Ministers are taking action to strengthen UK election integrity by closing loopholes in political funding. New measures will prevent foreign money from influencing elections through shell companies. Additionally, donors will face stricter checks to ensure transparency.
Currently, UK companies can donate to political parties without revealing their funding sources. However, the updated rules will require firms to prove they operate and earn income in the UK or Ireland. Furthermore, unincorporated associations must verify that donations over £500 come from legitimate UK sources.
To enforce compliance, the government will introduce fines of up to £500,000 for rule-breakers. False declarations will now be a criminal offense. Rushanara Ali, the minister for democracy, emphasized the need to strengthen UK election integrity amid evolving threats.
Political parties must now conduct enhanced “know your donor” checks. The Electoral Commission will provide new guidance on assessing financial risks. These steps follow calls for greater transparency from watchdog groups.
Despite pressure, the reforms will not cap donation amounts. They also avoid banning cryptocurrency donations, despite concerns over traceability. Reform UK recently accepted Bitcoin donations, raising fears of foreign interference.
Government sources confirm that digital currencies will face the same scrutiny as other funds. A spokesperson stated that strengthen UK election integrity remains a top priority to protect democracy.
Alongside financial reforms, the government supports lowering the voting age to 16. Efforts to boost voter registration will also expand participation. These changes aim to build public trust in the electoral system.
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