Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 14
The Government should prioritise implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations to rationalise electoral law and immediately...
Recommendation
The Government should prioritise implementing the Law Commission’s recommendations to rationalise electoral law and immediately start work towards setting out a long-term strategy, with cross-party support, ahead of the next General Election.
Government Response Summary
The Government agrees that simplifying and consolidating electoral law would be desirable and remains committed to ensuring that electoral law is fit for purpose, but notes it will be a long-term project that will take significant consideration and policy development and is not something to rush.
Paragraph Reference:
14
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As set out in the Government’s response to PACAC’s Fifth Report of Session 2021–22 on ‘The Elections Bill’ and in debates during the passage of the Bill, the Government agrees that simplifying and consolidating electoral law would be desirable. Electoral law is vast and complex, partly because of the various pieces of legislation and amendments that have been made over the years, but also because it needs to cover such a wide range of activities, to a high degree of detail.1 The Government remains committed to ensuring that our electoral law is fit for purpose, now and into the future. We also acknowledge that the process of consolidating electoral law will be a long-term project that will take significant consideration and policy development and is not something to rush. The Elections Act 2022 (‘the Act’) delivered the Government’s manifesto commitment to protect the integrity of our democracy. The Act addressed more immediate challenges such as potential opportunities for electoral fraud – as seen in Tower Hamlets in 2014. secure, fair, transparent and up to date.