Review of Electoral Regulation: Share Your Views
The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life is an independent advisory body to the Prime Minister on ethics in public life. The group has launched a public consultation following growing concern over the 'wild west' in electoral laws in today's digital age.
The Committee is inviting views on the way donations and campaign expenditure by candidates, political parties and non-party campaigners in election and referendum campaigns are regulated and enforced by the Electoral Commission, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Police. The consultation closes on Friday the of 31st July.
Announcing the review, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, Jonathan Evans said: "We intend to look at electoral regulation from first principles - what really matters in this area? What values and principles should guide regulation of finance during elections?"
The Committee has a lot of clout, helping to push for the Electoral Commission to be set up 1998. Since then, digital campaigning has 'revolutionised the way parties and campaigners engage with voters': "It has made it harder to track how much is being spent, on what, where and by whom," Mr Evans said.
This review will look at the system for the regulation of election finance and whether it meets the challenges of elections in the 21st century.
This consultation should be read alongside the terms of reference for the review, to get a clear idea of what they're looking for.
Anyone can make a submission. The Committee is welcoming submissions from members of the public, so this is your chance to have a say.
You can view the consultation and how to contribute here.