Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

Part 1U.K.The Electoral Commission

Functions of Electoral CommissionU.K.

1Compliance with controls imposed by the 2000 Act etcU.K.

(1)In the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) (“the 2000 Act”) section 145 (general function of Commission with respect to monitoring compliance with controls imposed by that Act etc) is amended as follows.

F1(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(3)After subsection (6) there is inserted—

“(6A)The Commission may prepare and publish guidance setting out, in relation to any requirement referred to in subsection (1), their opinion on any of the following matters—

(a)what it is necessary, or is sufficient, to do (or avoid doing) in order to comply with the requirement;

(b)what it is desirable to do (or avoid doing) in view of the purpose of the requirement.”

2Investigatory powers of CommissionU.K.

(1)For section 146 of the 2000 Act there is substituted—

“146Investigatory powers of Commission

Schedule 19B makes provision about the investigatory powers of the Commission.”

(2)Before Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act there is inserted, as Schedule 19B, the Schedule set out in Schedule 1 to this Act.

(3)In Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act the following entries are inserted at the appropriate place—

3Civil sanctionsU.K.

(1)For section 147 of the 2000 Act (civil penalty for failure to deliver documents etc) there is substituted—

“147Civil sanctions

Schedule 19C makes provision for civil sanctions in relation to—

(a)the commission of offences under this Act;

(b)the contravention of restrictions or requirements imposed by or by virtue of this Act.”

(2)After Schedule 19B to the 2000 Act (inserted by section 2 above) there is inserted, as Schedule 19C, the Schedule set out in Schedule 2 to this Act.

(3)In Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act the following entry is inserted at the appropriate place—

(4)In section 156 of the 2000 Act (orders and regulations), after subsection (4) there is inserted—

“(4A)An order under paragraph 16 of Schedule 19C that contains—

(a)provision made by virtue of paragraph 1(1), (2), (3), (4) or (5), paragraph 5(1), (2), (3) or (4), paragraph 10(2)(b) or (3)(b) or paragraph 15(1)(a) of that Schedule, or

(b)provision amending an Act,

shall not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament; and subsection (2) does not apply to such an order.”

Electoral Commissioners etcU.K.

4Selection of prospective Electoral Commissioners and Commission chairmanU.K.

(1)Section 3 of the 2000 Act (appointment of Electoral Commissioners etc) is amended as follows.

(2)For subsection (2) there is substituted—

“(2)A motion for such an Address may be made only if—

(a)the Speaker of the House of Commons agrees that the motion may be made;

(b)the motion has been the subject of consultation with the registered leader of each registered party to which two or more Members of the House of Commons then belong; and

(c)each person whose appointment is proposed in the motion has been selected in accordance with a procedure put in place and overseen by the Speaker's Committee.”

(3)After subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(5A)In the case of a re-appointment (or further re-appointment) of an Electoral Commissioner, the reference in subsection (2)(c) to being selected in accordance with a procedure put in place and overseen by the Speaker's Committee is to be read as including a reference to being recommended for re-appointment (or further re-appointment) by that Committee.”

5Four Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by partiesU.K.

(1)In section 3 of the 2000 Act, after subsection (4) (political restrictions on Electoral Commissioners) there is inserted—

“(4A)Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (4) do not apply to the appointment of a person as a nominated Commissioner (within the meaning of section 3A).”

(2)After that section there is inserted—

“3AFour Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by parties

(1)Four of the Electoral Commissioners shall each be a person whom the registered leader of a qualifying party put forward to be considered for appointment as an Electoral Commissioner (a “nominated Commissioner”).

(2)In subsection (1) “qualifying party” means a registered party with two or more Members of the House of Commons at the time of the person's appointment.

(3)Three of the nominated Commissioners shall each be a person put forward by the registered leader of one of the three largest nominating parties at the time of the person's appointment.

(4)In subsection (3) “nominating party” means a party whose registered leader—

(a)has put forward three persons to be considered for appointment as a nominated Commissioner, or

(b)previously put forward persons one of whom was appointed as a nominated Commissioner and is expected to continue to hold office.

(5)No appointment may be made that would result in two or more nominated Commissioners being persons put forward by the leader of the same party (and nothing in this section has effect so as to require that result).

(6)A nominated Commissioner may not be appointed as the chairman of the Commission.

(7)For the purposes of this section, the relative size of any two or more registered parties shall be determined according to the number of Members of the House of Commons belonging to each party at the time in question (or, in the case of two parties with the same number of Members, according to the total number of votes cast for persons standing for election in the name of each of those parties at the most recent parliamentary general election).

(8)A reference in this section to a Member of the House of Commons does not include any Member of that House who at the time in question—

(a)has not made and subscribed the oath required by the Parliamentary Oaths Act 1866 (or the corresponding affirmation), or

(b)is disqualified from sitting and voting in that House.”

(3)In section 14 of the 2000 Act (Boundary Committees), in subsection (4), for “an Electoral Commissioner or a deputy Electoral Commissioner” there is substituted “ an Electoral Commissioner who is not a nominated Commissioner (within the meaning of section 3A), or a deputy Electoral Commissioner, ”.

6Number of Electoral CommissionersU.K.

In section 1 of the 2000 Act (establishment of Electoral Commission), in subsection (3) (number of Commissioners), for “not less than five, but not more than nine,” there is substituted “ nine or ten ”.

7Political restrictions on Electoral Commissioners and staffU.K.

(1)In section 3(4)(d) of the 2000 Act (persons not to be appointed as Electoral Commissioners within ten years of engaging in certain political activities), for “within the last ten years” there is substituted “ within the last five years ”.

(2)In Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act (the Electoral Commission), after paragraph 11 there is inserted—

11A(1)A person may not be appointed as a member of the staff of the Commission if the person—

(a)is an officer or employee of a registered party or of any accounting unit of such a party;

(b)holds a relevant elective office (within the meaning of Schedule 7);

(c)has at any time within the relevant period (see sub-paragraph (2))—

(i)been such an officer or employee as is mentioned in paragraph (a), or

(ii)held such an office as is mentioned in paragraph (b), or

(iii)been named as a donor in the register of donations reported under Chapter 3 or 5 of Part 4, or

(iv)been named as a participant in the register of recordable transactions reported under Part 4A.

(2)The relevant period is—

(a)in relation to appointment as chief executive of the Commission, the last five years;

(b)in relation to appointment to a post on the staff of the Commission that is designated by a notice in force under paragraph 11B, the period (immediately preceding the appointment) specified by the notice;

(c)in relation to appointment as any other member of the staff of the Commission, the last 12 months.

(3)A member of a registered party may not be appointed as chief executive of the Commission.

(4)The appointment of any member of the staff of the Commission shall terminate—

(a)in the case of the chief executive, on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 3(3);

(b)in any other case, on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (ca) of paragraph 3(3).

11B(1)The chief executive of the Commission may by giving notice to the Speaker's Committee—

(a)designate a particular post on the staff of the Commission, and

(b)specify as the relevant period for that post, for the purposes of paragraph 11A(2)(b), a period of two years or more,

if the chief executive reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so in order to maintain public confidence in the effectiveness of the Commission in carrying out any of its functions.

(2)The period specified under sub-paragraph (1)(b) may not be more than five years.

(3)In deciding what that period should be, the chief executive of the Commission shall take into account—

(a)the level of seniority of the post;

(b)how likely it is that any holder of the post will be required to deal with politically sensitive matters.

(4)Each notice under sub-paragraph (1) must relate to only one post.

(5)A notice under sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)has effect from the day on which it is received by the Speaker's Committee, and

(b)(subject to sub-paragraphs (6) and (7)) expires at the end of the period of three years beginning with that day.

(6)Sub-paragraph (5)(b) does not prevent a further notice being given under sub-paragraph (1) in relation to the post in question, either—

(a)before the previous notice would have expired, or

(b)at any time after the expiry of the previous notice.

A further notice received by the Speaker's Committee before the previous notice would have expired supersedes the previous notice.

(7)If the chief executive of the Commission gives notice (a “cancellation notice”) to the Speaker's Committee cancelling a notice under sub-paragraph (1), the notice under that sub-paragraph ceases to have effect—

(a)on the day on which the cancellation notice is received by the Speaker's Committee, or

(b)(if later) on such date as may be specified in the cancellation notice.

(8)Before giving a notice under this paragraph the chief executive of the Commission shall consult the Speaker's Committee.

(9)The Commission shall publish, in such manner as they consider appropriate, information setting out the effect of all notices under sub-paragraph (1) that are in force at any particular time.”

(3)The amendment made by subsection (2) does not apply to the appointment of a person—

(a)to assist the Boundary Committee for England in the performance of its functions,

(b)to assist the Commission in carrying out functions transferred to them by an order under section 18(1) of the 2000 Act (transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England), or

(c)to perform duties including either or both of those.

8Education about systems of government and EU institutionsU.K.

In section 13 of the 2000 Act (education about electoral and democratic systems), paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) (Commission's duty to promote public awareness of systems of government and EU institutions) are omitted.

Part 2U.K.Political donations etc and expenditure

Donations etcU.K.

12Defence to charge of failing to return donation from impermissible donorU.K.

In section 56 of the 2000 Act (acceptance or return of donations: general), after subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(3A)Where a party or its treasurer is charged with an offence under subsection (3), it shall be a defence to prove that—

(a)all reasonable steps were taken by or on behalf of the party to verify (or ascertain) whether the donor was a permissible donor, and

(b)as a result, the treasurer believed the donor to be a permissible donor.”

OffencesU.K.

13“Reasonable excuse” in relation to certain offences under the 2000 ActU.K.

(1)The 2000 Act is amended as follows.

(2)In section 47 (failure by registered party to submit proper statement of accounts to Commission)—

(a)in paragraph (a) of subsection (1), after “are” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(b)in paragraph (b) of that subsection, after “is” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(c)subsections (2) and (3) are omitted.

(3)In section 65 (submission of donation reports to Commission)—

(a)in subsections (3) and (4), after “commits an offence if” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(b)subsection (5) is omitted.

(4)In section 71S (submission of transaction reports to Commission)—

(a)in subsections (4) and (5), after “commits an offence if” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(b)subsection (6) is omitted.

(5)In paragraph 12 of Schedule 7 (failure to deliver donation report)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (1), between “is” and “not delivered” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse ”;

(b)in sub-paragraph (2), after “which” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(c)sub-paragraph (3) is omitted.

(6)In paragraph 12 of Schedule 7A (failure to deliver transaction report)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (1), between “is” and “not delivered” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(b)in sub-paragraph (2), after “which” there is inserted “ , without reasonable excuse, ”;

(c)sub-paragraph (3) is omitted.

Responsible persons and compliance officersU.K.

14Control of donations to members associations: responsible personsU.K.

(1)Schedule 7 to the 2000 Act (control of donations to members associations etc) is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4).

(2)In paragraph 1(9) (meaning of “the responsible person”), for paragraph (b) there is substituted—

“(b)otherwise, the person who is the responsible person by virtue of a notice in force under paragraph 1A.”

(3)After paragraph 1 there is inserted—

“1A“Appointment of responsible person by members association with no treasurer

(1)A members association which does not have a treasurer—

(a)may appoint an individual to be the responsible person in relation to the association by giving notice to the Commission;

(b)shall do so within the period of 30 days beginning with the date on which the association—

(i)accepts a controlled donation which is a recordable donation for the purposes of paragraph 10, or

(ii)receives a controlled donation falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) or (b),

if a notice under this sub-paragraph is not in force on that date.

(2)A notice under sub-paragraph (1)—

(a)must be signed on behalf of the members association;

(b)must contain a statement signed by the individual to be appointed as the responsible person confirming that the individual is willing to be appointed.

(3)A notice under sub-paragraph (1) must state—

(a)the name and address of the members association;

(b)the full name of the individual to be appointed as the responsible person;

(c)the individual's home address in the United Kingdom, or (if there is no such home address) the individual's home address elsewhere.

(4)Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a notice under sub-paragraph (1) (“the original notice”)—

(a)shall be in force as from the date on which it is received by the Commission, but

(b)shall lapse at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with that date unless the members association or the responsible person gives the Commission a notice (a “renewal notice”) that they both wish the original notice to remain in force.

(5)A renewal notice—

(a)has the effect of extending the validity of the original notice for a further 12 months beginning with the time when it would otherwise have lapsed (whether under sub-paragraph (4)(b) or on the expiry of a previous extension under this sub-paragraph);

(b)must be received by the Commission during the period of one month ending at that time.

(6)A renewal notice must either—

(a)confirm that all the statements contained in the original notice, as it has effect for the time being, are accurate; or

(b)indicate that any statement contained in that notice, as it so has effect, is replaced by some other statement conforming with the relevant provision of sub-paragraph (3).

A renewal notice must be signed on behalf of the members association and by the responsible person.

(7)The members association or the responsible person may, at any time after giving the original notice, give the Commission a notice (a “notice of alteration”) indicating that any statement contained in the original notice, as it has effect for the time being, is replaced by some other statement—

(a)contained in the notice of alteration, and

(b)conforming with the relevant provision of sub-paragraph (3).

A notice of alteration takes effect on the day on which it is received by the Commission or (if later) on such date as may be specified in the notice.

(8)A notice of alteration must be signed—

(a)on behalf of the members association, and

(b)by the responsible person or, in the case of a notice substituting a different individual as the responsible person, by that individual.

(9)A notice under sub-paragraph (1) that has been in force for at least 12 months ceases to have effect on receipt by the Commission of a notice terminating it (a “notice of termination”)—

(a)given by and signed on behalf of the members association, or

(b)given and signed by the responsible person.

(10)On receipt of a notice of termination given by the members association or by the responsible person, the Commission must inform the other party as soon as is reasonably practicable (unless the notice was signed both on behalf of the members association and by the responsible person).

(11)A reference in this paragraph to a notice being signed on behalf of a members association is to the notice being signed by the secretary of the association or by a person who acts in a similar capacity in relation to the association.

(12)A notice under the Schedule 7A version of this paragraph also has effect as a notice under this paragraph.

The “Schedule 7A version” of this paragraph means this paragraph as it applies, in relation to controlled transactions, by virtue of paragraph 1(7A) of Schedule 7A.

1BOffence of failing to comply with paragraph 1A

1BA members association commits an offence if—

(a)it is subject to the requirement in paragraph 1A(1)(b), and

(b)without reasonable excuse it fails to comply with the requirement.”

(4)In paragraph 12 (offence of failing to deliver donation report), in sub-paragraph (1) and in sub-paragraph (2), for paragraphs (a) and (b) and the words following paragraph (b) there is substituted—

“(a)in the case of a regulated donee other than a members association, the regulated donee is guilty of an offence;

(b)in the case of a members association, the association and the responsible person are guilty of an offence.”

(5)In Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act the following entry is inserted at the appropriate place—

15Control of donations to holders of elective office: compliance officersU.K.

(1)In Schedule 7 to the 2000 Act (control of donations to individuals etc), at the end there is inserted—

“Part 7U.K.Compliance officers

17(1)A regulated donee who is the holder of a relevant elective office (the “office-holder”) may, by giving a notice to the Commission which complies with paragraph 18(1), appoint an individual as compliance officer for the office-holder.

(2)Where a notice under this paragraph is for the time being in force—

(a)any duty imposed on the office-holder by virtue of paragraph 8, or under paragraph 10, 11 or 13, may be discharged either by the office-holder or by the compliance officer;

(b)section 56(3), (3B) and (4) as applied by paragraph 8, and paragraph 12(1) and (2), apply to the compliance officer as well as the office-holder (so that either or both of them may be charged with any offence under those provisions);

(c)if the compliance officer makes a declaration under paragraph 13, paragraph 13(4) applies to the compliance officer instead of the office-holder.

(3)The compliance officer for an office-holder cannot be guilty of an offence under paragraph 12(1) or (2) in respect of any controlled donation received by the office-holder at a time when the notice under this paragraph was not in force.

(4)A person commits an offence if, at a time when a notice under this paragraph is in force in relation to an office-holder, the person knowingly gives the compliance officer any information relating to—

(a)the amount of any controlled donation made to the office-holder, or

(b)the person or body making such a donation,

which is false in a material particular.

18(1)A notice under paragraph 17—

(a)must be signed by the office-holder, and

(b)must contain a statement signed by the individual to be appointed as compliance officer confirming that the individual is willing to be appointed.

(2)A notice under paragraph 17 must state—

(a)the full name of the office-holder,

(b)the relevant elected office that the person holds,

(c)the office-holder's home address in the United Kingdom, or (if there is no such home address) the office-holder's home address elsewhere, and

(d)if the office-holder is a member of a registered party, the party's registered name and the address of its registered headquarters.

(3)A notice under paragraph 17 must also state—

(a)the full name of the individual to be appointed as compliance officer,

(b)if the individual holds a relevant elected office, what that office is,

(c)the individual's home address in the United Kingdom, or (if there is no such home address) the individual's home address elsewhere, and

(d)if the individual is a member of a registered party, the party's registered name and the address of its registered headquarters.

(4)Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph, a notice under paragraph 17 (“the original notice”)—

(a)shall be in force as from the date on which it is received by the Commission, but

(b)shall lapse at the end of the period of 12 months beginning with that date unless the office-holder or the compliance officer gives the Commission a notice (a “renewal notice”) that they both wish the original notice to remain in force.

(5)A renewal notice—

(a)has the effect of extending the validity of the original notice for a further 12 months beginning with the time when it would otherwise have lapsed (whether under sub-paragraph (4)(b) or on the expiry of a previous extension under this sub-paragraph);

(b)must be received by the Commission during the period of one month ending at that time.

(6)A renewal notice must either—

(a)confirm that all the statements contained in the original notice, as it has effect for the time being, are accurate; or

(b)indicate that any statement contained in that notice, as it so has effect, is replaced by some other statement conforming with the relevant provision of sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

A renewal notice must be signed by the office-holder and the compliance officer.

(7)The office-holder or the compliance officer may, at any time after giving the original notice, give the Commission a notice (a “notice of alteration”) indicating that any statement contained in the original notice, as it has effect for the time being, is replaced by some other statement—

(a)contained in the notice of alteration, and

(b)conforming with the relevant provision of sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

A notice of alteration takes effect on the day on which it is received by the Commission or (if later) on such date as may be specified in the notice.

(8)A notice of alteration must be signed—

(a)by the office-holder, and

(b)by the compliance officer or, in the case of a notice substituting a different individual as the compliance officer, by that individual.

(9)A notice under paragraph 17 ceases to have effect on receipt by the Commission of a notice terminating it (a “notice of termination”) given and signed by the office-holder or by the compliance officer.

(10)On receipt of a notice of termination given by the office-holder or by the compliance officer, the Commission must inform the other party as soon as is reasonably practicable (unless the notice was signed both by the office-holder and by the compliance officer).

19(1)The Commission shall maintain a register of all notices given to them under paragraph 17 which are for the time being in force.

(2)The register shall be maintained by the Commission in such form as they may determine and shall contain, in the case of each such notice, all the information contained in the notice as it has effect for the time being in accordance with paragraph 18.

(3)Where any notice is given to the Commission under paragraph 17 or sub-paragraph (4)(b) or (7) of paragraph 18, they shall cause all the information contained in the notice, or (as the case may be) any new information contained in it, to be entered in the register as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4)The information to be entered in the register in respect of any individual shall, however, not include the individual's home address.”

(2)In Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act the following entry is inserted at the appropriate place—

16Control of loans etc to members associations: responsible personsU.K.

(1)Schedule 7A to the 2000 Act (control of loans etc to members associations etc) is amended as follows.

(2)In paragraph 1 (operation and construction of Schedule)—

(a)in sub-paragraph (7)(d), the words after “(in relation to a members association)” are omitted;

(b)after sub-paragraph (7) there is inserted—

“(7A)Paragraphs 1A and 1B of Schedule 7 apply for the purposes of this Schedule, in relation to controlled transactions, as they apply for the purposes of that Schedule in relation to controlled donations.

(7B)Paragraph 1A(1)(b) of Schedule 7, as it applies by virtue of sub-paragraph (7A) above, has effect as if for sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) there were substituted—

“(i)enters into a controlled transaction which is a recordable transaction for the purposes of paragraph 9 of Schedule 7A, or

(ii)enters into a controlled transaction falling within paragraph 5 or 6(1)(b) of that Schedule,”.

(7C)A notice under paragraph 1A of Schedule 7 also has effect as a notice under the Schedule 7A version of that paragraph.

The “Schedule 7A version” of paragraph 1A of Schedule 7 means that paragraph as it applies, in relation to controlled transactions, by virtue of sub-paragraph (7A) above.”

(3)In paragraph 12 (offence of failing to deliver transaction report), in sub-paragraph (1) and in sub-paragraph (2), for paragraphs (a) and (b) and the words following paragraph (b) there is substituted—

“(a)in the case of a regulated participant other than a members association, the regulated participant is guilty of an offence;

(b)in the case of a members association, the association and the responsible person are guilty of an offence.”

17Control of loans etc to holders of elective office: compliance officersU.K.

In Schedule 7A to the 2000 Act (control of loans etc to individuals etc), at the end there is inserted—

18(1)This paragraph applies where a regulated participant who is the holder of a relevant elective office (the “office-holder”) has given a notice to the Commission under paragraph 17 of Schedule 7 appointing an individual as compliance officer for the office-holder.

(2)Where the notice is for the time being in force—

(a)any duty imposed on the office-holder under paragraph 9, 10, 11 or 13 may be discharged either by the office-holder or by the compliance officer;

(b)paragraph 12(1) and (2) applies to the compliance officer as well as the office-holder (so that either or both of them may be charged with an offence under paragraph 12(1) or (2));

(c)if the compliance officer makes a declaration under paragraph 13, paragraph 13(4) applies to the compliance officer instead of the office-holder.

(3)The compliance officer for an office-holder cannot be guilty of an offence under paragraph 12(1) or (2) in respect of any controlled transaction entered into by the office-holder at a time when the notice was not in force.”

18Person may not be “responsible person” for more than one third partyU.K.

(1)Section 88 of the 2000 Act (third parties recognised for the purposes of Part 6 of that Act) is amended as follows.

(2)In subsection (2)(a), after “(as defined by section 54(8))” there is inserted “ who is not the responsible person in relation to another third party ”.

(3)After subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(3A)A notification given by a third party does not comply with the requirement in subsection (3)(b)(iii) or (c)(ii) (to state the name of the person who will be responsible for compliance) if the person whose name is stated is—

(a)the responsible person in relation to another third party,

(b)an individual who gives a notification under subsection (1) at the same time, or

(c)the person whose name is stated, in purported compliance with the requirement in subsection (3)(b)(iii) or (c)(ii), in a notification given at the same time by another third party.

In this subsection “the person”, in relation to a notification to which subsection (3)(c) applies, is to be read as “the person or officer”.”

(4)Where—

(a)a third party gives a notification under section 88(4)(b) of the 2000 Act (“the renewal notification”) in respect of a notification under section 88(1) (“the original notification”) that was given before the commencement of this section, and

(b)the original notification contained a statement under section 88(3)(b)(iii) or (c)(ii) naming someone who, at the time when the renewal notification is given, is the responsible person in relation to another third party,

the renewal notification must indicate (under section 88(6)(b)) that the statement is replaced by a statement naming someone who is not the responsible person in relation to another third party.

Unincorporated associationsU.K.

19Reports of gifts received by unincorporated associations making political contributionsU.K.

(1)After section 140 of the 2000 Act there is inserted—

“Reports to Commission by unincorporated associations making political contributionsU.K.

140AReports of gifts received by unincorporated associations

Schedule 19A, which requires unincorporated associations making political contributions to report gifts received by them to the Commission, has effect.”

(2)Before Schedule 19B to the 2000 Act (inserted by section 2 above) there is inserted, as Schedule 19A, the Schedule set out in Schedule 5 to this Act.

(3)In Schedule 20 to the 2000 Act the following entries are inserted at the appropriate place—

(4)In section 62 of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (c. 22) (regulation of loans: power to make provision for candidates, third parties and referendums), after subsection (3) there is inserted—

“(3A)The provision that may be made by virtue of subsection (3)(e) includes, in particular, provision amending paragraph 1 of Schedule 19A to the 2000 Act (requirement for unincorporated associations to notify Commission of political contributions over £25,000) so that, in the case of a recognised third party or a permitted participant in a referendum, a “political contribution” includes a relevant matter.”

(5)The Secretary of State, after consulting the Electoral Commission, may make an order that—

(a)amends or modifies the Schedule inserted into the 2000 Act by Schedule 5 so far as it applies in relation to Northern Ireland;

(b)makes provision that is consequential on or supplemental to that made by virtue of paragraph (a) (including provision amending or modifying any provision of the 2000 Act).

(6)The power to make an order under subsection (5) is exercisable by statutory instrument.

(7)No order may be made under subsection (5) unless a draft of the instrument containing the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(8)In the Schedule inserted into the 2000 Act by Schedule 5 to this Act—

(a)the reference in paragraph 1(1) to a calendar year does not include any year before 2010;

(b)a reference in paragraph 2 to a gift does not include any gift received before the day on which this Act is passed.

ThresholdsU.K.

20Increased thresholds in relation to donations etcU.K.

(1)In the following provisions of the 2000 Act, for “£200” there is substituted “ £500 ”

• section 52(2)(b);

• section 54(4)(b) and (6)(b);

• section 71F(12)(b);

• in Schedule 7, paragraphs 4(3)(b) and 6(2) and (4)(b);

• in Schedule 7A, paragraph 2(4)(b);

• in Schedule 11, paragraphs 4(2) and 6(4) and (6)(b);

• in Schedule 15, paragraphs 4(2) and 6(5) and (7)(b).

(2)In the following provisions of the 2000 Act, for “£1,000” there is substituted “ £1,500 ”

• section 62(6A)(a) and (b), (7)(b) and (11)(b);

• section 71M(7)(a) and (b), (8)(b) and (11)(b);

• in Schedule 7, paragraph 10(1A)(a) and (b) and (2)(b);

• in Schedule 7A, paragraph 9(2)(a) and (b) and (7)(b).

(3)In the following provisions of the 2000 Act, for “£5,000” there is substituted “ £7,500 ”

• section 62(4)(a) and (b), (5)(b) and (11)(b);

• section 63(3);

• section 71M(4)(a) and (b), (5)(b) and (11)(b);

• section 71Q(3);

• in Schedule 7, paragraph 10(1A)(a) and (b) and (2)(b);

• in Schedule 7A, paragraph 9(2)(a) and (b) and (7)(b);

• in Schedule 11, paragraph 10(2)(a);

• in Schedule 15, paragraph 10(2)(a).

(4)In section 155 of the 2000 Act (power to vary specified sums), after subsection (2) there is inserted—

“(3)Subsection (4) applies in relation to the sums specified in—

(a)Part 4;

(b)Part 4A;

(c)Schedule 11;

(d)Schedule 15;

(e)Schedule 19A.

(4)In each Parliament, other than a Parliament that is dissolved less than two years after the date of its first sitting, the Secretary of State must either—

(a)make an order in pursuance of subsection (2)(a), or

(b)lay before Parliament a statement setting out the Secretary of State's reasons for not doing so.”

(5)The amendment made by subsection (4) does not apply in relation to the Parliament during which this Act is passed.

Election expensesU.K.

21Limitation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general electionsU.K.

(1)In the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2) (“the 1983 Act”), after section 76 there is inserted—

“76ZALimitation of pre-candidacy election expenses for certain general elections

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a Parliament is not dissolved until after the period of 55 months beginning with the day on which that Parliament first met (“the 55-month period”),

(b)election expenses are incurred by or on behalf of a candidate at the parliamentary general election which follows the dissolution, and

(c)the expenses are incurred in respect of a matter which is used during the period beginning immediately after the 55-month period and ending with the day on which the person becomes a candidate at that election.

For the purposes of this section, section 90ZA(1) has effect with the omission of the words “after the date when he becomes a candidate at the election”.

(2)Election expenses incurred as mentioned in subsection (1) must not in the aggregate exceed the permitted amount, which is the relevant percentage of the following sum—

(a)for a candidate at an election in a county constituency, £25,000 plus 7p for every entry in the register of electors;

(b)for a candidate at an election in a borough constituency, £25,000 plus 5p for every entry in the register of electors.

(3)The relevant percentage is—

(a)100% where the dissolution was during the 60th month of the Parliament;

(b)90% where the dissolution was during its 59th month;

(c)80% where the dissolution was during its 58th month;

(d)70% where the dissolution was during its 57th month;

(e)60% where the dissolution was during its 56th month.

For the purposes of this subsection, the “56th month” of a Parliament is the month beginning immediately after the 55-month period; and so on.

(4)In subsection (2) above “the register of electors” means the register of parliamentary electors for the constituency in question as it has effect on the last day for publication of notice of the election.

(5)Where election expenses are incurred as mentioned in subsection (1) in excess of the permitted amount, any candidate or election agent who—

(a)incurred, or authorised the incurring of, the election expenses, and

(b)knew or ought reasonably to have known that the expenses would be incurred in excess of that amount,

shall be guilty of an illegal practice.

(6)The candidate's personal expenses do not count towards the permitted amount.”

(2)The amendments made by this section do not apply in relation to any expenses—

(a)incurred before the commencement of this section, or

(b)incurred in respect of any matters used before 1 January 2010.

22Election expenses: guidance by CommissionU.K.

In Schedule 4A to the 1983 Act (election expenses), in paragraph 14 (guidance by Electoral Commission), for the words in sub-paragraph (1) from “giving guidance” to the end there is substituted “giving—

(a)guidance as to the matters which do, or do not, fall within Part 1 or Part 2 of this Schedule;

(b)guidance (supplementing the definition in section 90ZA(3) above) as to the cases or circumstances in which expenses are, or are not, to be regarded as incurred for the purposes of a candidate's election.”

Part 3U.K.Elections

23Election falling within canvass periodU.K.

F2(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)In section 13 of that Act (publication of registers), after subsection (1) there is inserted—

“(1A)Subsection (1)(a) above has effect, in the case of a registration officer acting for an area in which (or in part of which) an election to which section 13B below applies is held during the period—

(a)starting with 1st July in the year in question, and

(b)ending with 1st December in that year,

as if for “1st December in that year” there were substituted “ 1st February in the following year ”.”

24Candidate at parliamentary election may withhold home address from publicationU.K.

(1)Schedule 1 to the 1983 Act (parliamentary elections rules) is amended as follows.

(2)In rule 6 (nomination of candidates)—

(a)sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (2) is omitted;

(b)after paragraph (3) there is inserted—

“(4)The nomination paper must be accompanied by a form (in this Schedule referred to as the “home address form”) which states the candidate's—

(a)full names, and

(b)home address in full.

Provision in paragraph (1) above about delivery of the nomination paper applies also to the home address form.

(5)The home address form—

(a)may contain a statement made and signed by the candidate that he requires the home address not to be made public; and

(b)if it does so, must state the constituency within which that address is situated (or, if that address is outside the United Kingdom, the country within which it is situated).”

(3)In rule 11 (right to attend nomination)—

(a)in paragraph (3), after “nomination paper” there is inserted “ and associated home address form ”;

(b)after paragraph (4) there is inserted—

“(5)The returning officer shall not permit a home address form to be inspected otherwise than in accordance with this rule, or for some other purpose authorised by law.”

(4)In rule 12 (validity of nomination papers), in paragraph (1)—

(a)after “consent to it” there is inserted “ and the home address form ”;

(b)after sub-paragraph (a) there is inserted—

“(aa)the returning officer decides that the home address form does not comply with rule 6(4); or”.

(5)In rule 14 (publication of statement of persons nominated), after paragraph (3) there is inserted—

“(3A)In relation to a nominated person in whose case the home address form (or, if the person is nominated by more than one nomination paper, any of the home address forms) contains—

(a)the statement mentioned in rule 6(5)(a), and

(b)the information mentioned in rule 6(5)(b),

the reference in paragraph (2) to the person's address shall be read as a reference to the information mentioned in rule 6(5)(b).”

(6)After paragraph (4) of that rule there is inserted—

“(4A)Where—

(a)two or more of the names shown on the statement are the same or so similar as to be likely to cause confusion,

(b)paragraph (3A) applies in relation to each of the persons in question, and

(c)the information mentioned in rule 6(5)(b) is the same for each of them,

the returning officer may cause any of their particulars to be shown on the statement with such amendments or additions as the officer thinks appropriate in order to reduce the likelihood of confusion.

(4B)Where it is practicable to do so before the publication of the statement, the returning officer shall consult any person whose particulars are to be amended or added to under paragraph (4A).

(4C)The returning officer must give notice in writing to any person whose particulars are amended or added to under paragraph (4A).

(4D)Anything done by a returning officer in pursuance of paragraph (4A) must not be questioned in any proceedings other than proceedings on an election petition.

(4E)A returning officer must have regard to any guidance issued by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of paragraph (4A).”

(7)Before rule 54 there is inserted—

“53A“Destruction of home address forms

“53AThe returning officer shall destroy each candidate's home address form—

(a)on the next working day following the 21st day after the officer has returned the name of the member elected; or

(b)if an election petition questioning the election or return is presented before that day, on the next working day following the conclusion of proceedings on the petition or on appeal from such proceedings.”

25Disposal of election documents in ScotlandU.K.

In the 1983 Act—

(a)in section 63 (breach of official duty), in subsection (3)(b), the words “sheriff clerk,” are omitted;

(b)in Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules), for rule 58 there is substituted—

“58(1)This rule modifies rules 55 to 57 in relation to elections in Scotland.

(2)In relation to such elections—

(a)the documents mentioned in rule 55(1)—

(i)are not to be forwarded by the returning officer as required by that rule,

(ii)instead, are to remain in the returning officer's custody (and be endorsed by the officer as required by that rule);

(b)the references in rules 56 and 57 to the relevant registration officer are to be read as references to the returning officer (and rule 55(1A) is to be disregarded);

(c)the reference in rule 57(1) to the documents to be retained is to be read as a reference to the documents remaining in the returning officer's custody under sub-paragraph (a)(ii).”

F326Filling vacant European Parliament seats in Northern IrelandU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F427Returning officers for elections to the European ParliamentU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part 4U.K.Electoral registration

Identifying informationU.K.

F630Voluntary provision of identifying informationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F631Regulations amending or supplementing section 30U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F632Report by Electoral Commission on provision of identifying informationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F633Obligatory provision of identifying informationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F634Provision supplementing section 33U.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Data schemesU.K.

F735Schemes for provision of data to registration officersU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F736Schemes under section 35: proposals, consultation and evaluationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

InterpretationU.K.

F837Meaning of expressions relating to registrationU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Part 5U.K.General

38Meaning of “the 1983 Act” and “the 2000 Act”U.K.

In this Act—

• “the 1983 Act” means the Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2);

• “the 2000 Act” means the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41).

F9 38A Functions of the Minister for the Cabinet OfficeU.K.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

39 Amendments and repealsU.K.

Schedules 6 (minor and consequential amendments) and 7 (repeals) have effect.

40Transitional provisionU.K.

In relation to England and Wales, a reference in this Act to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months (including any such reference inserted in any other Act) is to be read, in the case of an offence committed before [F102 May 2022], as a reference to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

41MoneyU.K.

(1)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided.

(2)There shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums to be charged on and paid out of that Fund under any other Act.

(3)There shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable into that Fund under any other Act.

42ExtentU.K.

(1)This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

F11(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

43 CommencementU.K.

(1)This Act comes into force on whatever day or days the Secretary of State appoints by order made by statutory instrument.

(2)An order under subsection (1)—

(a)may make different provision for different purposes or different areas;

(b)may make transitional or saving provision.

(3)An order under subsection (1) bringing into force any provision of section 10 or 11, or Schedule 4, may make such supplementary, incidental or consequential provision as the Secretary of State considers appropriate—

(a)for the general purposes, or any particular purposes, of those sections or that Schedule, or

(b)in consequence of, or for giving full effect to, any provision of those sections or that Schedule.

(4)An order made by virtue of subsection (3) may make provision amending this Act or the 2000 Act.

An order that makes any such provision must not be made unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing it has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(5)Subsection (1) does not apply to—

(a)section 1(1) and (3),

(b)sections 4, 5 and 7, paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 27 of Schedule 6 and the entry in Schedule 7 relating to Schedule 1 to the 2000 Act,

(c)section 19 and Schedule 5,

(d)section 22,

(e)section 26,

(f)section 32(6),

(g)section 38,

(h)section 39 so far as relating to provisions in Schedules 6 and 7 mentioned above, and

(i)sections 40 to 44,

which accordingly come into force on the day on which this Act is passed.

44Short titleU.K.

This Act may be cited as the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009.