Key facts
- Former democracy minister Rushanara Ali criticized the government's elections bill as 'timid' and 'limited'.
- Ali urged incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to make the bill more comprehensive.
- The bill's progress has been delayed to allow time for the Hillsborough law.
- Ali advocates for a complete ban on cryptocurrency donations.
- She also called for stricter regulation of social media disinformation and harassment during elections.
Rushanara Ali, who previously served as the UK's democracy minister, has called for a significant overhaul of the government's elections bill, describing it as "timid" and "limited." Ali, who resigned from her post last August, believes the legislation falls short in crucial areas such as voting reform, the regulation of cryptocurrency donations, and social media content.
She has urged the incoming prime minister, Andy Burnham, to take a more ambitious approach, echoing the sentiments of many Labour MPs who have expressed frustration with the current government's cautious stance. The bill's progression through parliament has been delayed, providing Burnham with an opportunity to influence its direction.