The postponement of the Representation of the People Bill's Report Stage and Third Reading has delayed one of the biggest packages of electoral reforms in a generation. While parliamentary time was understandably given to the Hillsborough Law instead, the delay offers ministers something equally valuable: time to improve legislation that has the potential to reshape British democracy for decades to come.

The Bill already contains landmark commitments. Lowering the voting age to 16, introducing automated voter registration, tightening rules around political donations and modernising electoral law represent a significant step towards a more accessible and resilient democracy.

But Parliament now has an opportunity to go further.

Across many parties, MPs have tabled amendments that would strengthen the Bill's ability to tackle the challenges facing modern elections, from foreign influence and AI-generated disinformation to declining public trust, barriers to participation and the intimidation of candidates. If the Government is serious about renewing democracy, it should use this delay to adopt these improvements before the Bill returns.

Automatic Voter Registration

Florence Eshalomi's NC56 would require the Government to publish a clear implementation plan for Automated Voter Registration (AVR). This would ensure that public bodies work together to register eligible voters automatically when they interact with government services.

Without a clear roadmap, there is a risk that millions of newly enfranchised young people remain unregistered and therefore unable to vote. A detailed implementation strategy would provide certainty for electoral administrators, improve accuracy on the electoral register and help reduce inequalities in registration rates that disproportionately affect younger people, renters and ethnic minority communities..

Build a political finance system people can trust

A healthy democracy depends on voters believing that elections are decided by people—not by wealth. Yet concerns over opaque donations, wealthy individuals and companies, and the potential influence of foreign money continue to undermine public confidence in the UK's political finance system.

The Government should support amendments tabled by Stella Creasy and Anneliese Dodds to strengthen transparency and oversight, closing loopholes that allow dark money and opaque funding structures to distort the integrity of British elections. Supporting amendments NC70 and NC71 to the Bill would reduce the national campaign spending limit and introduce a £100,000 annual cap on political donations.

The Bill also presents a crucial opportunity to further strengthen these safeguards. Yuan Yang’s Amendment NC16 would ensure company donation limits are linked to profits rather than turnover, preventing companies with limited genuine economic activity from making disproportionately large political contributions.

Stronger political finance rules are not about targeting individuals or parties—they are about protecting democracy by ensuring political influence is earned through public support, not financial power.

Protect elections from foreign interference and digital manipulation

The way elections are fought has transformed, but electoral law has struggled to keep pace. The rise of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, targeted advertising and online misinformation creates new risks for voters and the integrity of democratic debate.

The Government should use this Bill to strengthen protections against digital manipulation. Amendments including NC13 (Lisa Smart), NC41, NC42, NC43, NC45 and NC47 (Emily Darlington) would introduce greater transparency and accountability by requiring clearer identification of AI-generated political content, improving guidance on digital election offences, monitoring online harms, creating a public register of digital political advertising and establishing protocols for responding to serious threats during elections.

Together, these reforms would give voters greater confidence in the information they see online, help regulators respond to emerging threats and ensure that technology strengthens democracy rather than undermines it.

Ensure civil society can continue to campaign

Healthy democracies rely on more than political parties. Charities, campaign groups, trade unions and community organisations all play an important role in informing public debate, representing communities and holding decision-makers to account—especially during election periods.

However, complex electoral rules can create uncertainty for third-party campaigners about what activities count as regulated spending. This can discourage legitimate participation and make organisations hesitant to speak out on issues affecting the communities they represent.

NC53 (Gareth Snell) would update the definition of “controlled expenditure” to provide greater clarity for third-party campaigners while maintaining appropriate safeguards. This would help ensure that campaign groups can participate confidently in democratic debate without unnecessary barriers or fear of unintentionally breaching electoral rules.

Protecting space for civil society does not mean weakening electoral safeguards. It means recognising that a healthy democracy depends on a wide range of voices—not just those with access to party structures or significant financial resources. A stronger Bill should ensure that charities, campaigners and communities can continue contributing to public debate in a transparent and accountable way.

Make democracy genuinely representative

Removing barriers to voting is only one part of building a more inclusive democracy. A truly representative political system must also ensure that people from all backgrounds can stand for election and have a fair opportunity to succeed.

Despite progress, barriers remain for many underrepresented groups, including disabled people, ethnic minority communities, women and those from lower-income backgrounds. The lack of transparent data on candidate diversity makes it harder to understand where inequalities exist and what action is needed to address them.

Several amendments would help strengthen inclusion in political participation:

• NC2 (Zoe Franklin) would commence Section 106 of the Equality Act 2010, increasing transparency around the diversity of candidates selected by political parties.
• NC3 would require the Electoral Commission to publish information on candidate diversity, creating better evidence to understand where representation remains unequal.
• NC37 would establish an Access to Elected Office Fund for England, helping disabled candidates overcome financial barriers associated with standing for election.

These reforms recognise that political participation is shaped by more than the right to vote. Practical, financial and institutional barriers can prevent talented individuals from putting themselves forward, leaving many communities underrepresented in decision-making.

A stronger Representation of the People Bill should not only expand the electorate—it should help build a political system where everyone has a fair opportunity to participate, stand for office and have their voices heard.

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Protect those who put themselves forward

The murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe has once again brought the safety of those in public life into sharp focus. While the investigation into Ann Widdecombe's death is ongoing, the tragedy has reinforced the urgent need to ensure that everyone involved in democratic life can participate without fear. When candidates, elected representatives and their families become targets, it has a chilling effect on democracy itself, discouraging people from public service and narrowing the diversity of voices willing to participate in politics.

The Government should therefore support a package of amendments that would strengthen protections across the electoral system, including:

• NC6 (Zoe Franklin), extending protections to the relatives and staff of candidates, who are increasingly subjected to abuse and intimidation.
• NC7 (Zoe Franklin), requiring the Electoral Commission to issue comprehensive guidance on candidate safety and security throughout election campaigns.
• NC10 (Lisa Smart), preventing individuals who have promoted political violence from being treated as permissible political donors.
• NC32 and NC33 (Cat Eccles), requiring enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for parliamentary and local election candidates, helping to strengthen public confidence in those seeking elected office.
• NC58 and NC59 (Apsana Begum), strengthening protections relating to domestic abuse and harassment, recognising that those with a history of abusive behaviour should face greater scrutiny when standing for public office.

Protecting candidates is about more than individual security. It is about protecting the health of British democracy. Elections can only be truly free and fair if people from every background feel able to stand for office without fearing violence, intimidation or abuse. The Representation of the People Bill provides Parliament with an opportunity to reinforce that principle, ensuring that public service is defined by democratic participation—not personal risk.

Begin planning for the next generation of electoral reform

Even if every amendment were adopted, this Bill would not solve every challenge facing British democracy.

That is why the bill now offers the government the opportunity to establish a National Commission on Electoral Reform with a new amendment.

Electoral reform has too often happened in response to immediate political pressures or individual scandals. A permanent, independent commission could instead take a long-term, evidence-based approach to examining the health of UK democracy.

It would allow Parliament to consider reforms strategically rather than piecemeal, bringing together experts, electoral administrators, civil society organisations and the public to build consensus around future improvements. Establishing a National Commission would acknowledge that democracy is not something Parliament reforms once every decade. It requires continual review to ensure the rules governing elections evolve alongside society itself.

A stronger Bill for a stronger democracy

The Representation of the People Bill is already one of the most ambitious democratic reform packages in recent memory. But ambition alone is not enough.

The delay before the Report Stage has created an opportunity for ministers to strengthen the legislation while there is still time. By embracing amendments that improve voter registration, political finance, digital transparency, candidate safety, campaign standards, inclusion, civil society participation and long-term democratic renewal, the Government can produce legislation that not only expands participation but also rebuilds confidence in Britain's democratic institutions.

Moments like this are rare. The Government should use the extra time wisely—not simply to pass the Bill, but to ensure it becomes the strongest foundation possible for a more open, secure, representative and trusted democracy.

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