Representation of the People Bill 2024-26

NC9

To move the following Clause—"Voting eligibility of convicted persons in detention (1) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4). (2) In section 3 (disfranchisement of offenders in prison etc.), for subsection (1) substitute— “(1) A convicted person, during the time that they are detained in a penal institution in pursuance of a sentence imposed for a term not exceeding four years or unlawfully at large when they would otherwise be so detained, is legally incapable of voting at any parliamentary or local government election.” (3) Omit subsection (1A). (4) In subsection 1B for “1A” substitute "1"."

1

Clause 79, page 99, line 20, at end insert— "(iv) section (Commonwealth citizens: removal of voting rights)."

2

Clause 80, page 100, line 17, at end insert— "section (Commonwealth citizens: removal of voting rights)."

3

Clause 80, page 100, line 35, at end insert— "(ha) section (Overseas electors: Review of feasibility of proposals for facilitating overseas ballots)”

NC5

To move the following Clause— "Commonwealth citizens: removal of voting rights (1) The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as set out in subsections (2) to (4). (2) In section 1 (parliamentary electors), in subsection (1)(c), leave out “either a Commonwealth citizen or". (3) In section 2 (local government electors)— (a) in subsection (1) (c), leave out "is a Commonwealth citizen,” (b) in paragraph (1) (c) (ii) after “foreign citizen;” insert “or a Commonwealth citizen;" (4) In section 4 (entitlement to be registered as parliamentary or local government elector)— (a) in subsection (1) (c), leave out “is either a qualifying Commonwealth (b) (c) citizen or" in subsection (3) (c), leave out "is a qualifying Commonwealth citizen,” in paragraph (3) (c) (ii) after “Wales” insert “a qualifying Commonwealth citizen"."

NC6

To move the following Clause— "Overseas electors: postal ballots (1) RPA 1985 is amended as follows. (2) After section (12) insert— "12A Overseas electors: postal ballots (1) The Secretary of State must, by regulation, make provision regarding the casting of postal ballots by overseas electors. (2) Any regulations made under subsection (1) must provide for overseas electors to be offered the ability- (a) to request an electronic version of their ballot paper for elections to print using the elector's own printing facilities; and (b) in a relevant country, to return their completed ballot paper to a United Kingdom embassy, High Commission or consulate for onward delivery to the relevant returning officer by diplomatic mail to be counted. (3) For the purposes of this section, “a relevant country” is one where the United Kingdom maintains an embassy, Hight Commission or consulate. (4) Regulations made under subsection (1) may amend provision made by or under any other Act as necessary. (5) Any regulations made under this section must not be made unless a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.""

NC7

To move the following Clause— "Overseas electors: information on voter registration by the UK Passport Office The Secretary of State must, within six months of the passing of this Act, lay before Parliament a report containing proposals to require the UK Passport Office to provide information on voter registration to United Kingdom residents overseas when they- (a) apply for a passport; or (b) apply to renew their passport.”

NC8

To move the following Clause— "Overseas electors: Review of feasibility of proposals for facilitating overseas ballots (1) Within six months of the passing of this Act, the Secretary of State must publish and lay before both Houses of Parliament a report on proposals for facilitating overseas electors to vote in parliamentary elections. (2) The report must consider the feasibility of proposals for- (a) the use of United Kingdom Embassies, High Commissions or consulates as if they were a polling station asset out in Schedule 1 of RPA1983; (b) the digital transmission and printing of ballot papers; (c) voting by telephone; (d) secure electronic voting; (e) changes to deadlines and practices as set out in Schedule 1 of RPA1983 to enable earlier despatch of ballots for overseas voters; (f) informing overseas voters on early registration and voting options; (g) extended proxy voting arrangements for overseas voters; and (h) any other measures to improve the speed, accuracy and security of voting by overseas electors as the Secretary of State believes appropriate. (3) In preparing the report, the Secretary of State must consult- (a) overseas electors; (b) electoral administrators; (c) His Majesty's Diplomatic Service; and (c) such other persons as the Secretary of State believe appropriate. (4) For the purpose of this section, an “overseas elector” is a person who fulfils the requirements for an overseas elector in section 1 (extension of parliamentary franchise) of the RPA 1985.”

NC1

To move the following Clause—"Proportional representation for national and local elections (1) All elections to the House of Commons and to local authorities in the United Kingdom shall be conducted using a system of proportional representation. (2) The Secretary of State must by regulations make provision for the implementation of proportional representation voting systems for the purposes of subsection (1). (3) Regulations under this section may in particular— (a) specify which proportional representation system or systems are to be used, including but not limited to— (i) the Single Transferable Voting System; (ii) the Additional Member System; (iii) open or closed party list systems. (b) make provision for the creation or modification of electoral boundaries where necessary; (c) make provision about the nomination of candidates; (d) make provision about the conduct, counting and verification of votes; (e) make consequential, supplementary, incidental, transitional or saving provisions; (f) amend, repeal or revoke any enactment, including this Act and other electoral legislation, where the Secretary of State considers it necessary in consequence of this section. (4) Before making regulations under this section, the Secretary of State must consult— (a) the Electoral Commission; (b) the Boundary Commissions; (c) representatives of local government; and (d) such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate. (5) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section may not be made unless— (a) a draft has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament; and (b) the proposed electoral changes have been approved in a referendum held throughout the United Kingdom. (6) The Secretary of State must make provision by regulations for the conduct of any referendum required under subsection (5)(b). (7) The first elections conducted under proportional representation under this section must take place no earlier than 18 months after regulations under this section are made. (8) In this section— "proportional representation” means any electoral system designed to allocate seats broadly in proportion to the votes case; "local authority” has the meaning given in section 270 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972; "parliamentary elections” means elections to the House of Commons.”

NC2

To move the following Clause—"Permissible donors not to include individuals serving a foreign administration (1) Section 54 of PPERA 2000 (permissible donors) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2) insert— "(2A) An individual who would otherwise fall within subsection (2)(a) is not a permissible donor if that individual is, or has been— (a) a member of, or (b) a politically-appointed adviser to a foreign administration.” (3) After subsection (8) insert— "(9) In subsection (2A)— "foreign administration” means the government or state apparatus of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom; "member" includes elected and appointed members.””

NC3

To move the following Clause—"Permissible donors not to include persons who have promoted political violence (1) Section 54 of PPERA 2000 (permissible donors) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (3ZB) insert— "(3ZC) A person is not to be treated as a permissible donor in relation to a donation if the person has been convicted of a prescribed offence relating to the promotion, incitement, or use of political violence. (3ZD) The Secretary of State must by regulations prescribe the offences which fall within subsection (3ZC)."

NC4

To move the following Clause—"Donations in cryptoassets to political parties and candidates (1) PPERA 2000 is amended as set out in subsection (2). (2) In Section 55 (payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors), at end insert— "(7) Any donation received by a registered party which is— (a) made wholly or in part with cryptoassets; or (b) accepted by means of a custodian wallet provider or cryptoasset exchange provider, shall be regarded as a donation received by the party from a person who is not a permissible donor. (8) Within three months of the coming into force of this section, the Electoral Commission must publish guidance in relation to the matters in subsection (7). (9) In this section— “Cryptoassets” has the meaning given by Regulation 14A(3)(a) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017; “Custodian wallet provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; “Cryptoasset exchange provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002." (3) RPA 1983 is amended as set out in subsection (4). (4) In Schedule 2A, Section 6 (prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors), after subparagraph (3), insert— "(3A) Any relevant donation received by a candidate or their election agent which is- (a) made wholly or in part with cryptoassets; or (b) accepted by means of a custodian wallet provider or cryptoasset exchange provider, shall be regarded as a donation received by a candidate or their election agent who is not a permissible donor. (3B) Within three months of the coming into force of this section, the Commission must publish guidance in relation to the matters in subsection (3A). (3C) In this section— "Cryptoassets” has the meaning given by Regulation 14A(3)(a) of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017; "Custodian wallet provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; "Cryptoasset exchange provider” has the meaning given by Section 131ZC (3) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.""