How might a cap on donations affect political party income in the UK?
Modelling suggests that a cap on political donations would have substantially reduced annual party income in the year of, and the year before, the 2024 general election.
When do political donations have to be disclosed?
There are a number of different regulated entities in UK politics that, when certain thresholds are met, have to a) ensure that donations come from permissible sources and b) disclose information about the donor (often to the Electoral Commission).
Representation of the People Bill 2024-26
The bill’s proposals include lowering the voting age to 16 for all elections, allowing for automated electoral registration and making changes to political donations rules.
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Research Briefing
What impact do digital imprints have on voters?
Election campaign material produced by political parties, candidates and non-party campaigners must carry an ‘imprint’ on both digital and printed material. The Representation of the People Bill includes some reforms to the current digital imprints regime.
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Research Briefing
What ‘know-your-donor’ requirements do political parties have to conduct?
In the Representation of the People Bill the Labour government has committed to enacting enhanced know-your-donor checks to be conducted on political donations.
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Research Briefing
Company donations in UK politics
There are concerns that company donations are a means by which foreign money can enter UK politics. Reforms have been included in the Representation of the People Bill to address this.
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Research Briefing
Cryptocurrency donations in UK politics
On 25 March 2026 the Rycroft Review recommended that a moratorium be placed on political donations made in cryptoassets. In a statement following the release of the review, the Government announced that they would bring forward an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill which would do this.
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Research Briefing
What is an unincorporated association?
An unincorporated association is a permissible donor in UK politics and is usually a members club. The Labour Party have proposed tightening the rules around their donations in the upcoming elections bill.
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Insight
What are the effects of political financing?
The effects of money on politics are contested. However, academics generally agree that money affects the chances of electoral success.
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Research Briefing
Political financing: Donations, loans and state funding
‘Political financing’ refers to all money that is raised and spent for political purposes.
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Research Briefing
Non-party spending in the 2024 general election
Non-party (third-party) spending in the 2024 general election was lower than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on third-party campaign material.
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Research Briefing
Party spending in the 2024 general election
Political parties spent more in the 2024 general election than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on advertising and unsolicited material.
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Insight
Non-party spending in the 2024 general election
Non-party (third-party) spending in the 2024 general election was lower than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on third-party campaign material.
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Insight
Party spending in the 2024 general election
Political parties spent more in the 2024 general election than in the 2019 general election. Most spending was on advertising and unsolicited material.
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Research Briefing
Candidate spending in the 2024 general election
Candidate spending was higher in the 2024 general election than in the 2019 general election. Candidate spending is regulated differently to party spending.
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