Electoral Commission application for permission to appeal High Court ruling

24 Sep 2018 02:03 PM

A request for permission to appeal a High Court ruling made recently (14 September) was submitted last friday (21 September 2018) by the Electoral Commission.

Commenting on the request for permission to appeal, an Electoral Commission spokesperson recently (21 September 2018) said:

“Today we are applying to the High Court for permission to appeal a judgment made last week which ruled on the interpretation of a point of law on campaign donations and expenditure. We are considering the implications of this judgment, including how it could impact on candidates, parties and non-party campaigners across all types of elections or referendums. The law must be as clear as possible in order to enable campaigners to fully and fairly participate in the democratic process. Should we obtain leave to appeal, this will inform any decision we make on whether to lodge an appeal against the judgment.”

Background

On Friday 14 September, the High Court ruled that donations from one campaign group to another are lawful, but that those donations may also have to be declared as expenditure by the person or campaign group making the donation, if it meets certain criteria as being for a specific purpose. The judgment can be found on the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary website: https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/good-law-project-v-electoral-commission/.

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.