SL(6)699 – The Political Parties Campaign Expenditure (Senedd Elections) Code of Practice 2025

Background and Purpose

The Political Parties Campaign Expenditure (Senedd Elections) Code of Practice 2025 (‘the Code’) gives guidance as to what does or does not fall within the scope of paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 8 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (‘PPERA 2000’).

Those paragraphs are relevant to the definition of ‘campaign expenditure’ and therefore, in particular, to what expenses a political party is required to report to the Electoral Commission. Paragraph 1 lists the expenses which qualify when incurred for election purposes. Paragraph 2 lists the exclusions.

The draft Code was prepared by the Electoral Commission and submitted to the Welsh Ministers for approval. The Welsh Ministers approved the draft Code with modifications.

Procedure

Draft Negative.

The Welsh Ministers have laid a draft of the Code before the Senedd. If, within 40 days (excluding any days when the Senedd is: (i) dissolved, or (ii) in recess for more than four days) of the draft being laid, the Senedd resolves not to approve the draft Code then the Welsh Ministers must not issue the Code. 

If no such resolution is made, the Welsh Ministers must issue the Code (in the form of the draft) and the Code comes into force on a day specified in an order made by the Welsh Ministers, and is published by the Electoral Commission.

Scrutiny under Standing Order 21.7

The following point is identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.7 in respect of this Code of Practice.

1. There is an inconsistency between paragraphs 11.3 of the English and Welsh texts. The English text refers to “users of a channel or platform” whereas the Welsh text translates as “users of a channel or social media platform”. The reference to social media (“cyfryngau cymdeithasol”) does not appear in the English text.

Government response

A Welsh Government response is required.

Legal Advisers

Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee

7 January 2026