Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Not Addressed
Awkward election timing places significant pressure on administration and supplier markets.
Conclusion
The timing of the election placed extra pressure on the administration of the election, and placed stress on the thin supplier market. It also meant certain areas of the UK, such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, were placed at an administrative disadvantage. While we accept that the timing of the election added to the pressure on the administration of the election and created greater difficulty for some parts of the UK, we believe it is unrealistic to expect a Prime Minister to call an election at any time other than that which gives them maximum political advantage. Conclusion, Paragraph 73)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government's response does not directly address the committee's conclusion about the administrative pressures and disadvantages caused by the timing of the general election.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
While the Government continues to work alongside local authorities and their elections teams to provide support in the run-up to elections, planning and contingency remains the responsibility of statutorily independent Returning Officers, based within the local authorities, with the Electoral Commission having responsibility for overseeing elections delivery. We conclude, therefore, that at this time, it would not be conducive, nor appropriate, for the Government to adopt the recommendation to produce an annual readiness report, as the planning and delivery of elections falls within the autonomy of independent Returning Officers. Further, the Government’s recently published Strategy for Elections makes provision for greater powers for Returning Officers to utilise council resources, by outlining the intention to introduce legislation which will ensure the role is held by a significant senior official within the local authority. We are keen to ensure Returning Officers are fully supported to deliver their independent roles with the tools they need, but it would be inappropriate for Government to step too far into the sphere of what they are responsible for delivering.
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