Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Impartiality

Thursday 10 March 2022 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Commission is statutorily accountable to the Speaker's Committee for its functions.
  • The Committee scrutinises the Commission's financial, operational and strategic planning regularly.
  • The current chair of the Electoral Commission was appointed by a panel and endorsed unanimously by the Speaker's Committee.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Bone Con
Democracy & Elections
Context

The Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission scrutinises the Commission's functions. There are concerns about the impartiality and fairness of the Electoral Commission.

Question

To ask the hon. Member for City of Chester, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, if the Committee will make an assessment of the impartiality of the Electoral Commission.

Answer from Chris Matheson

The Commission is statutorily accountable to the Speaker's Committee for its functions. The Committee scrutinises the Commission's financial, operational and strategic planning regularly. Yesterday, it took evidence from the Commission in public on its annual estimate and five-year corporate plan. As of yesterday, the Committee has no plans to make an assessment, and the Commission has impartiality.

Answered
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Q2 Peter Bone Con
Democracy & Elections
Context

The former Speaker faced criticism for being mean and unfair, and there are concerns about the current chair of the Electoral Commission. The new chair has been appointed by a panel including Chris Matheson.

Question

Does the hon. Gentleman believe that the new chair of the Electoral Commission can get the same widespread support for the impartiality and fairness of that Commission?

Answer from Chris Matheson

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. He is a regular attender and participant in these question times. I was part of the panel that appointed the current chair, and his appointment was endorsed unanimously by the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission. There is confidence that he understands the challenges laid down for the Commission to meet. The Commission will also soon have a new chief executive, and they all understand the challenges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about gaining widespread support was not directly addressed with a commitment or timeline.

How: I Hope That They Will Rise To Them

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