150,000 signatures reached
To: Michael Gove and all political party leaders in Westminster
Increase the fines for breaking electoral law
Give the Electoral Commission the power to impose unlimited fines for breaking electoral law – so that we can deter cheating in elections, and protect our democracy
Why is this important?
We're now facing one of the most important elections in the UK’s history. And yet it’s still far too easy for millionaire donors and political parties to break the laws that keep our democracy fair - and get away with a mere slap on the wrist.
You can be fined more for touting tickets at a football match than you can for subverting British democracy, with the maximum fine only £20,000. This is often a fraction of the money that parties are spending on elections. There needs to be a stronger incentive to follow the law.
The Electoral Commission, whose job it is to police the rules that keep elections fair, have asked for the power to impose much bigger fines on those who break the law during elections. But so far, our political leaders have refused.
More of us need to sign the petition so we can pile the pressure on our political leaders to change this law before we’re faced with another election. Will you join us and sign the petition today?
We know the extent of election abuses thanks to investigations by us at openDemocracy and other journalists at the Guardian, Channel 4, Byline and elsewhere. Please consider signing up to hear more about the important work we do.
You can be fined more for touting tickets at a football match than you can for subverting British democracy, with the maximum fine only £20,000. This is often a fraction of the money that parties are spending on elections. There needs to be a stronger incentive to follow the law.
The Electoral Commission, whose job it is to police the rules that keep elections fair, have asked for the power to impose much bigger fines on those who break the law during elections. But so far, our political leaders have refused.
More of us need to sign the petition so we can pile the pressure on our political leaders to change this law before we’re faced with another election. Will you join us and sign the petition today?
We know the extent of election abuses thanks to investigations by us at openDemocracy and other journalists at the Guardian, Channel 4, Byline and elsewhere. Please consider signing up to hear more about the important work we do.
