UK Ministers Urged to Cap Political Donations to Rebuild Voter Confidence
Nineteen civil organisations have called on UK ministers to introduce caps on political donations as part of efforts to rebuild voter confidence ahead of the forthcoming elections bill. The letter, signed by groups including the Electoral Reform Society, Transparency International UK, Hope not Hate, and the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition, argues that imposing a donations cap would protect democracy and close existing loopholes.
This call comes in the wake of Reform UK receiving a £9 million donation from Christopher Harborne, marking the largest ever donation by a living person to a British political party. The elections bill is anticipated to extend voting rights to 16- and 17-year-olds and to introduce tighter political finance regulations, including an increase in Electoral Commission fines up to £500,000.
Campaigners are also advocating for a ban on cryptocurrency donations, highlighting similar measures taken by Ireland and Brazil amid concerns over the transparency of donors. Earlier this year, Reform UK became the first party to accept donations in cryptocurrency. Although ministers previously considered introducing a £100,000 cap per donation, no such limit has been enacted to date.
The letter also supports automatic voter registration, which is currently being piloted in Wales, as a way to increase voter turnout and participation, particularly among renters and individuals from poorer backgrounds. Additionally, campaign groups have expressed concerns that government control over regulatory strategy could undermine the independence of the Electoral Commission and have called for safeguards to protect the regulator's autonomy.
