The Elections Bill

Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 16 Jun 2022 Parliament page
The Committee has launched an inquiry to examine all aspects of the Elections Bill.
27 Recommendations
23 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
9 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 13 events
27 Apr
2022
Correspondence
25 Apr
2022
Correspondence
20 Apr
2022
Correspondence
1 Mar
2022
Correspondence
10 Feb
2022
Report published
11 Jan
2022
Correspondence
13 Dec
2021
Report published
22 Oct
2021
Correspondence
21 Oct
2021
Correspondence
14 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
14 Sep
2021
Correspondence
7 Sep
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
14 Sep 2021
View on parliament.uk
Chloe Smith · Cabinet Office
7 Sep 2021
View on parliament.uk
The Elections Bill
Angela Kitching · Age UK Dr Jessica Garland · Electoral Reform Society Dr Sam Power · School of Law, Politics and Sociology, University of Sussex Helen Mountfield QC · Matrix Chambers Louise Edwards · Electoral Commission Pete O’Doherty · City of London Police Peter Stanyon · Association of Electoral Administrators Professor Justin Fisher · Brunel University London Professor Toby James · University of East Anglia (UEA) The Lord Evans of Weardale KCB DL · Committee on Standards in Public Life
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill HC 597 13 Dec 2021 50 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Committee notes that electoral law in the UK is voluminous and fragmented across a...
The Committee notes that electoral law in the UK is voluminous and fragmented across a raft of primary legislation and accompanying secondary legislation. We believe that there is a risk that this Bill will add further complexity.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the complexity of electoral law and agrees in principle that it would benefit from consolidation, but states this is a long-term project and their immediate priority is to deliver manifesto pledges.
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3 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
Whilst a number of the proposed measures have been widely supported, including on undue influence,...
Whilst a number of the proposed measures have been widely supported, including on undue influence, the Government’s decision to focus on several ‘standalone’ reforms shows a lack of ambition. It has missed the only opportunity to bring forward a Bill … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the benefit of consolidating electoral law and remains committed to its fitness for purpose, but states this is a long-term project and their immediate priority is delivering manifesto pledges.
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22 Recommendation Acknowledged
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
We are concerned that the voter ID requirement will be burdensome to poll station staff.
We are concerned that the voter ID requirement will be burdensome to poll station staff. Many of the practicalities of the voter ID system are still to be set out and the Committee intends to monitor these closely. We recommend … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the need for transparency and scrutiny, stating they are sharing documentation and meeting with Parliamentarians, but did not commit to providing draft regulations to committees with sufficient time for pre-introduction comment.
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41 Conclusion Acknowledged
Fifth Report - The Elections Bill
The Committee’s inquiry into the work of the Electoral Commission is ongoing, covering a wide...
The Committee’s inquiry into the work of the Electoral Commission is ongoing, covering a wide range of issues including the regulator’s governance and accountability arrangements.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's report and upcoming report on the Electoral Commission, noting that further work may be needed to consider implications of potential changes to electoral law.
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Government Response AI assessment · 50 of 27 classified
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 10
Not Addressed 11
Rejected 14
Total 27 recs + 23 conclusions
Correspondence 9 letters
27 Apr 2022 From committee Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Elections Bill, dated 26.4.22
Parliament page
25 Apr 2022 To committee Letter from Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations on the Elections Bill, dated 25.4.22
Parliament page
20 Apr 2022 From committee Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Minister for Intergovernmental Relations on the Elections Bill, dated 12.4.22
Parliament page
1 Mar 2022 To committee Letter from Matt Stringer, Chief Executive Officer, Royal National Institute of Blind People on the Elections Bill, dated 23.2.22
Parliament page
11 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from Tom Brake, Director, Unlock Democracy et al on the Elections Bill report, dated 5.1.22
Parliament page
22 Oct 2021 From committee Letter to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the Elections Bill – follow up to the oral evidence session of 14th September, dated 23.9.21
Parliament page
21 Oct 2021 To committee Letter from Kemi Badenoch MP, Joint Minister of State for Equalities and Levelling Up Communities on the Elections Bill - Follow up to the oral evidence of 14.9.21, dated 7.10.21
Parliament page
14 Sep 2021 To committee Letter from Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution on the Elections Bill: Impact Assessment and other matters, dated 8.9.21
Parliament page
7 Sep 2021 From committee Letter to Chloe Smith MP, Minister of State for the Constitution and Devolution on Elections Bill impact assessment and other matters, dated 27.8.21
Parliament page