Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000
Last amended by Elections Act 2022 in 2022. Reformed Electoral Commission governance, introduced strategy and policy statements by ministers, and strengthened sanctions for electoral offences.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
PPERA 2000 created the Electoral Commission and established the framework for party registration, campaign finance, and referendum regulation. It requires registration of political parties, regulates donations and spending, and created the independent Electoral Commission to oversee electoral matters.
Key Points
- Establishes the Electoral Commission as independent body (Part I)
- Creates register of political parties (Part II)
- Regulates donations to political parties: permissibility and reporting (Part IV)
- Sets campaign expenditure limits for parties at elections (Part V)
- Establishes framework for conduct of referendums (Part VII)
- Creates offences for impermissible donations and false reporting
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2022 — Elections Act 2022
Reformed Electoral Commission governance, introduced strategy and policy statements by ministers, and strengthened sanctions for electoral offences.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Electoral Commission and how are its members appointed?
- The Electoral Commission is an independent body corporate established under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. It oversees elections, referendums, political parties, and electoral registration. Its commissioners are appointed by Her Majesty on an address from the House of Commons.
- Who is allowed to donate money to a registered political party?
- Only specific donors are permissible. These include individuals on the UK electoral register, companies incorporated in the UK, UK-registered trade unions, and unincorporated associations that carry on activities mainly in the UK. Political parties must only accept donations from these eligible sources.
- What does the Act require political parties to do regarding registration and spending?
- The Act creates a register of political parties and requires them to register. It also regulates campaign finance by setting expenditure limits for parties at elections and controlling the permissibility and reporting of donations. This framework ensures transparency in how parties are funded and how they spend during campaigns.
- Does the Act cover the rules for holding referendums?
- The Act establishes a legal framework for the conduct of referendums in the UK. It provides the rules and regulations necessary to manage the process, ensuring that referendums are conducted in a structured and regulated manner under the oversight of the Electoral Commission.
- What are the legal consequences for breaking the donation rules?
- The Act creates specific offences for accepting impermissible donations and for making false reports regarding party finances. These legal provisions are designed to enforce compliance with donation rules and ensure accurate financial reporting by political parties.