The UK Elections Act 2022 gave the government of the day power to set a Strategy and Policy Statement outlining the strategic and policy priorities for elections and referendums. This document shapes the role, priorities and responsibilities of the Electoral Commission.

In evidence to the UK Parliament I argue that this is removing the independence of the Electoral Commission. The independence of electoral authorities is an essential component of international standards for elections and there is plenty academic evidence to show that independent bodies generate better elections.

Countries such as Ireland have been extending independence in order to address a global call to strengthen democracy. This is taking the UK in the opposite direction.

The independence of the Commission should therefore be restored.

The Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee launched an inquiry into this.

• See the inquiry here: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/6895/draft-strategy-and-policy-statement-for-the-electoral-commission/
• Read my evidence here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/30337/documents/175389/default/

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has previously launched an inquiry into the role of the Commission.

• You can read their report here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/30380/documents/175485/default/
• My written evidence is here: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/26743/pdf/
• And oral evidence is here: https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/1821/default/