Overview

This bill proposes to abolish the Electoral Commission, the independent body responsible for overseeing elections and regulating political finance in the UK. The bill outlines a process for transferring the Commission's functions to other entities and requires the Secretary of State to propose a plan for this within six months of the bill becoming law.

Description

The main clause of the bill repeals Part 1 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, effectively abolishing the Electoral Commission. The bill grants the Secretary of State the power to create regulations to address the consequences of this repeal. These regulations, which must be approved by both Houses of Parliament, can modify existing laws to handle the transition. Crucially, the Secretary of State is mandated to present a plan to Parliament within six months detailing how the Electoral Commission's functions will be carried out following its abolition. The bill will come into effect one year after passing, with the abolition itself taking place at the end of that year.

Government Spending

The bill is expected to reduce government spending. The exact amount is not specified in the bill, but it will involve eliminating the Electoral Commission's budget and staff costs.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Political Parties: Loss of independent oversight of their finances and election campaigns.
• Voters: Potential impact on election fairness and transparency.
• Electoral Commission Staff: Job losses.
• Civil Servants: Increased workload in handling the Commission's previous functions.

Powered by nyModel