Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission written question – answered at on 16 July 2026.
Kevin Hollinrake
Party Chair, Conservative Party, Shadow Minister without Portfolio
To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what types of political donations and political gifts to Hon Members are reported (a) by the Electoral Commission on its registers, and not in the House of Commons Register of Members' Financial Interests and (b) by the House of Commons in the Register of Members' Financial Interests and not by the Electoral Commission on its registers, where such donations are over the respective reporting thresholds.
Jeremy Wright
Conservative, Kenilworth and Southam
After their election, Hon. Members report all permissible political donations or gifts they accept to the House of Commons Register of Members’ Financial Interests (RMFI). The Commission identifies any donations it must publish from the information reported to the RMFI. Impermissible donations are reported directly to the Commission.
The Commission publishes donations to MPs only where they are made in connection with an MP’s political activities, either as an MP or as a party member, and where they exceed the relevant reporting threshold of £2,230, including aggregated donations from the same donor.
The Register of Members’ Financial Interests is broader in scope. It includes any financial interest held, or benefit received, by an MP that might reasonably be considered to influence their actions or statements as an MP.
Yes1 person thinks so
No0 people think not
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The Speaker is an MP who has been elected to act as Chairman during debates in the House of Commons. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the rules laid down by the House for the carrying out of its business are observed. It is the Speaker who calls MPs to speak, and maintains order in the House. He or she acts as the House's representative in its relations with outside bodies and the other elements of Parliament such as the Lords and the Monarch. The Speaker is also responsible for protecting the interests of minorities in the House. He or she must ensure that the holders of an opinion, however unpopular, are allowed to put across their view without undue obstruction. It is also the Speaker who reprimands, on behalf of the House, an MP brought to the Bar of the House. In the case of disobedience the Speaker can 'name' an MP which results in their suspension from the House for a period. The Speaker must be impartial in all matters. He or she is elected by MPs in the House of Commons but then ceases to be involved in party politics. All sides in the House rely on the Speaker's disinterest. Even after retirement a former Speaker will not take part in political issues. Taking on the office means losing close contact with old colleagues and keeping apart from all groups and interests, even avoiding using the House of Commons dining rooms or bars. The Speaker continues as a Member of Parliament dealing with constituent's letters and problems. By tradition other candidates from the major parties do not contest the Speaker's seat at a General Election. The Speakership dates back to 1377 when Sir Thomas Hungerford was appointed to the role. The title Speaker comes from the fact that the Speaker was the official spokesman of the House of Commons to the Monarch. In the early years of the office, several Speakers suffered violent deaths when they presented unwelcome news to the King. Further information can be obtained from factsheet M2 on the UK Parliament website.
The House of Commons is one of the houses of parliament. Here, elected MPs (elected by the "commons", i.e. the people) debate. In modern times, nearly all power resides in this house. In the commons are 650 MPs, as well as a speaker and three deputy speakers.
