WIREDGOV

The Electoral Commission yesterday published the campaign spending returns of political parties and registered non-party campaigners that spent £250,000 or less during the 2019 European Parliamentary elections.

Every political party that contested the European Parliamentary elections is required to submit campaign expenditure returns to the Electoral Commission.

Nine of the political parties that contested the elections in Great Britain reported spending less than £250,000 during the regulated period that ran from 23 January 2019 until polling day, 23 May 2019. Altogether, these parties reported spending £268,698 on campaigning at the election. 
The eight parties that spent over £250,000 have until 23 November to submit their spending returns.

A non-party campaigner is a group that campaigns in the run up to elections but is not a political party and does not stand candidates. Non-party campaigners must register with us if they plan to spend more than £20,000 in England or £10,000 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

The nine political parties in Great Britain that reported spending of £250,000 or under:

Figures for spending by political parties and non-party campaigners in Northern Ireland are available.

Reported spending by non-party campaigners in Great Britain:

For more information contact the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or press@electoralcommission.org.uk

Notes to Editors

The Electoral Commission is the independent body which oversees elections and regulates political finance in the UK. We work to promote public confidence in the democratic process and ensure its integrity by:

• enabling the delivery of free and fair elections and referendums, focusing on the needs of electors and addressing the changing environment to ensure every vote remains secure and accessible
• regulating political finance – taking proactive steps to increase transparency, ensure compliance and pursue breaches
• using our expertise to make and advocate for changes to our democracy, 
• aiming to improve fairness, transparency and efficiency

The Commission was set up in 2000 and reports to the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

Political parties and registered non-party campaigners that spent £250,000 or under at the European Parliamentary elections were required to submit their returns by 23 August 2019. 

Parties with expenditure over £250,000 must deliver an audited return by 23 November 2019.

The eight political parties submitting returns over £250,000 are Conservative and Unionist Party (GB), Green Party (GB), Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), The Brexit Party, The Independent Group for Change and UK Independence Party (UKIP) (GB).

Non-party campaigners must register with the Commission before they can spend more than £20,000 on regulated campaigning in England, or £10,000 in any of Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. They are then required to submit spending returns if they did campaign and spend over these sums of money at the European Parliamentary elections. 

Figures in this press release are rounded to the nearest £. 

Full breakdown of party expenditure is available (Opens in new window).

Full breakdown of non-party campaigner expenditure is available (Opens in new window).