Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Elections Bill: Electoral Commission’s Discharge of Functions

Thursday 22 July 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Elections Bill proposes changes to the Electoral Commission's accountability through statute.
  • The Government believes effective enforcement of electoral law gives voters confidence in the system.
  • Under the Elections Bill, the Electoral Commission's powers to ensure prosecution of electoral law breaches will be curtailed.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Elections Bill proposes changes to the accountability of the Electoral Commission, raising concerns about its ability to fulfill its duties effectively.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential effect of the proposal in the Elections Bill to introduce a strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission on the commission's ability to discharge its functions?

Answer from Chris Matheson (UK Government Minister for the Constitution)

Any changes to the commission's accountability are a matter for the UK Parliament through statute and not the Speaker's Committee. The Elections Bill was introduced to the House earlier this month. Members will have the opportunity to debate the proposals relating to the Electoral Commission during the passage of the Bill. The commission will provide briefings for parliamentarians to support their considerations of the Bill's content and impact, covering the full scope of the measures proposed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide a specific assessment of how the proposals might affect the Electoral Commission's ability to discharge its functions.

How: Debate Will Cover

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Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Elections Bill proposes significant changes that could weaken the Electoral Commission's capacity to regulate political finance and prosecute electoral law violations.

Question

I thank the hon. Member for that response, but under the Government's proposals in the Elections Bill, the Electoral Commission's powers to ensure that criminal offences under electoral law are prosecuted will be drastically curtailed. Given the numerous instances over recent years of sharp practice and outright criminality, and the corrupting influence of dark money in our democratic processes, will the Electoral Commission be able to fulfil its basic remit and properly regulate donations and spending if the Bill is passed?

Answer from Chris Matheson (UK Government Minister for the Constitution)

Effective enforcement when rules are broken gives voters and campaigners confidence in the system. Where any political party or campaigner deliberately or recklessly breaks electoral law, voters have the right to expect that they will face prosecution. The Government do not consider prosecution an area of work for the commission. If the Elections Bill is passed, the commission will work with the Government and other prosecuting authorities to ensure no regulatory gap across the full range of offences. The commission retains a range of powers and access to civil sanctions to continue its important work in regulating political finance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address whether the Electoral Commission could effectively fulfill its basic remit under the proposed changes, focusing instead on assurances about enforcement mechanisms.

How: Work With Other Authorities

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