Ministry of Justice
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Government response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life report
A strong and effective Electoral Commission is vital to democracy, Ministers said today in response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life's eleventh report, Review of the Electoral Commission.
The Government believes a re-focused mandate and enhanced governance and accountability will help the Electoral Commission to further meet its statutory duties while maintaining its independence.
The Government will:
* Support the Commission's withdrawal from its statutory duty to encourage participation in the democratic process.
* Limit the Commission's policy development role to the consideration of changes that would help it to perform its core regulatory duties.
* Relax restrictions to allow for the appointment of a minority of commissioners with experience across the political spectrum. These appointees will not act as party representatives but will be able to use their political experience to enhance the Commission.
* Repeal the current provision in the Political Parties and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000 which allows for the transfer of boundary setting to the Electoral Commission.
* Work with the Commission to determine whether it needs more powers and sanctions to become a more robust regulator.
Jack Straw, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said:
"I am grateful to the Committee for thoroughly examining the issues and making recommendations for improvement. This is a useful review marking some six years since the Electoral Commission was created.
"The Government is committed to a strong, effective and independent Electoral Commission and is keen to take forward recommendations that will enable the Commission to more effectively carry out its dual role as regulator of party funding and campaign expenditure, and electoral administration."
Bridget Prentice, Justice Minister said:
"A proactive, focused and efficient Electoral Commission, acting as a strong regulator, is vital to protecting and enhancing the health of our democratic system.
"The Government is dedicated to working together with the Electoral Commission and other stakeholders to put in place arrangements and legislation to assist the Commission in improving its overall effectiveness."
Notes to Editors
1. The Government response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life's eleventh report, Review of the Electoral Commission, published today, can be found at http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/gov-resp-review-elec-comm.htm
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