Government puts democracy first by scrapping ministers’ power to influence the elections’ regulator
Statement from Unlock Democracy reacting to the government’s decision to abolish the Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission
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The government has announced it will repeal controversial Conservative changes that granted ministers a new power to influence the elections’ regulator.
Commenting on Secretary of State, Steve Reed’s announcement in Parliament today, Tom Brake, Chief Executive of Unlock Democracy, said:
“Free and fair elections depend on oversight by a body that is impartial and is seen to be impartial. That is why we welcome the government’s decision to abolish the Strategy and Policy Statement for the Electoral Commission.
“Introduced by the last government, this power risked opening the door to political influence over the elections’ regulator. Scrapping it is a decisive step towards rebuilding public trust.
“The future of our democracy must always matter more than the interests of any one political party. We are delighted that the government has decided to abandon its prior stance and do the right thing.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
The Elections Act of 2022 empowered ministers to set a Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS) for the Electoral Commission, to which the Electoral Commission was required to “have regard” in its work.
The Electoral Commission stated that “the introduction of a Strategy and Policy Statement – enabling the government to guide the work of the Commission – is inconsistent with the role that an independent electoral commission plays in a healthy democracy.”
Academics and campaigners were clear that the last government’s changes blurred lines of accountability between Parliament and government and undermined the Commission’s independent status.
In late 2025, 42 Parliamentarians co-signed a letter to the Prime Minister, organised by Unlock Democracy, calling for the Strategy and Policy Statement to be scrapped.
Tom Brake is available for interview on this subject. Please email media.office@unlockdemocracy.org.uk or call 07948 219975 to arrange a booking.
Unlock Democracy is a not-for-profit organisation which campaigns for a vibrant, inclusive democracy that puts power in the hands of the people.