Letter to the Prime Minister

25th November 2025

Dear Prime Minister,

We, the undersigned, look forward to the introduction of the Elections Bill and are keen to support delivery of its important measures. We particularly welcome steps to widen participation through automatic voter registration and votes at 16, and the commitment to tackle the threat to democracy posed by donations from shell companies.

However, we are concerned that the Bill does not seem set to restore full independence to the Electoral Commission. Studies have shown that the last Government’s decision to seize the power to set a Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS) for the Commission was a blow to the strength and reputation of our democracy.

The forthcoming Bill has safeguarding democracy at its heart. We hope you will agree that amid heightened political volatility and fragile public trust, a robust and fully independent Electoral Commission could not be more critical to the long-term health and security of UK democracy. We hope therefore that the provisions in PPERA relating to the SPS will be repealed.

Sincerely,

Afzal Khan MP

Al Pinkerton MP

Bambos Charalambous MP

Baroness Caroline Pidgeon

Cat Smith MP

Charlotte Cane MP

Dawn Butler MP

Ellie Chowns MP

Grahame Morris MP

Gurinder Singh Josan MP

Helen Maguire MP

Justin Madders MP

Lee Barron MP

Lisa Smart MP

Manuela Perteghella MP

Marie Goldman MP

Phil Brickell MP

Shockat Adam MP

Toby Perkins MP

Warinder Singh Juss MP

Wendy Chamberlain MP

Steve Darling MP

Simon Opher MP

Ann Davies MP

Martin Wrigley MP

Sian Berry MP

Carla Denyer MP

Adrian Ramsay MP

Luke Akehurst MP

Lord Wallace of Saltaire

Baroness (Ruth) Lister of Burtersett

If you are an MP or peer and would like to add your name, please email team@unlockdemocracy.org.uk