Thread by @MJCreighton

As ballot papers begin to arrive, a lot of people have been asking me how the Labour Leadership election works; both in respect of the amount candidates are allowed to spend (the spending cap), and the transparency of donations to candidates.

So here is a short(ish) thread. 1/11

In part, these questions have been asked following some social media comments about donations to the Keir Starmer campaign. But what applies to all candidates applies to the Starmer campaign. Suggestions that he is operating to different standards are just not credible.

2/ 11

Firstly it's important to note that all of the candidates are 'Regulated Donees' - how their campaigns are funded mustn't just meet the rules set by the Labour Party, but must also comply fully with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendum Act (PPERA).
3/11

So how much can each candidate spend? What is the cap?

This is set by the LP at £1 per member and 50p per affiliated or registered supporter. A lot of money. But the NEC has always accepted the cap should at least allow candidates to send a printed item to members.

4/11

The cap covers spending on:
➡ All printed material
➡ All mailings
➡ Any other promotional material
➡ Phonebank lines and calls
➡ Electronic communication
➡ Hustings meetings where not all candidates are invited.

Anything given free of charge counts toward the cap.

5/11

OK. What about the donations to pay for all that?

Donations and loans of more than £500 are regulated under PPERA by the Electoral Commission. Candidates can only accept donations or loans of more than this amount from permissible donors or lenders, as set out in PPERA.

6/11

Donations are checked for permissibility within 30 days of receipt.
➡ It’s an offence to accept donations or loans of more than £500 from an impermissible source.
➡ And donations or loans of more than £500 MUST NOT be accepted from anonymous or unidentifiable sources.

7/11

And in addition to the rules set by the Labour and the Electoral Commission, donations and loans of more than £1,500 from the same donor/lender in a calendar year must be reported to the House of Commons Register of Members Financial Interests within 4 weeks of receipt.

8/11

For further information, details of what I’ve just outlined can be found here - bit.ly/37PfnlO - but hopefully this simple thread gives you some idea of how robust the system is

9/11

So where does this leave Keir Starmer, who has been the focus of some speculation over recent days? Well, in exactly the same place as all other leadership candidates.

His campaign is bound by the same rules to declare donations and spending as all the other candidates.

10/11

If you want to keep an eye on donations, you will be able to do so here on the Electoral Commission website.
electoralcommission.org.uk #LabourLeadershipElection

I'm sure the NEC will review things like the spending cap, but for the moment the playing field is level.

11/11