Barnsley MPs vote for new law to protect and modernise UK democracy

Barnsley MPs, Marie Tidball, Stephanie Peacock, and Dan Jarvis, have all voted for the Government's Representation of the People Bill, through its final stages in the Commons. The Bill introduces major reforms to modernise and protect our democracy, including tackling foreign financial interference and political donations, expanding votes to 16- and 17-year-olds, and improving the accessibility of the electoral process to legitimate voters.

The Report Stage and Third Reading of the Bill passed through the Commons, meaning the Bill will now be passed to the Lords to continue its passage through the parliamentary process, until it becomes law.

Amendments introduced by the Government at these final stages include further action to stop foreign money and hostile actors from interfering in UK elections and politics. This includes stopping overseas donors from giving unlimited amounts, banning donations made in cryptocurrency, and making sure companies wanting to donate to political parties have a genuine link to the UK. Candidates will also need to confirm that money used to fund their campaign funding is from a legitimate source.

The Government has gone even further to safeguard our democracy, by asking the Electoral Commission – the independent body which oversees elections – to look again at the limits at how much can be spent during election campaigns. Ministers have also announced plans for a new test to stop wealthy people living overseas giving huge donations to political parties despite not living in the country.

The key changes in the Bill to modernise the UK's democracy more broadly include: expanding the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds; moving towards a more automated process to modernise voter registration; widening Voter ID accepted at polling stations; strengthening postal and proxy voting systems; and stronger protections and sanctions to tackle harassment of candidates and electoral staff.

Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, said:

"The Prime Minister has promised a new way of doing politics. This Bill is taking action to do just that: to secure our elections against those who threaten them, protect those who participate and make our democracy accessible to all legitimate voters.

"Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. Everyone should be able to trust that political decisions are made in the interests of UK voters, not people trying to buy influence from overseas.

"I'm really proud to support this Bill, cleaning up our politics and putting power back in the hands of the public."

Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South, said:

“Trust in politics is at a low. As politicians, it’s our duty to understand, and fix, why people have lost faith. People across Barnsley expect that their democracy isn’t for sale, and that elections are free and fair.

“The Representation of the People Bill will be key in securing our elections against those who threaten them, so we can restore optimism about our country’s future.”