Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Rejected
Increasing pressures threaten future electoral system integrity despite 2024 election success
Conclusion
In line with previous elections, the fabric of our electoral administration system held together sufficiently at the 2024 general election to allow a well-run election to be delivered. However, as the Electoral Commission report sets out increasing demands and tight deadlines are placing ever greater pressure on the system. Our concern is that at a close election, issues could arise in any one of the elements necessary to deliver a successful election, and the fabric may not hold, potentially placing an election result in doubt. (Conclusion, Paragraph 14)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government acknowledges calls for consolidation of electoral law but largely rejects major reform, citing extensive time and multi-parliamentary effort required. It highlights its existing ambitious agenda and ongoing Review of Electoral Registration and Conduct as current efforts to improve elections.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government · verbatim extract
Rejected
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.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗