The Work of the Electoral Commission

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 16 Jun 2021 Closed: 1 May 2023 Parliament page
The Electoral Commission is an independent body set up under statute to oversee elections, regulate political finance in the UK and who work to promote public confidence in the democratic process. The Committee’s predecessor recommended that it “should carry out an inquiry into the role and effectiveness of the Electoral … Read more
14 Recommendations
17 Conclusions
1 Report
7 Oral sessions
5 Letters
7 Events
Activity timeline 22 events
9 Mar
2023
Report published
19 Jan
2023
Report published
15 Nov
2022
Correspondence
1 Nov
2022
Correspondence
20 Oct
2022
Report published
20 Oct
2022
Correspondence
7 Dec
2021
Oral evidence
7 Dec
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
20 Jul
2021
Oral evidence
20 Jul
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
29 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
29 Jun
2021
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 7 sessions
7 Dec 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Bob Posner · The Electoral Commission John Pullinger CB · Electoral Commission
20 Jul 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Chloe Hardy · Sheila McKechnie Foundation Chris Weavers · NASUWT The Teachers' Union Dave Timms · Friends of the Earth Dr Jess Garland · Electoral Reform Society Dr Rowan Popplewell · Bond Peter Geoghegan · openDemocracy The Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts CBE · House of Lords
29 Jun 2021
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The work of the Electoral Commission
Alan Mabbutt · Conservative Party Amy Killen · Women’s Equality Party Andrew Whyte · Labour Party Geraint Day · Plaid Cymru Jon Nott · Green Party of England and Wales Richard Tice · Reform UK Scott Martin · Scottish National Party The Rt Hon. the Lord Tyler · Liberal Democrats
25 May 2021
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The Work of the Electoral Commission; The Work of the electoral Commision
Alan Halsall · Vote Leave Barry Ryan · Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the Republic of Ireland Dr Alan Renwick · Constitution Unit, University College London Paul Comer · Britain Stronger in Europe Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC Scott Martin · Scottish National Party The Rt Hon. the Baroness Stuart of Edgbaston
27 Apr 2021
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the Work of the Electoral Commision
Dr Holly Ann Garnett Dr Theresa Reidy Professor Pippa Norris
9 Mar 2021
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The Work of the Electoral Commission
Dr Alistair Clark Dr Kate Dommett Professor Toby James · University of East Anglia
2 Jul 2020
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The Work of The Electoral Commission
Ailsa Irvine · Electoral Commission Bob Posner · The Electoral Commission Louise Edwards · Electoral Commission
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The Work of the Electoral Commission HC 462 20 Oct 2022 31 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
15 Conclusion Rejected
Second Report - The Work of the El…
The Committee recognises the potential gaps in transparency and weaknesses in the permissibility checks on...
The Committee recognises the potential gaps in transparency and weaknesses in the permissibility checks on donations to prevent foreign influence in UK politics, particularly through unincorporated associations (UAs). However, we also note the important role that UAs play in supporting … Read more
Government Response
The government states that it has no plans to produce guidance on donations, referencing the existing legal framework and Electoral Commission guidance, and arguing any additional guidance would need careful consideration.
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16 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The Work of the El…
The Government should provide an update in its response to this report on the guidance...
The Government should provide an update in its response to this report on the guidance it said it was considering in its response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Regulating Election Finance Report, that would support campaigners to … Read more
Government Response
The government has no plans to produce guidance on a "risk-based" approach to donations, stating that the existing legal framework and Electoral Commission guidance are sufficient, and that additional guidance would need careful consideration.
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20 Recommendation Rejected
Second Report - The Work of the El…
We agree with the House of Lords Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee, and the Committee...
We agree with the House of Lords Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee, and the Committee on Standards in Public Life, that the maximum fine the Electoral Commission can impose for breaches of Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 should … Read more
Government Response
The government considers the existing levels of penalties available to the Commission suitable and argues that any extension to the Commission’s fining powers would need to be considered carefully to assess the necessity and proportionality.
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Government Response AI assessment · 31 of 14 classified
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 19
Deferred 2
Rejected 3
Total 14 recs + 17 conclusions
Correspondence 5 letters
15 Nov 2022 From committee Letter to Shaun McNally, CEO, Electoral Commission on the work to replace the Electoral Commission's online political finance system, dated 8.11.22
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1 Nov 2022 To committee Letter from Shaun McNally CBE, CEO The Electoral Commmission on the work to replace the Commission’s online political finance system, dated 24.10.22
Parliament page
20 Oct 2022 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State on Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission, dated 18.10.22
Parliament page
2 Sep 2020 To committee Letter from Bob Posner, Electoral Commission on follow-up evidence after 2.7.20 oral evidence session, dated 18.8.20
Parliament page
21 Jul 2020 From committee Letter to Bob Posner, Chief Executive, Electoral Commission on follow-up written evidence after the oral evidence session on 2 July, dated 21 .7.2020
Parliament page