Parliamentary Parties Panel minutes: 4 June 2025

The minutes were approved with no amends.

JK gave a short overview of the local elections from the Commission's perspective. She explained the Commission’s view was that the polls were well run, and highlighted   the Commission was keen to gather feedback on our guidance resources and support offer, including the simplified candidate return. TH confirmed that the Commission would be publishing its report on the local elections in July.

 JC explained that the parties had noticed some inconsistencies in the approaches taken by returning officers (RO). He asked what the Commission's role was in setting and measuring RO performance standards. MT raised concerns about ROs not understanding new laws, particularly those who had been new to the role. She noted it could be helpful to have FAQ documents for ROs to resolve queries quickly. JK explained the Commission’s oversight role and noted its ongoing work regarding performance standards, including providing targeted and tailored support as required.

KB thanked the Commission for its assistance regarding an issue in Buckinghamshire. KB also highlighted there had been conflicting advice given regarding a countermanded poll in High Ferrers ward, Northamptonshire. VR confirmed the Commission’s view that its advice was consistent with the law.

Operation Ford – tackling abuse and intimidation 

LC noted that this was the first set of elections where Operation Ford support had been in place. She explained that the level of up take by candidates had been surprisingly low and JESP was currently surveying candidates to better understand their experiences. LC asked parties to share the survey through their own channels. She detailed next steps and how JESP was now looking to future elections and how the security support package can be adjusted to best serve candidates and elected representatives.

 MT stressed that parties needed guidance well in advance of elections to be able to properly integrate this material into their support offer for candidates. KB noted that in the weeks prior to polling day candidates would be campaigning so in practice have limited time to attend sessions. OR said candidates generally have a higher level of trust in guidance produced by parties and might be more open to resources provided via the central party.

 KB said some forces were good others were not. She praised the Commission’s support in effectively escalating specific issues.

 MT noted it would be helpful for parties to have a list of FEOA contact details. LC explained that there were concerns about this approach due to the number of candidates who would then have access to this information. MT suggested that the central party could hold the information and not share it with all their candidates, if this would help address this concern.

 OR asked whether Operation Ford would be in place for the elections to the Senedd in 2026. LC said she would come back to the group at a future meeting with more clarity on the coverage of the different operations.

 VR spoke about the difference between Op Ford and Op Bridger. He suggested it would be helpful for information about security to be shared with parties by September 2025 in advance of the elections the following year. VR spoke more widely about the Commission’s priorities in this area.

KB gave positive feedback on the spending return form. KB said that not all ROs would accept the new form. PM acknowledged that some ROs had been unfamiliar with the new form but explained that the Commission was addressing this issue. MT noted that she had given additional feedback on the formatting which had already been actioned.

PD gave a short update on some proposed and planned changes to postal voting. KB asked if the group would get an update on the wider changes reportedly included in a White Paper due to be published in June, noting recent media coverage in the Telegraph. PD explained that he wasn’t able to share more detailed information at this stage with the panel. VR said the Commission had called for proper consultation with the political parties on any potential changes, such as votes at 16 and improvements to voter registration. He noted their important expertise and experience to help ensure any measures were workable. 

KB asked whether the department had considered using embassies to allow overseas voters to cast their vote. PD said overseas voting was very complex, and no fundamental changes were planned. VR said the Commission's post-poll report outlined some possible options that could support overseas voters to cast their vote.

OR asked about the performance of local councils in Wales and Scotland given divergence in processes for postal voter registration. PD noted that a Private Members Bill was currently progressing through the UK Parliament which aims to bring the process in Scotland and Wales in line with the rest of Great Britain. The department is closely monitoring the progress of this legislation.

OR also asked if the Welsh automatic voter registration trials would be rolled out for the next elections in Wales. TH said new legislation would be needed to roll out automatic voter registration pilots. VR explained it will take time to evaluate, so the Commission has been clear that clear that there was not enough time to implement before next year.

MT asked about moving forward close of nominations to get postal votes through the system more quickly. PD said although details have not been confirmed, but there was appetite to move it earlier.

PD raised a final point on the possibility for political parties to withdraw support for a candidate ahead of close of nominations. There are no plans from the Government to take this forward, but the department was open to views on this point. OR said it could be welcome. PD noted complications with subscribers and deposit. He said further thoughts could be shared by email.

PM gave an overview of publication timings. He confirmed the Commission would publish guidance for the Scottish Parliament election by the end of June. He noted the Commission may be able to publish party guidance for the Senedd election ahead of the planned publication date of end of September and would keep the parties updated accordingly if so. Candidates and agents’ guidance for both Senedd and Scottish Parliament would be published by September.

CL asked about spending limits. PM noted that the Commission was not aware of any plans to change the spending limit for candidates or parties at Scottish Parliament elections. The Party limit would remain £80,000 per region plus £12,000 per constituency contested, for a maximum of £1,516,000 for a party contesting all regions and constituencies. The candidate limit was £21,500 + 4.2/6.3p per registered voter for the long campaign; £8,700 + 6p/9p for the short campaign. 

CL asked when the spending limits for the upcoming Welsh elections would be made available. TH said the Commission would shortly respond with its recommendation and consent for any changes and noted that the Welsh Government was due to lay subsequent legislation imminently. 

KB noted limited notice has been given for these changes. TH said the Commission was happy to reflect this view from the panel members to the Welsh Government. CL noted that it would be helpful to know about given the internal implications for parties, for example organising audits. LD said the Commission would be happy to discuss how best to provide support.

VR noted the number of changes at the upcoming Senedd elections and due to this a detailed review would be needed after the 2026 elections. 

OR asked about the new provision to declare if you have previously been a member of a political party, noting there is no independent check on this declaration. VR said the Commission may pick this up as part of a wider post-election review.

KB said the way the information is displayed on the website can be misleading as it appears that parties are liable for corporation tax. It would be helpful to breakdown the headlines to mitigate this risk. LD said the Commission can take this point away for further consideration.

KB asked about uptake for regulatory advice webinars and support. LD said there was a variety of attendees, including independent candidates and first-time candidates.

JK provided a short update on PEF Online. As part of this work, the Commission would like to meet with key staff (compliance, finance and technical leads, and a local representative from an accounting unit or similar) from each party to gather information on principle needs.

LD said the Commission will be attending party conferences in the autumn and encouraged all parties to get in touch about opportunities to meet party staff, volunteers and candidates. 

OR asked if the Commission would be open to coming to other party events. LD confirmed the Commission was open to engaging with parties in a variety of forums and would welcome discussion on this.

KB asked what the Commission’s expectations were for its visits to conference. JK said that at a practical level it was to better inform its work with political parties. VR said it would also be good to talk about wider strategic projects and priorities, as set out in the Commission’s new Corporate Plan.

KB asked about potential guidance on bitcoin. LD said there was guidance on the website, but appreciated this was limited, however bitcoin and crypto currency is subject to the same donation spending rules as other donations. The Commission to take away the request for more detailed advice on cryptocurrency and bitcoin.

CL raised guidance on imprint requirements for AI generated images or content. VR said if parties are going to use AI then it should be labelled to make clear who is responsible for the content.