Non-party campaigners are individuals or organisations that campaign at elections, but are not standing as political parties or candidates. Campaigners being able to get their messages to voters is a fundamental part of the democratic process, and it is important that voters hear from a wide and diverse variety of campaigners.
In electoral law, these individuals or organisations are called ‘third parties’.
Non-party campaigners who spend over a certain amount on campaigning at elections must register with the Electoral Commission.
Where non-party campaigners have registered with the Electoral Commission they are called ‘recognised third parties’. In our guidance, we call recognised third parties ‘registered non-party campaigners’.