Election campaign material produced by political parties, candidates and non-party campaigners must carry an ‘imprint’ on both digital and printed material. The Representation of the People Bill includes some reforms to the current digital imprints regime.
In the Representation of the People Bill the Labour government has committed to enacting enhanced know-your-donor checks to be conducted on political donations.
There are concerns that company donations are a means by which foreign money can enter UK politics. Reforms have been included in the Representation of the People Bill to address this.
Research Briefing
On 25 March 2026 the Rycroft Review recommended that a moratorium be placed on political donations made in cryptoassets. In a statement following the release of the review, the Government announced that they would bring forward an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill which would do this.
Research Briefing
An unincorporated association is a permissible donor in UK politics and is usually a members club. The Labour Party have proposed tightening the rules around their donations in the upcoming elections bill.
Research Briefing
The bill’s proposals include lowering the voting age to 16 for all elections, allowing for automated electoral registration and making changes to political donations rules.
Insight
The effects of money on politics are contested. However, academics generally agree that money affects the chances of electoral success.
Research Briefing
‘Political financing’ refers to all money that is raised and spent for political purposes.
Insight
Non-party (third-party) spending in the 2024 general election was lower than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on third-party campaign material.
Insight
Political parties spent more in the 2024 general election than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on advertising and unsolicited material.
Insight
Candidate spending was higher in the 2024 general election than in the 2019 general election. Candidate spending is regulated differently to party spending.
Research Briefing
Lobbying is when an individual or group tries to persuade someone in Parliament to support a particular policy or campaign.
Research Briefing
The Electoral Commission oversees UK elections and political finance. Public approval of the commission is high, but reviews have proposed potential reforms.
Insight
Foreign political donations are banned in the UK, but it is possible for foreign money to enter UK politics. The government has said it will review donation rules.