Parliamentary Political Consultant for Elections Bill

Salary: c. £35,000 FTE (pro rata)

Contract Length: 8–9 months (depending on start date)

Hours: Freelance consultancy (approximately 2.5 days per week across the period, but with flux depending on stage of legislative process and demand.

Location: Flexible (fully remote working possible

Purpose of the Role

This is a unique opportunity to play a central role in shaping reforms to UK electoral law at a critical moment for democratic integrity. Working closely with senior parliamentarians, the successful candidate will lead a focused, time-bound project aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework governing political finance and safeguarding UK elections from undue foreign influence.

Context

The Liberal Democrats have been at the forefront of efforts to challenge the influence of malign foreign actors in democratic systems, including figures such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. A key strand of this work is addressing vulnerabilities in the UK’s political finance regime.

Existing legislation - primarily the Representation of the People Act - has not kept pace with the evolution of modern campaign financing. As a result, loopholes and outdated provisions risk being exploited, undermining transparency and public trust.

This role will contribute directly to the Party’s efforts to modernise electoral law, strengthen safeguards, and ensure that British democracy is protected from inappropriate external influence.

The Role

This role will deliver a programme of parliamentary and policy activity over approximately nine months. The postholder will identify weaknesses in existing broad electoral law, with a particular focus on corporate and non-resident UK donations  and develop practical, actionable reforms, primarily through amendments to current legislation.

Working on the Elections Bill, you will collaborate closely with MPs, peers, and parliamentary staff to identify strategic opportunities - levers -  within both the House of Commons and House of Lords to maximise political and legislative impact.

This role will deliver a programme of parliamentary and policy activity over approximately nine months. The postholder will develop practical, actionable reforms to corporate and non-resident UK donations to political parties, primarily through amendments to current legislation.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop evidence-based proposals to amend the Representation of the People Act and related legislation
• Identify strategic opportunities within the Commons and Lords to influence the Bill
• Draft and coordinate legislative amendments, including securing support and managing parliamentary processes
• Produce clear briefings and policy materials for debates and stakeholder engagement
• Work closely with parliamentarians, advisors, and internal teams to ensure coordinated delivery
• Support communications activity, including member updates, media engagement, and campaign initiatives
• Conduct targeted research, including comparative analysis of campaign finance systems in other democracies 

Person Specification

Essential Experience & Skills

• Significant experience working within Parliament, with a strong understanding of legislative processes and parliamentary levers
• Demonstrable experience contributing to or managing legislative or policy development
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities, including with senior political figures
• Proven ability to distil complex information into clear, concise briefings and reports
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities
• Excellent research skills across complex and evolving policy areas
• Alignment with, and sympathy for, the aims and values of the Liberal Democrats

Personal Qualities

• Strong political judgement and awareness of the UK political landscape
• Proactive, self-starting, and solutions-oriented approach
• Enthusiastic and entrepreneurial mindset, with a willingness to identify and pursue new opportunities for impact
• Confident, credible, and personable 
• High levels of integrity, discretion, and professionalism

Why Apply?

This role offers a rare opportunity to influence national legislation at a pivotal time, working at the intersection of policy, politics, and democratic reform. The successful candidate will play a tangible role in shaping proposals that could have a lasting impact on the integrity of UK elections.

How to apply

Please fully read through the requirements of the job before applying and take a few minutes to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Forms then proceed with your application. 

• A full CV of no more than two pages and including a telephone number and email address;
• A covering letter (no more than one A4 page) setting out why you want the job and how your experience and skills are relevant to it;
• To be considered for this position, please submit your application to recruitment@libdems.org.uk

We will be reviewing applications as they come in and reserve the right to appoint prior to the closing date.

Please note: 

We will not be able to employ you if you are not eligible to work in the UK. We will not be able to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

Applicants are encouraged to inform us if any reasonable adjustments are needed to be made during any part of the recruitment process.

Please let us have details of your current salary and two referees including one from your current employer – if you would prefer us not to contact them until a later stage of the selection process, please let us know.

We may not notify applicants if their application has been unsuccessful at the shortlisting stage.

The Party believes it is essential to foster equity, equality, diversity and inclusion within our workforce. We want our employees to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcome and supported to achieve their potential. It is important to celebrate what makes us unique and that you feel valued, appreciated and free to be who you are.