Elections Act 2022 Electoral Commission 2022-09-08
2022-09-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The Elections Act 2022 has raised concerns about the potential impact on the impartiality of the Electoral Commission.
If the Committee will make an assessment of the potential effect of the Elections Act 2022 on the impartiality of the Electoral Commission.
The Speaker's Committee has no plans to make an assessment of the potential effect of the Elections Act on the impartiality of the Electoral Commission. The commission itself has raised concerns about the potential challenge to its impartiality from the introduction of a strategy and policy statement by which the Government can guide its work.
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Assessment & feedback
No assessment plans mentioned, only reiterating the Committee's stance without committing to an evaluation
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The previous Prime Minister and Government raised concerns about the Electoral Commission's impartiality, leading to calls for its protection.
Does the representative of the Speaker's Committee agree that the new Prime Minister should commit to protecting the independence of the Electoral Commission and should remove the specific aspects of Government overreach in the Elections Act?
As I said in my previous answer, the Speaker's Committee has made no assessment on this particular matter. Any changes to the Elections Act will be a matter for the House.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner's specific ask was not addressed; instead, he redirected responsibility to the House of Commons
Redirecting Responsibility
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner raises multiple issues, including the removal of human rights protections and changes to the Electoral Commission's powers.
Does the representative of the Speaker's Committee agree with board members that the Elections Act seriously undermines the independence of the Electoral Commission?
Let me repeat the statement that the Electoral Commission itself has issued: it believes that the introduction of a strategy and policy statement would be inconsistent with the role of an independent Electoral Commission. We are currently engaged in consultation on the Government's draft strategy and policy statement.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to agreeing or disagreeing but repeated the commission's concerns without taking a position
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner suggests that the committee's composition is crucial to maintaining the Electoral Commission's independence.
Does the hon. Member agree that one way of helping to defend that independence would be to ensure that in future the Speaker's Committee never has a Government majority?
The hon. Gentleman himself has raised it with you, Mr Speaker, and I believe that the composition of the Committee is a matter for you. Its composition changed recently because of the reallocation of responsibilities from one Government Department to another.
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Assessment & feedback
Questioner's specific ask not addressed; instead shifted focus to committee composition changes
Redirecting Responsibility
Response accuracy