Recommendation 1

HM Government Deferred

The Government supports the principles set out by the Committee on the importance of clear assessments of elections delivery and we are keen to work with the Committee to develop a greater understanding of this. It is important that there is a widespread understanding of what election failure looks like, but it is also important this recognises that these concepts are contested. Any impartial assessment of election delivery cannot be made by government alone and instead requires extensive input of civil society. The Government acknowledges the recommendation to establish criteria for assessing the effectiveness of election delivery and appreciates the Committee’s efforts in examining this important issue. We recognise that the responsibility for this recommendation rests with the Electoral Commission. While the Government and Commission both judge the 2024 General Election to have been delivered successfully, we acknowledge that delivery was not without its challenges. The Government has already taken action to review the existing system and processes within which elections operate. As set out in our Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections, this Government is committed to strengthening our democracy and encouraging full participation in our elections. We must ensure every eligible elector is able and encouraged to take part, while also ensuring the security and robustness of our elections. This is why, alongside the delivery of manifesto commitments, we conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 a strategic Review of Electoral Registration and Conduct. This Review was launched in response to the administrative challenges we know are faced by the electoral sector, many of which were also highlighted throughout the Committee’s inquiry. Conducted in partnership with the electoral sector, the Review worked to identify the biggest challenges and pain-points in our current processes, and to develop practical and pragmatic approaches to address them. The Review produced multiple recommendations aimed at strengthening the resilience, efficiency, and integrity of electoral processes across the UK. The full list of recommendations being brought forward at this time have been published on GOV.UK as an Annex to the Government’s Strategy for Elections, while further recommendations remain under active consideration and may inform future policy development, subject to wider priorities. We await any further proposals from the Commission on the Committee’s recommendation for assessing the effectiveness of election delivery and related matters and, as always, stand prepared to work with them and with wider sector stakeholders to ensure an effective outcome. We also note the Committee’s conclusions in relation to turnout at elections. The Government remains committed to strengthening our valued democracy and encouraging participation by legitimate voters, as set out in our manifesto. Work has already begun to explore how levels of democratic engagement among the electorate may be improved, and the Government will also continue to engage with young people, as it did in the development of the Strategy for Elections, to ensure their increased engagement in our vibrant democracy. Early engagement by younger voters will build the foundations for their lifetime participation in our electoral processes, in turn boosting our democracy. State of Electoral Law and Systems for Electoral Administration