- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
There are outstanding changes not yet made by the legislation.gov.uk editorial team to Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Any changes that have already been made by the team appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
(1)A third party is recognised for the purposes of this Part if—
(a)the third party has given the Commission a notification under this subsection which complies with subsection (3), and
(b)that notification is for the time being in force.
(2)A third party may only give a notification under subsection (1) if the third party is—
(a)an individual resident in the United Kingdom or registered in an electoral register (as defined by section 54(8)) [F1who is not the responsible person in relation to another third party],
F2(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)a body falling within any of paragraphs (b) and (d) to (h) of section 54(2).
[F3(ca)a body incorporated by Royal Charter which does not fall within any of those paragraphs of section 54(2),
(cb)a charitable incorporated organisation within the meaning of Part 11 of the Charities Act 2011 or within the meaning of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008,
(cc)a Scottish charitable incorporated organisation within the meaning of Chapter 7 of Part 1 of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 10), [F4or]
(cd)a partnership constituted under the law of Scotland which carries on business in the United Kingdom,]
F5(d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F5(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)A notification under subsection (1) must—
(a)if given by an individual, state—
(i)his full name, and
(ii)his home address in the United Kingdom, or (if he has no such address in the United Kingdom) his home address elsewhere,
F6(iii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
and be signed by him;
F7(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)if given by a body falling within any of paragraphs (b) and (d) to (h) of section 54(2) F8... , state—
(i)all such details in respect of the body as are required by virtue of any of sub-paragraphs (4) and (6) to (10) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of such a body as the donor of a recordable donation,
[F9(ia)in the case of a body falling within any of paragraphs (b) and (d) to (h) of section 54(2), the names of the relevant participators in relation to the body (see subsection (3B)),] and
(ii)the name of the person or officer who will be responsible for compliance on the part of the body with the provisions of Chapter II,
and be signed by the body’s secretary or a person who acts in a similar capacity in relation to the body.
[F10(d)if given by a body falling within any of paragraphs (ca) to (cd) of subsection (2), state—
(i)the relevant details in relation to the body (see subsection (3C)), and
(ii)the name of the person or officer who will be responsible for compliance on the part of the body with the provisions of Chapter 2,
and be signed by the body's secretary or a person who acts in a similar capacity in relation to the body.]
[F11(3A)A notification given by a third party does not comply with the requirement in subsection [F12(3)(c)(ii) or (d)(ii)] (to state the name of the person who will be responsible for compliance) if the person whose name is stated is—
(a)the responsible person in relation to another third party,
(b)an individual who gives a notification under subsection (1) at the same time, or
(c)the person whose name is stated, in purported compliance with the requirement in subsection (3)(b)(iii) [F13, (c)(ii) or (d)(ii)], in a notification given at the same time by another third party.
In this subsection “the person”, in relation to a notification to which subsection (3)(c) [F14or (d)] applies, is to be read as “the person or officer”.]
[F15(3B)For the purposes of subsection (3)(c), the “relevant participators” in relation to a body are—
(a)in the case of a body falling with section 54(2)(b) (companies), the body's directors;
(b)in the case of a body falling within section 54(2)(d) (trade unions), the body's officers (within the meaning of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992: see section 119 of that Act);
(c)in the case of a body falling within section 54(2)(e) (building societies), the body's directors;
(d)in the case of a body falling within section 54(2)(f) (limited liability partnerships), the body's members;
(e)in the case of a body falling within section 54(2)(g) (friendly societies etc)—
(i)where the body is a friendly society, the members of the body's committee of management;
(ii)otherwise, the members of the body's committee of management or other directing body;
(f)in the case of a body falling within section 54(2)(h) (unincorporated associations)—
(i)where the body has more than 15 members and has officers or a governing body, those officers or the members of that governing body;
(ii)otherwise, the body's members.
(3C)For the purposes of subsection (3)(d), the “relevant details” in relation to a body are—
(a)in the case of a body falling within subsection (2)(ca) (body incorporated by Royal Charter)—
(i)the name of the body,
(ii)the address of its main office in the United Kingdom, and
(iii)the names of its officers or the members of its governing body;
(b)in the case of a body falling within subsection (2)(cb) or (cc) (charitable incorporated organisation)—
(i)the name of the body,
(ii)the address of its principal office, and
(iii)the names of its charity trustees within the meaning of the Charities Act 2011, the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 or the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (asp 10);
(c)in the case of a body falling within subsection (2)(cd) (Scottish partnership)—
(i)the name of the body,
(ii)the address of its main office in the United Kingdom, and
(iii)the names of the partners.]
[F16(3D)A notification given under subsection (1) by a third party so as to be subject to the lower-tier expenditure limits must contain a statement to that effect.]
(4)Subject to the following provisions of this section, a notification under subsection (1) (“the original notification”)—
(a)shall be in force as from the date on which it is received by the Commission, but
(b)shall, subject to subsection (5), lapse at the end of the period of three months beginning with any anniversary of that date unless the third party notifies the Commission that the third party wishes the original notification to continue in force.
(5)Where—
(a)the original notification would apart from this subsection lapse under subsection (4)(b) at the end of any such period of three months as is mentioned in that provision, but
(b)the end of that period falls within any regulated period at the end of which a return will fall to be prepared under section 96 in respect of controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the third party during the regulated period,
the original notification shall be treated, for all purposes connected with controlled expenditure so incurred during the regulated period, as lapsing at the end of that period instead.
(6)A notification under subsection (4)(b) (“the renewal notification”) must either—
(a)confirm that all the statements [F17within subsection (3)] contained in the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, are accurate; or
(b)indicate that any statement [F18within subsection (3)] contained in that notification, as it so has effect, is replaced by some other statement conforming with [F19that subsection].
[F20(6A)In a case where the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, contains a statement within subsection (3D), the renewal notification must either—
(a)confirm that the statement is to continue to have effect, or
(b)indicate that the statement is withdrawn.]
(7)A notification under subsection (4)(b) must be received by the Commission during the period beginning one month before the relevant anniversary for the purposes of that provision and ending three months after it.
(8)A third party may, at any time after giving the original notification, give the Commission a notification (“a notification of alteration”) indicating that—
[F21(a)any statement within subsection (3) that is contained in the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, is replaced by some other statement conforming with that subsection that is contained in the notification of alteration, or
(b)any statement within subsection (3D) that is contained in the original notification, as it has effect for the time being, is withdrawn.]
[F22(9)The Secretary of State may by order amend subsection (2), as it applies for the purposes of a period in relation to which any limit is imposed by paragraph 3, 7, 9, 10 or 11 of Schedule 10 (periods involving parliamentary general elections or general elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly), by—
(a)adding a description of third party to the list in that subsection,
(b)removing a description of third party from that list, or
(c)varying the description of a third party in that list.
(10)An order under subsection (9)(b) or (c) may be made only where the order gives effect to a recommendation of the Commission.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 88(2)(a) inserted (1.1.2010) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c.12), ss. 18(2), 43; S.I. 2009/3084, art. 4(g)
F2S. 88(2)(b) omitted (24.11.2022) by virtue of Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 24(4)(a), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F3S. 88(2)(ca)-(cd) inserted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(2), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F4Word in s. 88(2)(cc) inserted (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 4(4)(a) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))
F5S. 88(2)(d)(e) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 4(4)(b) (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))
F6S. 88(3)(a)(iii) omitted (8.12.2015) by virtue of The European Parliamentary Elections (Miscellaneous Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/1982), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 4 (with art. 3)
F7S. 88(3)(b) omitted (24.11.2022) by virtue of Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 24(4)(b), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F8Words in s. 88(3)(c) repealed (31.12.2020) by The European Parliamentary Elections Etc. (Repeal, Revocation, Amendment and Saving Provisions) (United Kingdom and Gibraltar) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1310), reg. 1, Sch. 1 Pt. 1 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1389, regs. 1, 2(2))
F9S. 88(3)(c)(ia) inserted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(3), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F10S. 88(3)(d) inserted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(4), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F11S. 88(3A) inserted (1.1.2010) by Political Parties and Elections Act 2009 (c.12), ss. 18(2), 43; S.I. 2009/3084, art. 4(g)
F12Words in s. 88(3A) substituted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 24(4)(c), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F13Words in s. 88(3A) substituted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(5)(a), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F14Words in s. 88(3A) inserted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(5)(b), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F15S. 88(3B)(3C) inserted (23.5.2014) by Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014 (c. 4), ss. 32(6), 45(1)(b)(iii); S.I. 2014/1236, art. 2(1)(h)
F16S. 88(3D) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(3), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F17Words in s. 88(6)(a) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(4)(a), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F18Words in s. 88(6)(b) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(4)(b)(i), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F19Words in s. 88(6)(b) substituted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(4)(b)(ii), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F20S. 88(6A) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(5), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F21S. 88(8)(a)(b) substituted for s. 88(8)(a)(b) and words (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 28(6), 67(1) (with s. 28(13)(14)); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
F22S. 88(9)(10) inserted (24.11.2022) by Elections Act 2022 (c. 37), ss. 27(1), 67(1); S.I. 2022/1226, reg. 2(c)
Commencement Information
I1S. 88 wholly in force at 16.2.2001; s. 88 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 163(2); s. 88 in force at 16.2.2001 by S.I. 2001/222, art. 2, Sch. 1 Pt. I (subject to transitional provisions in Sch. 1 Pt. II)
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: