Marine Le Pen’s conviction and ban from seeking public office is more than just a legal ruling, it is a wake-up call. It proves that strong, enforceable laws can safeguard democracy.
It’s no surprise that autocrats across the globe have expressed outrage: after all, the law is a simple but effective mechanism to protect democracy from bad actors. Yet, here in the UK, we still lack the protections needed to adequately protect our democracy - especially from the growing tide of political deception.
Time and time again, we have seen the devastating consequences of political deception. The Brexit referendum was tainted by unlawful spending and data breaches, yet those responsible walked away with nothing more than a fine. In the US, misinformation paved the way for Donald Trump’s rise to power, with no mechanisms in place to stop it.
In contrast, across Europe, leaders who have misled the public, Nicolas Sarkozy in France, Călin Georgescu in Romania, and now Marine Le Pen, have faced real consequences. Their criminal actions were not excused under the guise of ‘the people have spoken.’ Instead, they were held to account under the law. If electoral law is to mean anything, it must be respected and enforced for all.
Compassion in Politics’ Political Deception Bill (which the Welsh government has already committed to) would operate in the same way. It would disqualify politicians who deliberately mislead the public from office.
If such a law had been in place at the time of Brexit, how different might our country look today? Or imagine if the law had been in place when Trump had sought election in the US?
Ultimately, this legislation is about protecting our democracy from capture by unscrupulous populist leaders.
This is about more than just one election - it’s about restoring faith in democracy itself. And we need your help.
Your support can help us push forward with this crucial legislation. Every donation, large or small, fuels our work to bring integrity back to politics and ensure that those in power are accountable to the people they serve.
Will you stand with us today? We need to raise another £10,000 for the next stage of the campaign. So please give what you can afford to help us make the Political Deception Bill a reality. Our work to make this happen is funded solely by your donations.
Together, we can build a future where truth matters, where democracy is protected, and where fairness prevails.
With gratitude,
The team
Compassion in Politics