Transparency International UK warns against impact of Strategy and Policy Statement as UK's reputation for good government continues to decline.

• Statement from Transparency International UK for immediate release (31 January 2024).
• For more information or interviews contact Jon Narcross, Senior UK Media and Communications Manager (020 3096 7695) 

Transparency campaigners have responded to changes to the Electoral Commission warning of impact on the UK's reputation for good governance.

The warning comes as MP's look set to pass the government's Strategy and Policy Statement (SPS) - which sees ministers directing the work of the independent Electoral Commission for the first time.

Today's vote follows changes to the governance of the Electoral Commission made by the Elections Act which, for the first time, would see Ministers setting the priorities of the elections regulator through the SPS [1].

Commenting ahead of parliament's vote to approve the Strategy and Policy Statement, Steve Goodrich, Head of Research and Investigations at Transparency International UK said:

"It is crucial for trust in politics that the Electoral Commission remains independent and accountable to Parliament. Imposing the Government's Strategy and Policy Statement would fetter its autonomy and instead see ministers deciding the Commission's priorities.

"Executive interference in electoral management bodies has no place in a robust democracy. The UK's reputation for good governance is already on the slide globally, with the Corruption Perceptions Index placing the UK 20th in global rankings. Passing today's motion would do nothing to reverse this decline"

ENDS

Notes to editors:

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-draft-electoral-commiss...