The UK’s electoral process has lax regulation around digital political adverts. The current fines levied risk becoming actively “costed in” to campaigns mounted by well-funded yet unscrupulous organisations.
― All digital campaigning materials should contain an imprint saying who is behind the campaign and who created it.
― The current fines for breaching campaign rules are too low and can be included as “the cost of business” by unscrupulous campaigners. Fines and other penalties must be increased and campaign spending must be more transparent.
― Reportable political donations must be barred to individuals and organisations based outwith the area covered by the election or referendum in question. For example, a Scottish election or referendum campaign should be funded only by individuals and organisations based in Scotland or who pay Scottish taxes.
― The powers of the Electoral Commission to ensure compliance with regulations must be increased.
― Rules around the control of spending within a defined “campaigning period” should be reviewed to consider extending the defined period or including spending