• Government orders review of campaign spending – but sidesteps backbench calls for a donations cap
• Ministers urged to deliver automated voter registration nationwide before the next general election
• Failure to act on electoral reform and overseas voting branded major missed opportunities

Democracy campaigners have welcomed important measures in the government’s Representation of the People Bill, but warned that ministers have missed opportunities to tackle some of the most serious weaknesses in Britain’s democracy.

Campaign spending and political donations

In a letter sent over the weekend, cabinet ministers Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh asked the Electoral Commission to review political spending limits, telling the regulator: “We believe spending limits on parties and candidates are too high, and ought to be reduced.”

Winding up, Democracy Minister Florence Eshalomi announced a cross-government taskforce to tackle the issue of “UK-based mega-donors”. She said it would work “at pace to find a solution”, with any resulting measures brought into force “as soon as possible”.

Tom Brake, Chief Executive of Unlock Democracy, commented:

“The government’s decision to ask the Electoral Commission to review campaign spending limits is welcome. So too is the Democracy Minister’s recognition that action is needed to curb the influence of UK-based mega-donors.

“Spending and donations are two sides of the same coin. Overly generous spending limits fuel a fundraising arms race between political parties. Without a cap on individual donations, those with the deepest pockets can wield the greatest influence, as politicians compete for their cash, rather than the attention of their voters.

“A serious review of both political funding and spending is therefore welcome. But the Ministers’ statement from the despatch box leaves important questions unanswered. We know nothing about its membership, the options it will consider or when it is expected to report. A promise to act “as soon as possible” offers no guarantee that reforms will be in place before the next general election.

“These reviews must deliver real reform, not provide an excuse for putting off difficult decisions. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating – and whether the government is prepared to restrict the influence of big money in our politics.”

Automated voter registration

The Bill provides the legal framework to pilot ways of registering voters automatically without them needing to have made an application. However, the government has not committed to implementing automated voter registration nationwide by the next general election.

Mr Brake remarked:

“The former Democracy Minister, Samantha Dixon, put the case for automated voter registration clearly when she spoke today of its potential, once up and running, ‘to find those lost voters who’ve fallen out of our electoral system and bring them back into democratic engagement.’

“Chris Curtis was equally right when he said ‘If we want high participation in our elections, we should make it as frictionless and easy as possible for eligible citizens to take part. We know that participation is too low.’

“Up to eight million eligible voters are currently missing from the electoral register, disproportionately young people, private renters, ethnic minority voters and people with disabilities.

“There is no good reason why, in Britain, registering to vote is more difficult than in most other comparable democracies. Especially when there is a tried-and-tested solution on hand. Countries including Australia, Canada, France and Germany already use forms of automated voter registration. It’s time we caught up.

“The legislation gives the government the tools to introduce automated voter registration. Ministers must now set out a clear timetable for using them, so the system is up and running in time for the next general election.”

Electoral reform

Despite widespread support inside and outside Parliament, MPs were denied the chance to debate establishing a National Commission on Electoral Reform after the amendment was ruled out of scope.

Mr Brake commented:

“For the question of how people’s votes are translated into representation in Parliament to be deemed out of scope of a Bill entitled the Representation of the People Bill is palpably absurd and an embarrassment.

“First Past the Post is failing to represent how people vote. It routinely produces results bearing little resemblance to the choices voters made at the ballot box. And as support spreads across more parties, the gulf between votes cast and seats won is growing ever wider.

“The Prime Minister says he wants to build cross-party consensus on changing the voting system before the next election. An independent commission is the best way to do that. It would put reform above the immediate interests of any one party and help build support for a lasting settlement.”

Overseas voters

MPs also debated the barriers facing British citizens voting from overseas, with Shadow Secretary of State, Katie Lam, criticising the “effective disenfranchisement of citizens overseas.”

Mr Brake said:

“For the 3.5 million British citizens overseas, their right to vote in UK general elections is little more than symbolic. In 2024, only 52% of overseas postal ballots issued made it back in time to be counted. Understandably, half of overseas voters surveyed by the Electoral Commission were dissatisfied with the process, particularly the time available to receive and return their ballot.

“Other democracies provide secure alternatives, including voting at embassies and consulates or the secure electronic transmission of ballot papers. The government should engage constructively with opposition amendments in the Lords to ensure overseas voters can make their voices heard.”

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