Elections Archives

Local government: Democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform

Friday, 09 October, 2026

The House of Lords is due to debate democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform in local government. This briefing examines local government in England, including government plans for further devolution, arrangements for local audit and scrutiny, and how citizens participate in local decision-making. It also considers voting systems for council and mayoral elections and proposals for electoral reform.

Local government: Democratic accountability, citizen participation and electoral reform

Representation of the People Bill: HL Bill 47 of 2026–27

Thursday, 10 September, 2026

The bill is a government bill that would make a range of changes to the legal framework concerning elections, including extending the franchise for UK parliamentary elections and other reserved elections to 16- and 17-year-olds. The bill was amended during both its committee and report stages in the House of Commons, with many of the government’s later amendments implementing recommendations from the Rycroft review on countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics.

Representation of the People Bill: HL Bill 47 of 2026–27

Political party finance and the Electoral Commission: Regulatory powers and proposed changes

Friday, 26 June, 2026

The Electoral Commission is the regulator for political party funding in the UK. Through the Representation of the People Bill, the government is seeking to expand the commission’s civil sanctions remit and increase the fines it can impose.

Political party finance and the Electoral Commission: Regulatory powers and proposed changes

In Focus

Threats to UK democracy: Disinformation, foreign interference and declining public trust

Thursday, 18 June, 2026

Social media and other technologies have made it easier, quicker and cheaper for foreign powers to spread false information online aimed at undermining UK democracy. Such disinformation campaigns are one type of interference operation. In parallel, researchers have noted a link between declining public trust and societal polarisation, which can be exacerbated by online discourse. This briefing provides introductory reading to these issues, including recent reports and government announcements.
In Focus

Recommendations of the Jo Cox Civility Commission

Friday, 12 June, 2026

Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.
Research Briefing

Lengths of prorogation since 1900

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

Prorogation is the mechanism by which parliamentary sessions are ended. This House of Lords Library briefing sets out the start and end dates of each parliamentary session since 1900, together with the number of calendar days between the end of the previous session and the start of the new one.
In Focus

Local councillors: Impact of increasing abuse and intimidation

Wednesday, 20 May, 2026

The level of abuse and intimidation aimed at those seeking or holding elected office in local government has been increasing. The Local Government Association has found that almost three-quarters of local councillors in England report feeling personally at risk when fulfilling their role. The government has called such abuse and intimidation unacceptable and is pursuing a range of measures in response, including via the Representation of the People Bill.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2026: Constitution

Thursday, 07 May, 2026

This briefing explores what announcements the government could make in the King’s Speech on 13 May 2026 about the constitution.
In Focus

Reforming the law on donations to political parties

Thursday, 05 February, 2026

The Labour Party pledged to strengthen the rules around donations to political parties in its manifesto. The government subsequently published a “strategy for modern and secure elections” in July 2025. An independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics is currently examining the issue and is expected to report by the end of March 2026. The review’s recommendations are expected to inform a future elections bill.
- In Focus
- Elections
Research Briefing

Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill: HL Bill 116 of 2024–25

Friday, 08 August, 2025

The Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill is a private member’s bill which seeks to align the rules regarding applying online for absent voting (postal or proxy votes) in Scotland and Wales with rules in England. While voters can currently apply for absent votes in several elections online, this does not include local elections in Scotland and Wales and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Senedd. Absent votes can still be applied for but must be done via a paper form. The bill also includes provisions giving the Scottish and Welsh governments powers to include an identity verification requirement on absent voting applications. It would also align postal voting renewal cycles. The bill is sponsored by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) and is scheduled to have its second reading on 5 September 2025. The bill passed its Commons stages with only technical amendments and received cross-party support.
In Focus

Votes at 16

Wednesday, 23 July, 2025

Following Labour’s manifesto commitment to lower the voting age to 16, this briefing considers the potential impact on turnout, electoral outcomes and democratic engagement.
- In Focus
- Elections
In Focus

Local elections in England: House of Lords debate on certain elections being postponed to 2026

Wednesday, 19 March, 2025

The government postponed elections in nine local authority areas in England from May 2025 to May 2026 to help with planning for local government devolution and creating unitary authorities in two-tier local government areas. There has been opposition to postponing the elections from other political parties, some councils and some members of the public. The House of Lords is due to debate motions to annul the legislation that delays the elections.
In Focus

US election 2024: How will Donald Trump’s return impact the UK’s global future?

Monday, 16 December, 2024

With ‘America first’, where will the UK stand? This briefing looks at views on President-elect Trump’s potential trade and international policies.
In Focus

Second chambers around the world: Size and membership

Thursday, 05 September, 2024

In light of the UK government’s recent proposals to reform the House of Lords, this briefing presents facts and figures comparing the House of Lords with other second chambers around the world.
Research Briefing

King’s Speech 2024: Education

Friday, 12 July, 2024

Research briefing setting out the government’s commitments covering education for the House of Lords debate on the 2024 King’s Speech.

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