The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced a sweeping package of electoral reforms aimed at preventing foreign money from influencing British elections, introducing stricter political donation rules and enhanced transparency requirements for political parties and candidates.

The measures, unveiled as part of the government’s response to the independent Rycroft Review, are designed to strengthen political finance laws, close loopholes that could be exploited by foreign actors, and safeguard the integrity of the UK’s democratic process.

Under the proposals, the government will introduce a new time-bound cap on large political donations from individuals who have only recently moved to the UK, effectively requiring them to have been permanently resident in the country for a minimum period before they can make donations above the prescribed limit.

The reforms also include tougher rules for company donations, stricter transparency requirements for election candidates, and additional safeguards to prevent foreign interference in UK elections.

Secretary of State Steve Reed said the reforms would ensure British democracy remains protected from external influence.

“British democracy is not for sale. These tough new rules will shut down dodgy funding, stop foreign money influencing our elections and keep our democracy strong,” Reed said.

He added that the measures would require overseas donors to meet tougher standards while ensuring candidates disclose the true sources of their campaign funding.

Minister for Democracy Samantha Dixon, according to a statement on the UK government website, said the changes were necessary to address evolving threats to the UK’s democratic system.

“These reforms will close loopholes that can be exploited by those seeking to influence UK politics through foreign money, while strengthening transparency around campaign funding and company donations,” she said.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the government was responding to longstanding concerns over foreign attempts to influence British politics.

“For too long, foreign money, foreign bot farms and foreign powers have exploited the system, trying to warp our elections and sow division in our country for their own ends,” Jones said.

As part of the reforms, individuals returning to the UK will remain subject to restrictions on political donations exceeding £100,000 for at least one full calendar year, preventing attempts to circumvent the rules.

The government also announced stricter requirements for companies making political donations. Rather than assessing donations based solely on company revenue, eligibility will now depend on post-tax profits over the previous five years to ensure only legitimate UK-linked businesses can make significant political contributions.

Officials said the change would improve accountability by preventing companies with high turnover but little genuine economic activity from making large political donations.

The reforms also require companies to demonstrate a genuine connection to the UK or Ireland by showing they are headquartered in the UK, majority owned or controlled by UK electors or citizens, and have generated sufficient profits to support any political donations.

For the first time, election candidates will also be required to prove that campaign funds received before they are formally declared as candidates came from legitimate sources.

They will also have to declare donations above £2,230 received before the regulated election period, closing a loophole that previously allowed some pre-campaign funding to go undisclosed.

The latest proposals build on measures announced earlier this year, including a cap on donations from overseas electors and a ban on cryptocurrency donations to political parties.

The government said all remaining recommendations contained in the Rycroft Review would be implemented through amendments to the Representation of the People Bill, which is due to return to the House of Commons next week.

According to the government, the reforms are intended to ensure political donations remain transparent, legitimate and firmly rooted in the UK while protecting the country’s democratic institutions from foreign interference. (Nigerian Tribune)