As the regulator of UK party and election finance, we make sure people understand and follow the rules on party and election finance.
Our role as a regulator is to make sure the laws controlling the finances of political parties are followed, and to oversee parties and other organisations and individuals engaged in campaigning. We also publish public registers containing information sent to us by political parties and others about their finances. In addition, parties are required to submit annual statements of accounts, which can be viewed through our search tool.
Please click on the topics to find more information on the following:
Campaign expenditure at European Parliamentary elections
On 5 January we published the European Parliament campaign expenditures of political parties that spent more than £250,000.
Party and Election Finance Online
We are developing a new Party and Election Finance (PEF) Online system, to replace our current registers. For those we regulate, this will provide an online account to administer their party's details, and submit quarterly returns, accounts etc. For members of the public, journalists and academics, there will be an improved searching and analysis section to help find data quickly. Further information will be available nearer completion early in 2010.
Political Parties and Elections Act comes into force
The Political Parties and Elections Act became law in July. It introduces a range of significant changes to how political parties are regulated. As well as consulting formally on our future enforcement policy following these changes we will be engaging with people affected by the Act – including volunteers working for local political parties – to make sure they are confident about how they will be dealing with us as the regulator in the future.
This summary guide (PDF) gives more details on the changes the Act introduces, who these will affect and how to find out more.
Our role as regulator
Our role as regulator is to oversee the rules regulating the financing of political parties and other organisations, and individuals taking part in political campaigns. We do not have judicial powers, nor are we a prosecuting body. Nevertheless, we want the public to have confidence that we hold parties and other regulated organisations and individuals effectively to account.
We aim to:
- enhance public confidence in the funding of political parties through effective regulation, while recognising that increased awareness of the financial affairs of parties may fuel public distrust of politicians and parties
- avoid disproportionate regulatory burdens on political parties, while maintaining consistent standards of transparency and openness
- manage the regulations in a way that acknowledges the volunteer nature of key officers of over 400 political parties, but does not allow this to become an excuse for non-compliance
Search party finances and registered parties databases
Here you can find details of party finances and registered parties in the UK.
Search finances of parties and registered parties
