Representation of the People Bill

Rachel Blake Excerpts

Report stage & 3rd reading
Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Commons Chamber

Without this power, those seeking to circumvent the new rules could simply redirect activity through areas where comparable safeguards do not apply. That would risk creating a loophole in the electoral regime, undermining the effectiveness and protections that the Bill is intended to provide. The amendments have a time-limited mechanism, ensuring that they are introduced, and where possible consistently, across categories of political activity and to recipients of political funding.

[Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster) (Lab/Co-op)]

I thank my hon. Friend for her comments about restricting donations. She has talked about loopholes and the new powers that the commission will have. One loophole I am concerned about is that around donations to candidates, the definition of “candidate”, and how that interacts with other parts of the legal framework. Will she share her thoughts on any progress that the Government are making on that loophole, and say whether there is a chance for it to be considered further?