Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

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—

Paragraph 6(1) of Schedule 19A (failure to give notification or report within specified period)On summary conviction: Level 5
Paragraph 6(2) of Schedule 19A (giving notification or report that fails to comply with requirements of that Schedule)

On summary conviction in England and Wales or Scotland: statutory maximum or 12 months

On summary conviction in Northern Ireland: statutory maximum or 6 months

On indictment: fine or 1 year

Paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 19A (making false declaration in notification or report)

On summary conviction in England and Wales or Scotland: statutory maximum or 12 months

On summary conviction in Northern Ireland: statutory maximum or 6 months

On indictment: fine or 1 year.

(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.