A Bill to make provision about election expenditure by candidates and political parties and about nominations as a parliamentary candidate; to abolish deposits; to confer powers on the Electoral Commission; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
5 May 2021
This bill changes the rules for elections by reforming candidate and party spending and by updating how nominations work. It would abolish the deposit candidates must pay to stand for Parliament, tighten spending rules for campaigns, and give the Electoral Commission extra powers to supervise elections and enforce the rules. It also covers related matters connected to nominations and elections.
The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Lords. If it progresses, it will move to committee stage in the Lords, then to Report and Third Reading, before moving to the House of Commons for consideration.
Generated 21 February 2026
First reading took place on 30 January. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the Bill's journey through the Lords.
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.
The 2019-2021 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
