Elections Bill

Our democracy should not be up for sale to the highest bidder; whether that be foreign oligarchs, billionaires, or vested interests seeking to distort public policy for private gain. The examples you cite, including Elon Musk’s influence in the United States, are deeply troubling and highlight the risks we face if we fail to act.

Protecting democracy is a national security priority. My Liberal Democrat Parliamentary colleagues and I have consistently called for reforms to political finance rules, including:

• Capping donations to political parties to prevent disproportionate influence.
• Restoring the independence of the Electoral Commission, repealing the Tory laws which grants Government power to impose changes.
• Increasing enforcement powers, including higher fines for breaches of political finance laws.
• And ensuring transparency, with real-time disclosure of donations and a publicly searchable database of online political ads and spending.

We welcome the Government’s recent Elections Strategy paper, but it doesn’t go far enough; the Liberal Democrats will continue to urge the Government to close these loopholes when the forthcoming Elections Bill begins its passage through Parliament.

The last Conservative Government failed to take the threat posed by Russia seriously, allowing Russian money to flood into the UK and into the coffers of their own party.

The figures you mention – £85 million in private donations in 2023, two-thirds from just 19 donors – are a reminder of how far we’ve drifted from the principle of equal voice. Even 81% of UK millionaires agree that extreme wealth buys political influence. That’s why we must act now.

I will continue to advocate for stronger measures to take big money out of politics, protect our democratic institutions, and ensure that power lies with the people—not with a privileged few.