Bob Posner

Bates Wells

Recently retired as the Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission, I have for many years worked in the political arena across the administration of elections and referendums, through to the regulation of political and campaigning finance rules.

I am an experienced public sector lawyer and the joint editor and author of Schofield’s on Election law.

Electoral, referendum and campaigning finance laws have complexities, for both online and offline activities. There can inter-action with data protection, advertising, lobbying, charity and public law. Cross-border activity also impacts on the rules that are applicable.

My focus is to bring experience and knowledge, enabling sound practical ways forward. That can be towards the achievement of strategies or in response to issues arising.

Highlights

• Developing and advocating policy approaches on matters related to the democratic system

• Working and briefing on electoral legislation, including the political finance rules

• Electoral Commission responsibilities for the regulation of the political and campaigning finance rules.

• Engagement with Government Ministers, politicians and their advisors, as well as with political party senior officers

• Numerous appearances before parliamentary select committees

• Part of the core lead team in the running and regulation of national referendums

• Directly administering Elections as a Returning Officer

• Being the Electoral Registration Officer

• Articles on electoral matters and media interviews

• Speaking at conferences and seminars, including internationally

• Legal advisor to the Local Government Boundary Committee for England

• Working for public local authorities at senior levels through to Chief Executive

Practice Area

Public Law

Panel

Contributing Author

Qualified Year

1981

Experience

UK Electoral Commission (2019 - 2022)
Electoral Commission (2008 - 2018)
Consultancy work for local authorities (2006 - 2007)
London Borough of Bexley (2003 - 2006)

Qualifications

The Charity Law Association
The Electoral Lawyers Forum

Education

Canterbury Christchurch University (2000 - 2001)
Inns of Court London (1980-1981)
London Guildhall University (1977 -1980)
Kings College Wimbledon (1972 -1977)

1 Contributions by Bob Posner

PRACTICE NOTES

Regulating non-party campaigners in UK elections: PPERA 2000 and Elections Act 2022 - scope, controlled expenditure, registration, imprints, joint campaigning, reporting and enforcement

Overview of the non-party campaigning regime Part VI of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA 2000), as amended, establishes the regulatory framework for non-party campaigners in the run-up to UK and region-wide elections. Although PPERA 2000 sets a national baseline, its application can vary across the UK’s devolved administrations, and local electoral administration rules in those areas may modify or supplement the regime. In particular, amendments made by the Elections Act 2022 (EA 2022) do not extend to the Senedd or the Scottish Parliament. By way of example, EA 2022 inserted PPERA 2000, s 89A, which defines a reserved regulated period Non-party campaigners are individuals or organisations that carry out activities which could reasonably be regarded as intended to influence the result of an election under the legislation, without being candidates or political parties themselves. Under the legislation, non-party campaigners are described as ‘third parties’. The Electoral Commission oversees compliance and issues detailed guidance on the rules that apply to non-party campaigners—some guidance is generic, while other material is tailored to the particular election in question...

Public Law

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