"In a letter to the prime minister, MPs and peers will warn the elections watchdog should not be overseen by the political parties in charge of holding to account. The government is to publish an elections bill early next year, bringing in votes for 16-year-olds and cracking down on loopholes in how political donations are made. However, it is resisting returning independence to the Electoral Commission after Boris Johnson put it under the control of ministers, who can now annually set its priorities and direction."
"Other MPs campaigning for Electoral Commission independence include Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson, who said Donald Trump's administration in the US has shown us what a democracy under threat looks like: a shameless, corrupt politician ripping up the rules to protect himself and his interests. Smart added: Nigel Farage cannot wait for the chance to implement that playbook here in the UK."
MPs and peers are urging Keir Starmer to restore the Electoral Commission's independence and to seek amendments to the upcoming elections bill. The government plans to publish an elections bill early next year including votes for 16-year-olds and measures to close political donation loopholes. The government is resisting restoring independence after Boris Johnson placed the commission under ministerial control, allowing ministers to annually set its priorities. The House of Lords passed a cross-party amendment to overturn that change, but the Commons reversed it. Labour and other MPs warn that ministerial oversight would undermine public trust, weaken electoral integrity, and increase the risk of political interference.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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