The Elections Bill, currently stalled in Parliament, has been labelled "timid" and "limited" by Rushanara Ali, a former democracy minister who played a key role in drafting the legislation. With the bill's progression delayed to focus on the Hillsborough Law, Prime Minister Andy Burnham is under increasing pressure to inject radical changes into the electoral framework.
Ali's scathing criticism echoes concerns from Labour MPs who claim the previous government adopted an overly cautious approach. The new Prime Minister has a chance to reshape the bill and address significant shortcomings in areas such as voting reform, cryptocurrency donations, and social media regulation. A key area of contention is the government's stance on cryptocurrency contributions, with Ali advocating for a ban rather than the current moratorium.
The push for a ban follows reports that Reform UK received substantial undisclosed gifts from crypto entrepreneurs, sparking concerns about potential undue influence and transparency in political funding. Ali argues that a moratorium leaves the door open for "illegitimate donations" to interfere with democracy. Furthermore, she is seeking stricter measures within the bill to combat disinformation on social media platforms and protect MPs and electoral candidates from harassment.
Without such reforms, Ali warns that disinformation and deepfakes could infect politics with a "poison we've never seen before". Her concerns are echoed by Labour's Lucy Powell, who has tabled an amendment to impose stricter social media regulations during election periods. The delay in the bill's legislative timetable provides a window for Burnham's administration to consider these extensive reforms and integrate them into the final legislation.
In addition to addressing disinformation and harassment, Ali is among dozens of Labour MPs calling for the establishment of a national commission on voting reform. This commission would make recommendations for a more representative electoral system before the next general election.