Foreign interference inquiry must yield tighter restrictions on political donations
Statement from Unlock Democracy reacting to announcement of an inquiry into foreign interference in UK politics
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Commenting on the government’s announcement today of an inquiry into foreign influence and interference in UK politics, Tom Brake, CEO of Unlock Democracy, said:
“Unlock Democracy welcomes today’s announcement of an investigation into foreign financial interference in UK politics. For too long our political system has been exposed to the risk of external interference. Opaque funding channels have been exploited by foreign state interests and wealthy individuals alike. (1)
“Unlock Democracy has consistently called for robust action to tighten political finance rules and close the gaps that allow big money - foreign or domestic - to buy influence. (2) While we support the government’s proposals to ban shell companies from making donations and increase transparency requirements for Unincorporated Associations (3), these alone will not safeguard against foreign interference in our democracy. So long as foreign billionaires can still funnel vast sums into our politics via UK-based companies, we will remain vulnerable.
“We urge the government to use this inquiry as a springboard for bold reform. That must include placing a cap on donations - the simplest and most transparent way to ensure that no individual, foreign state or corporate proxy can distort our democracy. Without such measures, trust in our political system will continue to be undermined.
“The government must also revisit its position on Electoral Commission independence. (4) A truly independent watchdog is vital for giving voters confidence that our elections are free and fair. When the Conservatives took away the Commission’s independence, Labour rightly condemned them. (5) Having wavered, there is still time for them to do the right thing.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
(2) Unlock Democracy, April 2025, Democratic Integrity White Paper. Available here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bd057c434c4e2d8eb0434e6/t/67eea9bf8f214062afe7931e/1743694271965/Democratic_white_paper_v4.pdf
(4) Lord Khan of Burnley, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Housing, Communities and Local Government, in closing the debate on the King's Speech, 23rd July 2024, said: “On the Electoral Commission strategy and policy statement, it is vital for public confidence in our democracy that the independence of the Electoral Commission is upheld. The existence of a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission is inconsistent with the commission’s role as an independent regulator.”
The government has since changed its mind. In a petition response, on 5th December 2025, it said: “the Strategy for Elections also set out the intention to designate a new Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission that reflects this Government’s priorities for elections and the Commission’s increased roles and responsibilities.”
(5) Alex Norris, speaking in Parliament, 27th April 2022: “It is not for this government or any government, be they Labour or Conservative, to dictate the priorities of an independent watchdog, especially one that regulates our own elections.”
Lord Khan of Burnley, speaking in Parliament, 6th February 2024: “We agree with the Electoral Commission’s strongly held view that the introduction of a strategy and policy statement enabling the government to guide the work of the Commission is inconsistent with the role that an independent electoral commission plays in a healthy democracy.”
Angela Rayner, writing in The Guardian, 3rd September 2021: “Even the government watchdog, the Electoral Commission, which upholds electoral law and safeguards the integrity and transparency of political parties’ finances, has come under attack. The elections Bill seeks to completely undermine the Commission’s role and end any semblance of independence”.
David Blunkett, quoted in The Guardian, 24th April 2022: “A free and fair election is the touchstone of any functioning democracy, which is why we [Labour] introduced the Electoral Commission despite having a large majority and the political ability to give Labour an advantage in future elections. Revoking that independence would set a dangerous precedent for current and future elections, and would give an unacceptable signal to the rest of the world.”
Unlock Democracy is a not-for-profit organisation which campaigns for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people.