MHCLG publishes electoral reform strategy to modernise UK democracy
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a policy paper setting out proposed reforms to modernise the UK’s electoral system. The strategy outlines planned changes across the electoral franchise, voter registration processes, political finance framework, campaigning rules and voting procedures and measures to address harassment, abuse and intimidation of voters, elected representatives, candidates and electoral staff. Key reforms include lowering the voting age to 16, introducing automated voter registration and expanding the list of accepted voter ID to include UK-issued bank cards. In addition, the Electoral Commission will be granted stronger enforcement powers, including the ability to impose increased maximum fines of up to £500,000 for breaches of political finance rules. The government intends to implement these reforms through an elections and democracy bill to be brought forward in the current Parliament.