Labour bill would stop dodgy front companies' making political donations

"Labour will end the use of dodgy front companies that hide the source of dark money for political donations as part of its sweeping elections bill, which will give votes to 16-year-olds and pave the way for opt-out voter registration. Gifts and hospitality for politicians sponsored by foreign states or companies will also be severely curbed, the Guardian understands. The government also intends to put new restrictions on cryptocurrency donations and the size of foreign donations,"

"Pilots will begin for mass voter registration, giving voters the chance to register automatically when they interact with other government services, such as getting married or changing their address. But pro-democracy campaigners have said the bill should introduce full automatic voter registration using national insurance numbers and have criticised that it does not restore full independence to the electoral commission."

Labour plans to eliminate shell and front companies that conceal dark money for political donations and to severely curb gifts and hospitality sponsored by foreign states or companies. The elections bill will extend voting rights to 16-year-olds and enable opt-out or mass voter registration pilots tied to other government interactions like marriage and address changes. New restrictions on cryptocurrency donations and limits on foreign donations are included. Campaigners seek full automatic registration using national insurance numbers and restoration of electoral commission independence. Labour officials frame the reforms as measures to protect democracy from malign foreign influence and outsized donor power.

Read at www.theguardian.com