Political Parties and election expenses: online publication of information (P.28/2026): comments
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STATES OF JERSEY
POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTION EXPENSES: ONLINE PUBLICATION OF INFORMATION (P.28/2026): COMMENTS
Presented to the States on 5th March 2026 by the Privileges and Procedures Committee
STATES GREFFE
2026 P.28 Com.
COMMENTS PPC supports part (a) of this proposition.
At present the expenditure of all candidates is uploaded to vote.je after the elections, which ensures transparency and oversight of election spending. Deputy Scott 's proposal that the registration and accounts of political parties also be publicised could easily be accommodated on that same site.
PPC does not support part (b) of the proposition
The existing Public Elections (Expenditure and Donations) (Jersey) Law 2014 requires independent candidates to deliver a written declaration of any donations of more than £145 no later than 4 weeks after the polling day. Conversely, political parties must declare donations within 4 weeks of receipt and this is presently set at a threshold amount of £500 in accordance with the Public Elections (Donations to Political Parties – Threshold Amount) (Jersey) Regulations 2022.
This proposition equalises the treatment of parties and independent members in terms of when such declarations should be made. It also increases the donation sum to be declared by independents from £145 to £500.
The current system recognises that parties may attract larger donations than independent candidates, hence the higher donation threshold, and it also acknowledges that such donations may be given throughout the 4-year term to support party activities, whereas donations to independent candidates would normally only relate to expenses incurred at election time. However, if a Member was to receive a donation outside of the election cycle, they would be required to make a declaration as part of their register of interests in accordance with Schedule 2 of Standing Order 152, which provides that Members must declare any 'sponsorship' they receive for the purpose of enabling that member to carry out their duties as an elected Member and that sponsorship may take the form of a donation of money.
Whilst PPC is supportive of efforts to ensure a level playing field amongst candidates, it does not consider that the existing approach is unfair and sees no reason to increase the thresholds or change the way in which independent Members declare donations.
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P.28/2026 Com.