Electoral Commission Independence in the House of Lords

Baroness Smith of Basildon, Leader of the House of Lords
Lord True, Leader of His Majesty's Official Opposition in the House of Lords
Lord Purvis of Tweed, Leader of the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords
Earl of Kinnoull, Convenor of the Crossbench Peers 

13th November 2026

Dear Peer,

It is essential that the Electoral Commission is independent and able to carry out its work free from political interference.

Clause 78 of the Representation of the People Bill will restore the Electoral Commission’s independence by removing the Government's power to direct its work through a strategy and policy statement. 

However, Baroness Finn has given notice of her intention to oppose the removal of the government power to set the Electoral Commission’s strategy and policy.  Lord Evans, the Chair of the then Committee on Standards in Public Life described this power as, ‘like giving a toddler a gun’.

Unnumbered amendment to Representation of the People Bill

Please can you ask your colleagues to speak in favour of restoring the independence of the Electoral Commission and vote for Clause 78 to remain part of the Bill?

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Tom Brake
CEO, Unlock Democracy