Labour to scrap government power over elections watchdog amid fears of abuse

"Steve Reed, who as communities secretary is overseeing a new elections bill, announced the move to MPs, saying he would repeal in full the power for government to impose a strategy and policy statement on the Electoral Commission. The powers, laid out in the Conservatives' Elections Act from 2022, were criticised as giving ministers the chance to interfere politically in the work and enforcement priorities of the commission, which is meant to be independent."

"A series of groups and MPs had urged Keir Starmer's government to reverse this in its representation of the people bill, saying the powers could be exploited by a future government. A report last year by the campaign group Spotlight on Corruption warned that the powers over the Electoral Commission could easily be abused to undermine our democracy."

The government announced plans to repeal powers granted under the Conservatives' 2022 Elections Act that permitted ministers to impose strategy and policy statements on the Electoral Commission. These powers were criticized for enabling political interference in the commission's independent work and enforcement priorities. Multiple groups and MPs had urged the government to reverse this authority, warning it could be exploited by future governments to undermine democracy. A campaign group report highlighted risks of abuse. The announcement follows Reform UK's criticism of election conduct after poor performance in a recent byelection, with claims of voting irregularities. The Electoral Commission's own assessment found high confidence in the voting system.

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