prospectus which will invite local authorities to pilot how data can help them identify people who are not registered or have out of date information. This will eventually help us to test simple new ways for people to get their details on the electoral roll.
Our plans will mean fewer people miss out and less time is spent entering your details across different government websites, making it quicker and easier for every eligible voter to register to have their say in elections.
What about political finance changes?
Tackling foreign financial interference – the Rycroft Review measures 🗳️
The independent Rycroft Review looked at how foreign money could find its way into UK politics, and what needs to change to stop it. The government has accepted all of Rycroft's recommendations and is bringing many of them in through the Representation of the People Bill.
Measures in the Bill already include:
💰 A cap on donations from overseas electors – anyone eligible to vote from abroad will only be able to donate up to £100,000 a year to a political party, closing a loophole that let large sums flow in from people living outside the UK.
🏠 A "minimum residency" rule – if an individual based abroad moves back to the UK, they'll still be subject to the £100,000 cap until they've been living here for a full calendar year, so people can't dodge the rules simply by moving to the UK.
🪙 A ban on political donations made in crypto assets – stopping the anonymity of cryptocurrency being used as a back door for foreign or illegitimate money.
🏢 Tougher tests for company donations – businesses donating to political parties will need to show they have a genuine connection to the UK or Ireland, and the amount they can give will be judged against their profits rather than their revenue, so shell companies and inflated turnover can't be used to disguise foreign cash.
Residency test🏠
It's vital that those contributing to politics in the UK reside in this country, and that foreign money shouldn't be used to interfere in UK elections and politics.
Eligibility to make political donations over £100,000 is already based on donors being registered to vote as a resident in the UK, not overseas.
That's why we're also looking to introduce an enhanced residency test for political donors, so donors have to demonstrate an ongoing presence in the UK⏳.
We're working to introduce these measures as soon as possible, and further details will be set out in due course 📅.
🗳️ Why are these changes important to me?
Your vote is better protected from foreign interference, with tighter rules on donations and company funding. 🔒
16 and 17-year-olds get a say for the first time, bringing more young people into our democracy. 🙋
Registering to vote will be simpler, with less form-filling and new pilots helping councils find and register eligible voters. 📝
Every vote counts, and every vote is protected. ✅
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