Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 Alert Sample


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View the Parallel Parliament page for the Representation of the People Bill 2024-26

Information since 11 Nov 2025, 6:19 p.m.


Publications and Debates

Date Type Title
16th April 2026 Committee stage
14th April 2026 Committee stage
27th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 27 March 2026
No New Amendments
26th March 2026 Committee stage: 5th sitting
26th March 2026 Selection of amendments: Commons Chair’s selection and grouping of amendments for debate in Committee
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by Conservatives Abroad (RPB35)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Black Equity Organisation (BEO) (RPB41)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Nicola Williamson (RPB43)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by the Local Government Association (LGA) (RPB42)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA) (RPB40)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by Karen Jones FCIPD, DL, Chair, Electoral Management Board for Wales (RPB39)
26th March 2026 Amendment Paper Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 26 March 2026
1 New Amendment
26th March 2026 Bill proceedings: Commons Public Bill Committee Proceedings as at 26 March 2026
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by The Politics Project (RPB38)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the UK Democracy Fund (RPB37)
26th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by the Electoral Management Board for Scotland (EMB) (RPB36)
25th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 25 March 2026
4 New Amendments
24th March 2026 Committee stage: 3rd sitting
24th March 2026 Committee stage: 4th sitting
24th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by the Scottish Assessors' Association (RPB32)
24th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Children's Commissioner (RPB34)
24th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Belfast City Youth Council (RPB30)
24th March 2026 Amendment Paper Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 24 March 2026
1 New Amendment
24th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Edward Jackson (RPB33)
24th March 2026 Written evidence Supplementary written evidence submitted by Transparency International UK (RPB31)
24th March 2026 Selection of amendments: Commons Chair’s selection and grouping of amendments for debate in Committee
20th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 20 March 2026
4 New Amendments
19th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 19 March 2026
No New Amendments
19th March 2026 Selection of amendments: Commons Chair’s selection and grouping of amendments for debate in Committee
18th March 2026 Committee stage: 1st sitting
18th March 2026 Committee stage: 2nd sitting
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Campaign for Compulsory Voting (RPB09)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Marie Bosnjak (RPB07)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Dr Ben Stanford (RPB03)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Marcus J Ball, Private Prosecutor & Legal Reform Campaigner, ExecProsec (RPB02)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Politics in Action (RPB11)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Electoral Psychology Observatory (EPO), at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) (RPB19)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Labour International CLP (RPB29)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Unlock Democracy (RPB20)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Alan Renwick (RPB23)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) (RPB24)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Online Safety Act Network (RPB01)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Open Britain (RPB10)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Generation Rent (RPB28)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Elect Her (RPB04)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Migrant Democracy Project (MDP) (RPB05)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by The Jo Cox Foundation (RPB06)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Dr Sam Power, University of Bristol (RPB08)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Electoral Reform Society (RPB12)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Professor Toby S. James, University of East Anglia and Electoral Integrity Project (RPB13)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by 50:50 Parliament and Centenary Action (joint submission) (RPB14)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Centre for Finance and Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) (RPB15)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by a coalition of civil society organisations (joint submission) (RPB16)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Spotlight on Corruption (RPB17)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Full Fact (RPB18)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Association for Citizenship Teaching (ACT) (RPB21)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Reform Political Advertising (RPB22)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Further written evidence submitted by Elect Her (RPB25)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by the Electoral Management Board for Scotland (EMB) (RPB26)
18th March 2026 Written evidence Written evidence submitted by Internet Matters (RPB27)
18th March 2026 Amendment Paper Public Bill Committee Amendments as at 18 March 2026
No New Amendments
17th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 17 March 2026
29 New Amendments
16th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 16 March 2026
4 New Amendments
13th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 13 March 2026
26 New Amendments
12th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 12 March 2026
No New Amendments
11th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 11 March 2026
No New Amendments
10th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 10 March 2026
2 New Amendments
9th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 9 March 2026
3 New Amendments
6th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 6 March 2026
No New Amendments
5th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 5 March 2026
1 New Amendment
4th March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 4 March 2026
7 New Amendments
3rd March 2026 Amendment Paper Notices of Amendments as at 3 March 2026
4 New Amendments
3rd March 2026 Press notices Representation of the People Bill: call for evidence
2nd March 2026 2nd reading
2nd March 2026 Money resolution
2nd March 2026 Programme motion
2nd March 2026 Carry-over motion
25th February 2026 Briefing papers Representation of the People Bill 2024-26
12th February 2026 1st reading
12th February 2026 Delegated Powers Memorandum Delegated Powers Memorandum from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
12th February 2026 Impact Assessments Impact assessment from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government
12th February 2026 Explanatory Notes Bill 384 EN 2024-26 - large print
12th February 2026 Explanatory Notes Bill 384 EN 2024-26
12th February 2026 Human rights memorandum ECHR Memorandum for the Representation of the People Bill
12th February 2026 Bill Bill 384 2024-26 (as introduced) - large print
12th February 2026 Bill Bill 384 2024-26 (as introduced) - xml download
12th February 2026 Bill Bill 384 2024-26 (as introduced)

Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 mentioned

Live Transcript

Note: Cited speaker in live transcript data may not always be accurate. Check video link to confirm.

12 Feb 2026, 11:26 a.m. - House of Lords
" My Lords, I welcome the imminent >> My Lords, I welcome the imminent publication of the representation of the people Bill, and I trust that it is radical and will include "
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
12 Feb 2026, 1:09 p.m. - House of Commons
" Representation of the people. Bill. >> Second Reading. What day? >> Monday, the 23rd of February. >> Monday, the 23rd of February. We "
Presentation of bill - View Video - View Transcript
26 Feb 2026, 10:37 a.m. - House of Commons
"the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill Tuesday, the 3rd of March. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer will make our spring "
Joy Morrissey MP (Beaconsfield, Conservative) - View Video - View Transcript
12 Mar 2026, 12:27 p.m. - House of Commons
"Representation of the People Bill, which will introduce new measures to create a very powerful deterrent "
Dan Jarvis MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Barnsley North, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
12 Mar 2026, 12:14 p.m. - House of Commons
"In addition, the Representation of the People Bill will introduce a new aggravating factor empowering "
Dan Jarvis MP, The Minister of State, Home Department (Barnsley North, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
19 Mar 2026, 1:57 p.m. - House of Commons
"because the government has brought forward the Representation of the People Bill. There is much to like, "
Matt Western MP (Warwick and Leamington, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
19 Mar 2026, 1:54 p.m. - House of Commons
"through the new Representation of the People Bill, alongside its "
Matt Western MP (Warwick and Leamington, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 12:56 p.m. - House of Commons
"later. They brought forward the Representation of the People Bill. Before this review had been "
Rt Hon Sir James Cleverly MP (Braintree, Conservative) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 12:51 p.m. - House of Commons
"report, and we will introduce an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill to place a "
Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Streatham and Croydon North, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 12:44 p.m. - House of Commons
"strengthening this through our Representation of the People Bill and counter Political Interference "
Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Streatham and Croydon North, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 12:46 p.m. - House of Commons
"the Commons Report stage of the Representation of the People Bill, we will provide a comprehensive "
Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Streatham and Croydon North, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 1:05 p.m. - House of Commons
"that the Representation of the People Bill is not nearly ambitious enough, and so I very much look forward to working as part of the "
Lisa Smart MP (Hazel Grove, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 1:28 p.m. - House of Commons
"Representation of the People Bill goes through this House. Thank you. "
Zöe Franklin MP (Guildford, Liberal Democrat) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 1:29 p.m. - House of Commons
"much further, and in respect of the amendments that he said, he will amend the Representation of the People Bill wherever necessary. As "
Dr Ellie Chowns MP (North Herefordshire, Green Party) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 1:47 p.m. - House of Commons
"the Representation of the People Bill, to ban developers from donating to politics and restore "
Chris Hinchliff MP (North East Hertfordshire, Labour) - View Video - View Transcript
25 Mar 2026, 1:43 p.m. - House of Commons
"provisions in the Representation of the People Bill and why we will be bringing forward further amendments. "
Rt Hon Steve Reed MP, The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Streatham and Croydon North, Labour ) - View Video - View Transcript


Calendar
Thursday 16th April 2026 11:30 a.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Thursday 16th April 2026 2 p.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 14th April 2026 9:25 a.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 14th April 2026 2 p.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Thursday 26th March 2026 11:30 a.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 24th March 2026 9:25 a.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Tuesday 24th March 2026 2 p.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Debate
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
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Wednesday 18th March 2026 9:25 a.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Oral evidence
Subject: To consider the Bill
At 9:25am: Oral evidence
Peter Stanyon - Chief Executive at Association of Electoral Administrators
Emily Yule - Spokesperson for Elections and Democratic Renewal and Deputy Chief Executive of Norwich City Council at Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE)
Councillor Kevin Bentley - Conservative Group Leader and LGA Senior Vice-Chairman at Local Government Association (LGA)
At 10:05am: Oral evidence
Vijay Rangarajan - Chief Executive at Electoral Commission
At 10:25am: Oral evidence
Dr Jess Garland - Director of Research and Policy at Electoral Reform Society
At 10:45am: Oral evidence
Karen Jones - Chair at Electoral Management Board (Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru)
Malcolm Burr - Chief Secretary and Convenor of the Board at Electoral Management Board for Scotland
Mr Robert Nicol - Vice Chair at Scottish Assessors Association
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Wednesday 18th March 2026 2 p.m.
Representation of the People Bill - Oral evidence
Subject: Further to consider the Bill
At 2:00pm: Oral evidence
Dr David Marshall - Chief Electoral Officer at Electoral Office for Northern Ireland
Cahir Hughes - Head at Electoral Commission Northern Ireland
At 2:25pm: Oral evidence
Harriet Andrews - Director at The Politics Project
Andrew Mycock - Chief Policy Fellow at Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research
At 2:50pm: Oral evidence
Professor Toby James - Professor of Politics and Public Policy (also co-Director of the Electoral Integrity Project) at University of East Anglia
Professor Paul Bernal - Professor in Information Technology Law at University of East Anglia
At 3:15pm: Oral evidence
Harry Busz - Deputy Director of Policy at Democracy Volunteers
Cllr Peter Golds - Councillor for Island Gardens at London Borough of Tower Hamlets council
Richard Mawrey KC - Barrister at Henderson Chambers
At 3:55pm: Oral evidence
Mr Alexander Browder - Author of “Confronting the Illicit-Finance Hydra in Crypto Markets: Protecting Retail Investors and Disrupting Hostile Government Exploitation” at Henry Jackson Society
At 4:10pm: Oral evidence
Colin Blackwell - Deputy Chair at Conservatives Abroad
Imogen Tyreman - Chair at Labour International
Richard Williams - National Policy Representative at Labour International
Jenny Shorten - Chair at Liberal Democrats Abroad
Tom McAdam - Secretary of the Steering Committee at Liberal Democrats Abroad
At 4:40pm: Oral evidence
Azzurra Moores - Associate Director (Information Ecosystems) at Demos
Chris Morris - Chief Executive at Full Fact
At 5:05pm: Oral evidence
Duncan Hames - Director of Policy at Transparency International
Dr Susan Hawley - Executive Director at Spotlight on Corruption
Dr Sam Power - Lecturer, School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies at University of Bristol
At 5:35pm: Oral evidence
Samantha Dixon MP - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Monday 16th March 2026 6 p.m.
Representation of the People Bill: Programming Sub Committee - Private Meeting
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Parliamentary Debates
Representation of the People Bill (Fifth sitting)
88 speeches (15,647 words)
Thursday 26th March 2026 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
92 speeches (9,283 words)
Wednesday 25th March 2026 - Commons Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Steve Reed (LAB - Streatham and Croydon North) We will introduce an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill to place an annual cap on the - Link to Speech
2: James Cleverly (Con - Braintree) The Representation of the People Bill has already been through Second Reading and is in Committee, yet - Link to Speech
3: Freddie van Mierlo (LD - Henley and Thame) While the Secretary of State is considering amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, will - Link to Speech

Foreign Financial Influence and Interference: UK Politics
1 speech (1,100 words)
Wednesday 25th March 2026 - Written Statements
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Steve Reed (LAB - Streatham and Croydon North) actions that we will take to simplify, protect and promote our valued democracy.The Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Representation of the People Bill (Fourth sitting)
130 speeches (19,580 words)
Committee stage: 4th sitting
Tuesday 24th March 2026 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Representation of the People Bill (Third sitting)
85 speeches (17,360 words)
Committee stage: 3rd sitting
Tuesday 24th March 2026 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
National Security Strategy, Political Finance and Foreign Influence
5 speeches (1,413 words)
Thursday 19th March 2026 - Commons Chamber

Mentions:
1: Matt Western (Lab - Warwick and Leamington) The Government deserve credit for addressing the basic failures through the new Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Representation of the People Bill (Second sitting)
138 speeches (33,479 words)
Committee stage: 2nd sitting
Wednesday 18th March 2026 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Ellie Chowns (Green - North Herefordshire) Given that we are discussing the Representation of the People Bill, that is not a situation in which - Link to Speech

Representation of the People Bill (First sitting)
95 speeches (17,963 words)
Committee stage: 1st sitting
Wednesday 18th March 2026 - Public Bill Committees
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Lord Mandelson: Response to Humble Address Motion
45 speeches (6,193 words)
Tuesday 17th March 2026 - Lords Chamber
Cabinet Office
Mentions:
1: Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD - Life peer) Wealth and money in politics is something we are all going to face as the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer) of people’s outside interests compared to the other place.The noble Lord raised the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Defending Democracy Taskforce
41 speeches (8,071 words)
Thursday 12th March 2026 - Commons Chamber
Cabinet Office
Mentions:
1: Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North) In addition, the Representation of the People Bill will introduce a new aggravating factor, empowering - Link to Speech
2: Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North) I am really grateful to her for the important work that she is doing on the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Housing, Communities and Local Government
7 speeches (537 words)
Wednesday 11th March 2026 - Written Corrections
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Steve Reed (LAB - Streatham and Croydon North) definition.Representation of the People BillThe following extract is from Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Iranian State-sponsored Cyber Attacks: Mitigation and Preparation
24 speeches (1,976 words)
Wednesday 11th March 2026 - Lords Chamber
Cabinet Office
Mentions:
1: Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer) why the Rycroft review into funding of political parties is so important and why the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Oral Answers to Questions
152 speeches (9,610 words)
Thursday 5th March 2026 - Commons Chamber
Cabinet Office
Mentions:
1: Peter Swallow (Lab - Bracknell) This week, we have had the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill, which seeks to strengthen - Link to Speech

China: Foreign Interference Arrests
65 speeches (8,238 words)
Wednesday 4th March 2026 - Commons Chamber
Cabinet Office
Mentions:
1: Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North) covertly influencing UK public discourse and policymaking.In February, we introduced the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
2: Lisa Smart (LD - Hazel Grove) democracy, and there is an opportunity to limit the influence of foreign money through the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
3: Edward Morello (LD - West Dorset) Would the Government consider new clauses to the Representation of the People Bill to widen and strengthen - Link to Speech
4: Dan Jarvis (Lab - Barnsley North) She will obviously understand that the Rycroft review and the Representation of the People Bill will - Link to Speech

Security Update
29 speeches (6,516 words)
Wednesday 4th March 2026 - Lords Chamber
Northern Ireland Office
Mentions:
1: Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer) covertly influencing UK public discourse and policy-making.In February, we introduced the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
2: Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD - Life peer) We hope that will be part of what we will all actively discuss when we come to the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab - Life peer) I look forward to discussing it when we are looking at the Representation of the People Bill. - Link to Speech

Ballot Secrecy Act: Breaches
15 speeches (1,474 words)
Wednesday 4th March 2026 - Lords Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) The Representation of the People Bill, which we will discuss thoroughly in this House, had its Second - Link to Speech

Community Cohesion
41 speeches (13,457 words)
Tuesday 3rd March 2026 - Westminster Hall
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Roz Savage (LD - South Cotswolds) It is eroded when people feel powerless, as came up last night in the debate on the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Representation of the People Bill
262 speeches (37,568 words)
2nd reading
Monday 2nd March 2026 - Commons Chamber
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Steve Reed (LAB - Streatham and Croydon North) That is why we are debating the Representation of the People Bill: to secure our elections against those - Link to Speech
2: Steve Reed (LAB - Streatham and Croydon North) Today, we debate the latest Representation of the People Bill, responding to our circumstances today.In - Link to Speech
3: Roz Savage (LD - South Cotswolds) Let the Representation of the People Bill ensure that the will of the people is truly represented. - Link to Speech

Business of the House
90 speeches (10,257 words)
Thursday 26th February 2026 - Commons Chamber
Leader of the House
Mentions:
1: Alan Campbell (Lab - Tynemouth) I have just announced the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill, so there will be an - Link to Speech

UK-German Relations
30 speeches (8,424 words)
Wednesday 25th February 2026 - Westminster Hall
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Mentions:
1: Anneliese Dodds (LAB - Oxford East) The Representation of the People Bill is now progressing through the UK Parliament and we have Philip - Link to Speech

Donations to Political Parties
30 speeches (7,322 words)
Thursday 12th February 2026 - Grand Committee
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Mentions:
1: Lord Pack (LD - Life peer) impressive timing of this debate, coming just after the Government have published the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech
2: Baroness Shah (Lab - Life peer) I welcome the Government’s announcement today on the Representation of the People Bill and, in particular - Link to Speech
3: Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con - Life peer) The electoral strategy was published seven months ago, and the Representation of the People Bill is only - Link to Speech
4: Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Lab - Life peer) As many Lords have said, it is timely indeed, as we are pleased to introduce the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

Security of Candidates, MPs and Elections
17 speeches (1,562 words)
Thursday 12th February 2026 - Lords Chamber

Mentions:
1: Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab - Life peer) My Lords, I welcome the imminent publication of the representation of the people Bill and I trust that - Link to Speech
2: Lord Lemos (Lab - Life peer) The representation of the people Bill is introduced today—so this is breaking news, as it were—and it - Link to Speech



Select Committee Documents
Friday 27th March 2026
Report - 4th Report – The National Security Strategy

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

Found: will provide the Government with “suggestions” to take this issue forward.128 The Representation of the People Bill

Friday 27th March 2026
Report - 4th Report - Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy

Foreign Affairs Committee

Found: The Government introduced the Representation of the People Bill on 12 February 2026.

Wednesday 18th March 2026
Report - 3rd Report - Political finance and foreign influence

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

Found: Second is the set of missteps in the Representation of the People Bill.

Tuesday 17th March 2026
Correspondence - Letter from Rt Hon Darren Jones MP, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister & Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on Standards in Public Life, dated 11.3.26

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Found: , of relevance to this area is the introduction to Parliament of the Representation of the People Bill

Monday 16th March 2026
Correspondence - Response from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to political finance, dated 9 March

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

Found: your concerns and your view that we should maximise the opportunity presented by the Representation of the People Bill

Wednesday 11th March 2026
Oral Evidence - Electoral Commission, Electoral Commission, and Electoral Commission

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Found: of that, we have the work we are doing with the Minister and her colleagues on the Representation of the People Bill

Wednesday 11th March 2026
Oral Evidence - Local Government Boundary Commission for England, and Local Government Boundary Commission for England

Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission

Found: of that, we have the work we are doing with the Minister and her colleagues on the Representation of the People Bill

Tuesday 24th February 2026
Correspondence - Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government relating to political finance, dated 23 February 2026

National Security Strategy (Joint Committee)

Found: risks of foreign interference in the UK’s political finance system.1 We welcome the Representation of the People Bill

Tuesday 24th February 2026
Oral Evidence - Daniel Greenberg CB, and Paula Sussex CBE

Propriety, ethics and the wider standards landscape in the UK - Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Found: The Representation of the People Bill has its Second Reading here next week, and I hope that the Government

Tuesday 24th February 2026
Oral Evidence - John Pullinger CB, and Ed Humpherson CB

Propriety, ethics and the wider standards landscape in the UK - Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee

Found: The Representation of the People Bill has its Second Reading here next week, and I hope that the Government



Select Committee Inquiry
17 Mar 2026
Modernising Elections
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee (Select)

Submit Evidence (by 22 Apr 2026)


The Government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which includes its manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16. They have described this Bill as “the biggest expansion of democratic participation in a generation”. The Bill had its second reading on 2 March 2026.

This inquiry will examine the health of electoral democracy in the UK today, in light of the decline in voter turnout in recent elections and diminishing voter trust in democratic institutions. We will scrutinise the potential effectiveness of the Government’s proposals for increasing democratic engagement, including its reforms to the voting age and the move towards automated systems of voter registration. We will also consider best practice for implementation of these changes.

The Government have commissioned an independent review, led by Philip Rycroft, into foreign financial interference in UK politics. Our inquiry will also consider this issue and the outcome of that review. The Government have said that the measures in the Representation of the People Bill “will mean foreign actors will no longer be able to use their money to interfere in the UK’s elections.” Our inquiry will assess whether these changes will be effective in closing existing loopholes in the rules governing foreign political donations and whether further reforms are needed.

Large majorities of voters reported seeing some kind of misinformation on social media at the last general election and do not believe that the enough is being done to tackle this. Our inquiry will also take evidence on what more can be done to reduce voters’ exposure to mis- and disinformation.



Written Answers
Electoral Register
Asked by: Lord Pack (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Monday 30th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 13 March (HL15001), whether the review of election documentation will be completed in time for any necessary changes to primary legislation to be incorporated in the Representation of the People Bill.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The planned review of election documentation will not be completed in time for any changes to be included in the Representation of the People Bill.

However, the Government is planning to consolidate existing legislation regarding election documentation using the powers from the bill. This will make it simpler for the Government to make improvements to the prescribed format and design of electoral documents through secondary legislation, including potential changes informed by the outcomes of the review.

Elections: Proof of Identity
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Friday 27th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 9 Match 2026, to Question 116479, on Elections: Proof of Identity, whether the cash withdrawal cards that will be accepted as identification will include reloadable, non-bank-account-linked payment cards.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon. Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out the requirements that a card must meet in order to be accepted at the polling station – they must be a physical credit card, charge card, debit card or prepaid card; they must display the individual’s first name and last name, or first initial and last name; the card must be issued by a person who is regulated or authorised by either the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. It may be possible for a reloadable, non-bank-account-linked payment card to meet these criteria.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Wednesday 25th March 2026

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, with reference to the Electoral Commission publication, Understanding the Representation of the People Bill, updated March 2026, whether the Electoral Commission has made an assessment of the potential impact of its proposal that a company’s profit should be used as the measure of its earnings on political parties.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Electoral Commission has long called for reforms that ensure that only companies that make enough money in the UK can donate to political parties. It has recommended using profit as the measure that would more effectively prevent foreign money from entering the system, by providing the strongest guarantee that donations by a company can only be from money made in the UK.

In developing its recommendation, the Commission considered the potential impact on the integrity and sustainability of political party funding, as well as the impact on the ability of legitimate companies to participate in the UK's democratic processes.

Voting Rights: Young People
Asked by: David Simmonds (Conservative - Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner)
Wednesday 18th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the planned implementation date for the lowering of the voting age to 16.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government was elected on a manifesto commitment to extend the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds in all UK elections. To deliver this commitment, the Representation of the People Bill was introduced Parliament on 12 February 2026 and received its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 2 March 2026.

Extending the franchise to 16- and 17-year-olds represents a significant change to the electoral franchise and requires careful planning to implement effectively. Subject to Parliamentary passage of the Bill, the government intends for the franchise change to be in place in good time ahead of the next UK Parliamentary General Election.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Wednesday 18th March 2026

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, how long the Electoral Commission will hold data from proposed returns under the Representation of the People Bill; and whether that data will be (a) published online and (b) archived.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Representation of the People Bill proposes extending the Electoral Commission’s remit to include enforcement of the candidate spending regime. The Bill would require candidates to submit spending returns to the Commission and to Returning Officers.

Returning Officers will continue to make spending returns available for a two-year period. The Commission will publish spending returns through its Political Finance Online system, beyond the two-year retention period. This will provide important transparency for voters.

Political Parties: Certification
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Wednesday 18th March 2026

Question

To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission has provided on the withdrawal of certificates authorising party political descriptions before the close of nominations.

Answered by Jeremy Wright

The Commission provides guidance for candidates and agents on the certificate of authorisation and the nominations process. There is currently no provision to allow for the withdrawal of certificates of authorisation once received by the Returning Officer.

The Representation of the People Bill proposes a change to enable parties to withdraw support from a candidate up to 48 hours before the end of the nominations period, where nomination papers have already been submitted.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a scheme to assist political parties with the implementation costs of the Representation of the People Bill.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government has no plans to introduce a scheme to support political parties with the implementation costs of the Representation of the People Bill.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, February 2026, Table 8, what proportion of the donation value that would now be impermissible was made to (a) Reform Party, (b) Brexit Party and (c) the regulated donors from that party.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, Table 8, we estimate that around 26% - 29% of donations from companies made in the year prior to the 2024 General Election would not meet the permissibility criteria.

All businesses, including small businesses, will need to meet strict new criteria in order to make political donations. Requiring donors to demonstrate a genuine UK connection is key in protecting against foreign actors from using shell companies to channel foreign or illlicit money into UK politics.

Impacts have not been assessed at an individual party level. We are not restricting donations to specific parties; the measures apply equally to recipients of political donations. This ensures that donees adhere to the same standards, thereby safeguarding all UK political parties from foreign interference.

The vast majority of businesses do not make political donations and therefore will not be affected by these rule changes.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, February 2026, para 386, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of corporate donation reforms on small businesses wishing to make donations.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, Table 8, we estimate that around 26% - 29% of donations from companies made in the year prior to the 2024 General Election would not meet the permissibility criteria.

All businesses, including small businesses, will need to meet strict new criteria in order to make political donations. Requiring donors to demonstrate a genuine UK connection is key in protecting against foreign actors from using shell companies to channel foreign or illlicit money into UK politics.

Impacts have not been assessed at an individual party level. We are not restricting donations to specific parties; the measures apply equally to recipients of political donations. This ensures that donees adhere to the same standards, thereby safeguarding all UK political parties from foreign interference.

The vast majority of businesses do not make political donations and therefore will not be affected by these rule changes.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, February 2026, Table 8, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that bill on levels of permissible donations.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in Representation of the People Bill Impact Assessment, Table 8, we estimate that around 26% - 29% of donations from companies made in the year prior to the 2024 General Election would not meet the permissibility criteria.

All businesses, including small businesses, will need to meet strict new criteria in order to make political donations. Requiring donors to demonstrate a genuine UK connection is key in protecting against foreign actors from using shell companies to channel foreign or illlicit money into UK politics.

Impacts have not been assessed at an individual party level. We are not restricting donations to specific parties; the measures apply equally to recipients of political donations. This ensures that donees adhere to the same standards, thereby safeguarding all UK political parties from foreign interference.

The vast majority of businesses do not make political donations and therefore will not be affected by these rule changes.

Elections: Intimidation
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill, whether an election offence of intimidating council staff can apply after the close of poll, including to election counts.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Provisions in the Representation of the People Bill will empower courts to give tougher sentences to those who abuse candidates, campaigners, elected representatives and electoral staff by introducing a new statutory aggravating factor. The Bill will also extend the disqualification order regime, so that intimidatory offences against electoral staff can now lead to the application of a disqualification order.

As drafted, a relevant offence committed after the close of poll would lead to the application of the aggravating factor and a disqualification order, as long as the offender can be shown to have been motivated by hostility towards electoral staff.

Electoral Register: Young People
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill, at what point political parties and elected representatives will have access to the date of birth of an attainer elector.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Under the provisions set out in the Representation of the People Bill as they stand, no political parties or elected representatives will have access to the date of birth of attainers (those aged 14 and 15) under any circumstances.

The Government takes the safeguarding of young people and their data seriously, with strict controls set out in legislation on who can access information from the electoral register and for what purpose. The approach set out in the Representation of the People Bill balances the need for proportionate safeguards within our electoral system, without disadvantaging young voters from being able to participate in it.

Voting Rights
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Representation of the People Bill, what his Department’s definition is of a British citizen usually resident in the United Kingdom; and what (a) immigration and (b) domiciled status this requires.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The British Nationality Act 1981 sets out who is a British citizen and how British citizenship may be obtained.

Section 5 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 lays down general principles of residence for electoral purposes, which a registration officer must follow when deciding whether a person is resident at a particular address. The Electoral Commission’s guidance sets out clearly that each decision about residence should be made by the registration officer on a case-by-case basis.

Representation of the People Bill
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Tuesday 17th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to obtain Legislative Consent from devolved Administrations in Wales and Scotland for the Representation of the People Bill.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As is usual, the government has written to counterparts in the devolved governments asking for their consent to the Bill where this interacts with devolved competence. The Secretary of State confirmed this at Second Reading of the Bill.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Friday 13th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to commence sections 10 and 11 of the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

We have no plans at present to commence these provisions. Overseas electors have the right to participate in UK parliamentary elections, and this includes the right to donate to parties or candidates they support. Political parties and other donees can only accept donations from registered electors. Overseas electors are subject to the same counter-fraud measures as domestic electors, including having their identity confirmed as part of the registration process.

The government has commissioned the Rycroft Review to consider whether political finance laws could be strengthened. We look forward to the findings of this independent review, due in late March, and we anticipate that they will inform the Representation of the People Bill.

Voting Rights: Prisoners
Asked by: Lord Jackson of Peterborough (Conservative - Life peer)
Friday 13th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to paragraph 36 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Memorandum on the Representation of the People Bill, published on 12 February, what assessment they have made of whether the ECHR would allow for voting by convicted and jailed prisoners in some circumstances.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Prisoners convicted of a crime and serving a sentence in custody are not allowed to vote in UK Parliamentary elections, or any other elections for which responsibility is reserved.

Those imprisoned for default in paying fines or contempt of court, individuals held on remand who are not convicted, and those released on temporary licence or home detention curfew are not legally barred from voting, but they must meet the other eligibility criteria and be registered to vote.

The government has no plans to change this policy to allow prisoners to vote.

Candidates
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Friday 13th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Representation of the People Bill will allow candidates and agents to use PO Box addresses.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Through the Representation of the People Bill we are removing the requirement for candidates who are acting as their own election agent to have their home address published on the notice of election agents, ensuring that those who partake in our democracy are safe and secure in their homes.

Election agents (including candidates acting as their own agents) will still need to have an office address where legal papers could be served, therefore this cannot be a PO box. Furthermore candidates must provide their current home address on their nomination form, which therefore also cannot be a PO box. Candidates can already however request for their home address not to be published.

Electoral Register: Young People
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Thursday 12th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether automatic electoral registration, following the proposed reduction in the voting age, will be used to add attainer voters under 16 to the electoral roll.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Should some form of automated registration be introduced using the powers set out in the Representation of the People Bill, this does not apply to attainers (those aged 14 or 15). The duty on Electoral Registration Officers would only apply where they become aware of a person who is of voting age (i.e. someone aged 16 or older). 14- and 15-year-olds will be able to submit their own applications to be attainers.

Electoral Register
Asked by: Paul Holmes (Conservative - Hamble Valley)
Thursday 12th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has been made of the potential impact of adopting an opt-in approach to the open electoral register on the level of revenues to local authorities accrued from the sale of open electoral register data to third parties.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The primary purpose of the electoral register is to enable those who are eligible to vote, to register and ensure only people who are eligible to vote are permitted to do so.

HMG has not made assessment of the impact on the level of revenue to LAs accrued from the sale of the open register. However, the Impact Assessment published alongside the Representation of the People Bill, did consider the potential impact on its commercial value.

Identity Cards: Northern Ireland
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Wednesday 11th March 2026

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, for what policy reason the day of birth would be removed from electoral ID cards in Northern Ireland under the Representation of the People Bill.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The day of birth will be removed from the electoral ID to ensure that electoral identity cards are used to prove one’s identity in order to vote, rather than as a secondary form of identification, for other purposes.

Electoral Register
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Wednesday 11th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his statement to the House of Commons on 2 March 2026 on the Representation of the People Bill, col 627, how many people in the figure that he provided of 7 or 8 million people being eligible to vote but are not currently registered are (a) British citizens, (b) Irish citizens, and (c) Commonwealth citizens.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Research published in 2023 by the Electoral Commission (EC) estimated that between seven and eight million eligible people are either incorrectly registered or not registered to vote at all. As part of this research, the EC considered how the completeness of the register varied by a range of demographic characteristics, including age, gender, nationality and disability. Full data sets were published with the report which is available online on the EC’s Website. It is titled, 2023 report: Electoral Registers in the UK’.

The government believes that everyone who is entitled to vote should be able, supported and encouraged to do so. To meet the manifesto commitment to improve voter registration we will be making changes in legislation and testing ways to move towards a more automated voter registration system.

Electoral Register
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Wednesday 11th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to his statement to the House of Commons on 2 March 2026 on the Representation of the People Bill, col 624, who will determine which areas are to be selected for automatic voter registration first.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Everyone who is eligible to register to vote should be able, supported and encouraged to do so. The sole aim of moving towards automated registration is to increase the completeness and accuracy of the electoral register.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will test automated registration in a range of different locations and settings, with different characteristics and challenges, to ensure anything we implement permanently works for everyone. We will be guided throughout by principles of fairness and open engagement. We are consulting a range of stakeholders to develop this programme, including the Electoral Commission, the Association of Electoral Administrators, local authorities and civil society organisations. We will also continue to offer engagement with political parties.

The Parliamentary and Local Government Boundary Commission for England are independent of Government. The timings of Parliamentary Boundary Reviews are set by legislation, and the Government

has no plans to bring forward legislation to amend these. The timings of local electoral reviews in England are decided by the Local Boundary Commission for England, who will continue to make these decisions independently of Government.

Elections: Proof of Identity
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Monday 9th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to allow bank cards issued without a credit check to be used as a form of voter identification.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out which bank cards will be accepted at the polling station – this includes credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and cash withdrawal cards.

Elections: Proof of Identity
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Monday 9th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to allow prepaid currency cards to be used as a form of voter identification.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

I refer the Rt. Hon Member to the Representation of the People Bill 2026, which sets out which bank cards will be accepted at the polling station – this includes credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and cash withdrawal cards.

Elections: Reform
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Wednesday 4th March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what consideration he has given to the potential merits of establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform to examine reforms to the UK’s voting system and improve democratic participation.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government has no plans to establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform.


Through the Representation of the People Bill 2026, the government is taking action to improve democratic participation and public trust in politics, including improving registration processes and allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in all UK elections.

Electoral Register: British Nationals Abroad
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Monday 2nd March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of giving overseas electors the option to register to vote when they renew their British passport online.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Government is committed to improving electoral registration and is actively exploring ways to do so. The Representation of the People Bill will lay the foundations for a more automated registration system. Any changes must be tested to ensure they have a positive outcome in an already complex system.

Electoral Register: Children
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Monday 2nd March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) hon. Members, (b) councillors and (c) political parties will have access to the full electoral register with attainers aged below 16.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Under the current UK electoral framework, political parties, elected officials and candidates are entitled to request copies of the electoral register and may use them for “electoral purposes” and for the purposes of complying with rules regarding political donations, and office holders for purposes related to their office.

With regard to individuals standing for an election having access to the full register, once the provisions set out in the Representation of the People Bill come into effect, no candidates will have access to the data of 14- and 15-year-olds, unless the individual turns 16 by the polling date for that specific election. This is provided for because it is important that 15-year-olds who will turn 16 on or before polling day - and will therefore be eligible to vote - have the same opportunity to be canvassed so they can form an opinion in the same way as any other eligible voter.

The Government takes the safeguarding of young people and their data seriously, with strict controls set out in legislation on who can access information from the electoral register and for what purpose. The approach set out in the Representation of the People Bill balances the need for proportionate safeguards within our electoral system, without disadvantaging young voters from being able to participate in it.

Political Parties: Finance
Asked by: James Cleverly (Conservative - Braintree)
Monday 2nd March 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, which body forfeited monies for impermissible political donations will be given to.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

As set out in section 60 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, sums forfeited by court order under section 58 or 59 of that Act are paid into the Consolidated Fund. We have introduced the Representation of the People Bill which brings forward a package of reforms to deliver on our manifesto commitment to tighten the rules on political donations. We are reinforcing the principle that only permissible donors may fund UK politics. Where illicit funds do enter the system via impermissible donors (e.g. individuals not on the electoral register), they will be subject to full forfeiture, providing a clear deterrent and supporting compliance by political parties and campaigners.

Candidates: Terrorism
Asked by: Melanie Onn (Labour - Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes)
Thursday 26th February 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he take steps though the planned Elections Bill to ensure that individuals convicted of terrorist offences against the United Kingdom at home or abroad are disqualified from standing as candidates in any election.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

There are several existing disqualification criteria for standing as a candidate in elections in the UK which relate to criminal offences. For example, the Elections Act 2022 introduced a disqualification order for those convicted of intimidation or abuse of candidates, campaigners or elected office holders. The effect of the disqualification order is a five-year ban from standing for, or holding, elective office, in addition to any standard punishment for the underlying criminal offence. The Government has introduced the Representation of the People Bill, which will extend the disqualification order to offences motivated by hostility towards electoral staff.

The Representation of the People Act 1983 also defines corrupt and illegal election practices, for which a convicted person is disqualified for up to five years. Additionally, someone cannot be a Police and Crime Commissioner if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.

Politicians: Cryptocurrencies
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Tuesday 24th February 2026

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to ban UK politicians accepting cryptocurrency donations.

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have introduced the Representation of the People Bill which brings forward a package of reforms to deliver on our manifesto commitment to tighten the rules on political donations. It introduces a ‘Know your Donor’ scheme requiring enhanced checks on larger donations, to prevent the risk of foreign interference. It introduces tighter eligibility rules on donations from companies to ensure a genuine connection to the UK, and stricter rules and checks by unincorporated associations on the gifts they receive and donations they make.

The Rycroft Review on foreign interference in UK politics will focus on the effectiveness of the UK’s political finance laws, as well as the safeguards in place to protect our democracy from illicit money from abroad, including cryptoassets. The terms of reference for the review can be found here: Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK. Review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.

We will take any steps necessary to ensure the integrity of our system.



Parliamentary Research
Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 - CBP-10506
Feb. 25 2026

Found: Representation of the People Bill 2024-26



Department Publications - News and Communications
Wednesday 25th March 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives
Document: Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives (webpage)

Found: impact of the government’s intended approach to deliver two key amendments through the Representation of the People Bill

Wednesday 25th March 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Rycroft Review: Letter to parliamentary party representatives
Document: (PDF)

Found: to political donations rules, which we intend to bring forward as amendments to the Representation of the People Bill

Wednesday 25th March 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Cap on donations from overseas electors and ban on crypto donations to protect democracy
Document: Cap on donations from overseas electors and ban on crypto donations to protect democracy (webpage)

Found: The Government will amend the Representation of the People Bill to deliver these changes with retrospective

Thursday 12th March 2026
Home Office
Source Page: Countering harassment and intimidation of elected representatives
Document: Countering harassment and intimidation of elected representatives (webpage)

Found: In addition, the Representation of the People Bill will introduce a new aggravating factor, empowering

Wednesday 11th March 2026
Cabinet Office
Source Page: Ethics and Integrity Commission to review lobbying, disclosure and access to government
Document: (PDF)

Found: Last month also saw the introduction of the Representation of the People Bill which includes landmark

Monday 2nd March 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Weekend voting and shopping centre polling stations to be trialled
Document: Weekend voting and shopping centre polling stations to be trialled (webpage)

Found: This comes alongside the government’s landmark Representation of the People Bill which reduces barriers

Thursday 12th February 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Tougher rules on political interference to keep UK elections secure
Document: Tougher rules on political interference to keep UK elections secure (webpage)

Found: New rules, set out in the Representation of the People Bill introduced today, will provide greater transparency



Department Publications - Policy paper
Thursday 12th February 2026
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Source Page: Representation of the People Bill: Policy summaries
Document: Representation of the People Bill: Policy summaries (webpage)

Found: Representation of the People Bill: Policy summaries




Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 mentioned in Scottish results


Scottish Parliamentary Debates
Representation of the People Bill (Legislative Consent Memorandum)
3 speeches (1,451 words)
Thursday 12th March 2026 - Committee
Mentions:
1: Whitfield, Martin (Lab - South Scotland) The memorandum relates to the Representation of the People Bill, which was introduced in the House of - Link to Speech



Scottish Calendar
Tuesday 17th March 2026 10 a.m.
11th Meeting, 2026 (Session 6)
The committee will meet at 10:00am at T1.40-CR5 The Smith Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv. 1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 4, 5, 6 and 7 in private. 2. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Non-Domestic Rates (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/135) 3. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (Commencement) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/113 (C.9))Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/115 (C.10))Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 (Commencement No. 1) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/119 (C.11))Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2, Transitional Provision and Revocation) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/125 (C.13))Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/127 (C.14))Scottish Languages Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/128 (C.15))Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/129 (C.16)) 4. Crime and Policing Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the fourth supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum and powers to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence in the Bill. 5. Tobacco and Vapes Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the second supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum and powers to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence in the Bill. 6. Representation of the People Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the Legislative Consent Memorandum and powers to make subordinate legislation within devolved competence in the Bill. 7. Framework legislation and Henry VIII powers: The Committee will consider an update on a draft guidance document. For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Greg Black on 86266 or at [email protected]
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Thursday 12th March 2026 9:30 a.m.
9th Meeting, 2026 (Session 6)
The committee will meet at 9:30am at T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room and will be broadcast on www.scottishparliament.tv. 1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will decide whether to take items 3 and 4 in private, and whether to take any further consideration of its annual report and legacy report in private at future meetings. 2. Representation of the People Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (LCM-S6-74). 3. Annual report: The Committee will consider a draft annual report for the parliamentary year from 13 May 2025 to 8 April 2026. 4. Legacy report: The Committee will consider a draft legacy report. For further information, contact the Clerk to the Committee, Catherine Fergusson on 85186 or at [email protected]
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Representation of the People Bill 2024-26 mentioned in Welsh results


Welsh Committee Publications
Thursday 26th March 2026
PDF - Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government: Inter-Ministerial Group for Elections and Registration, 26 March 2026, too late to be considered by the Committee

Inquiry: Inter-Institutional Relations Agreement between Senedd Cymru and the Welsh Government


Found: This meeting was an opportunity to hear an update on the UK Government’s Representation of the People Bill



Welsh Government Publications
Monday 2nd March 2026

Source Page: Written Statement: Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee – 17 February 2026 (2 March 2026)
Document: Written Statement: Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee – 17 February 2026 (2 March 2026) (webpage)

Found: welcomed the Philip Rycroft review into foreign interference and the publication of the Representation of the People Bill



Welsh Senedd Debates
5. Inter-institutional relations agreement

Monday 9th March 2026
Mentions:
1: Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour and Co-operative Party - Swansea East) Discussions were held about the Representation of the People Bill, and the Deputy First Minister advised - Link to Speech

6. Papers to note

Thursday 5th March 2026
Mentions:
1: John Griffiths (Welsh Labour - Newport East) further letter from the Cabinet Secretary for housing to the Llywydd in relation to the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech

7. Papers to note

Monday 2nd March 2026
Mentions:
1: Mike Hedges (Welsh Labour and Co-operative Party - Swansea East) for Housing and Local Government to the Llywydd: legislative consent memorandum on the Representation of the People Bill - Link to Speech