Representation of the People Bill

What the bill does

Make provision extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds; to make provision about the registration of voters; to make provision about the administration and conduct of elections, referendums and recall petitions; to make provision about election agents’ addresses; to make provision about political expenditure and political donations; to make provision about information to be included in electronic campaigning material; to make provision about offences and civil sanctions in connection with elections, referendums and recall petitions and with donations and expenditure for political purposes; to repeal provision about the designation of a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disclosure of information by the Electoral Commission; to make provision about the disqualification of offenders for holding elective offices, and their sentencing, where offences are aggravated by hostility towards persons involved in elections, referendums or recall petitions or holders of such offices; and for connected purposes.

Progress through Parliament

What 2nd reading means, and what happens next

Second reading is the first full debate on the principle of the bill. The House votes on whether it should proceed at all.

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Read the full guide to this stage: What happens at second reading of a bill

Questions about the Representation of the People Bill

What stage is the Representation of the People Bill at?

The Representation of the People Bill is currently at 2nd reading in the UK Parliament.

Has the Representation of the People Bill become law?

Not yet. A bill becomes law only when it has passed both Houses and received Royal Assent. The Representation of the People Bill is currently at 2nd reading.

What happens next to the Representation of the People Bill?

If it passes, the bill goes to committee stage, where it is examined line by line and amendments are considered.

Who sponsored the Representation of the People Bill?

The Representation of the People Bill was sponsored by Steve Reed.

When was the Representation of the People Bill introduced?

It was introduced to Parliament on 12 February 2026, at first reading.

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