Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

Section 51 : Sponsorship

108. Section 51 defines what constitutes sponsorship for the purpose of Part IV. The definition covers any money or other property transferred to a party for the purpose of helping the party with meeting any defined expenses. Subsection (2) defines “defined expenses” as expenses incurred in connection with:

(a)

any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the party;

(b)

the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication; or

(c)

any study or research.

109. However, by virtue of subsection (3), the payment of an admission charge to any conference, meeting or other event, or the purchase price of any publication, does not constitute sponsorship. Subsection (4) confers power to amend by order the definition of “defined expenses” in subsection (2) or the list of exempted items in subsection (3). Such an order may only be made on the recommendation of the Electoral Commission.