Elections Act 2022
Following the 2019 General Election, the Conservative Government introduced the Elections Bill in the House of Commons to amend the way that elections are run across the country.
The Opposition parties believed that the Bill was flawed in multiple ways and weakened the foundations of our democracy. Darren and his Labour colleagues argued against the weakening of the Electoral Commission and argued that it should remain independent of Government control.
Darren also voiced his concerns about the introduction of a photographic ID requirement given that the Government was unwilling to provide people with the means to access an ID card. He was pleased when the Government accepted amendments passed by the House of Lords.
You can read Darren’s full response on the now Elections Act as follows:
Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the Elections Act 2022 and I hope that this email finds you well.
I have been clear from the outset that I oppose this legislation. Rather than strengthen our democracy and open it up to greater participation, I believe it will have the opposite effect.
When first published by the Government, the Act contained elements that I strongly disagreed with, such as the introduction of photographic voter ID, Government interference in the independence of the Electoral Commission and rules to dramatically curtail joint campaigning by political parties and non-party campaigners, including organisations like Best for Britain.
As you highlight, the Act returned to the House of at the end of April. While in the Lords, the Opposition Frontbench secured significant concessions from the Government. This included the complete removal of clauses preventing joint campaigning by non-political organisations, therefore allowing such groups to continue to campaign in elections alongside political parties. In addition, the House of Lords won a further commitment that the Government’s proposed ‘Strategy and Policy Statement’ to the Electoral Commission would have to pass a vote in both Houses of Parliament. This built on earlier concessions that the Government would now also offer a free voter ID card so that the poorest in society would not be excluded.
Opposition MPs and Lords worked steadfastly to improve this legislation as much as was possible. Unfortunately, the Government enjoys a comfortable majority in the House of Commons which meant that no matter the strength of the arguments against voter ID or changing the voting system for mayoral elections, the Government had the necessary votes to pass the Act.
However, by securing a vote in both Houses on any proposed ‘Strategy and Policy Statement’ to the Electoral Commission, the Opposition Frontbench was able to ensure that the Elections Act receives the post-legislative scrutiny it needs. I hope that this will provide an opportunity for further reforms in those areas I have identified where I am concerned this Act may damage our democracy.
Please do let me know if you require any further support.
Yours sincerely,
Darren
Darren Jones MP
Member of Parliament for Bristol North West