UK's election watchdog has said that it is “concerned” about its independence after the government passed a new law to place it under ministerial control.
Changes to the Elections Bill, which passed the House of Lords on Wednesday (27), will hand the government significant powers to direct the Electoral Commission's priorities.
According to critics, the changes represent a grave threat to free and fair elections and amount to an “authoritarian” power grab.
A spokesperson for the Commission told The Independent: “As the political finance regulator and the body which oversees free and fair elections, the way we work and our decisions must remain independent. This underpins fairness and trust in the electoral system, as well as public and cross-party confidence in the Commission.
British prime minister Boris Johnson (Photo by Matt Dunham - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“We remain concerned about the potential impact of this measure, and look to the formal consultation on the government’s proposed statement once that is available.
“All parties have stated during the parliamentary consideration of the Elections Bill that the independence of the Electoral Commission is vital to the functioning of a healthy democracy."
Many people have criticised the new law on social media. "RIP The Electoral Commission (EC), destroyed by right-wing coup. Following 202:181 vote Lords could not save it. EC will not be an independent organisation. It will be a poodle of govt. Ministers will make electoral rules. The next election will be rigged," British academic Prem Sikka wrote on Twitter.
The secretary of state will be able to issue a “statement of purpose” that directs the Commission’s priorities under the new law.
Reports said that it will also automatically add a government minister to the committee that oversees and scrutinises the work of the Commission.
Peers defeated the law on Monday (25), but it was sent back to the upper house just two days later. The Independent reported that just 67 Labour peers turned up to vote against the measure, alongside 70 Lib Dems, 33 cross benchers and three rebel Tories.
said: “Last night was the last chance to protect the independence of the elections watchdog and with it free and fair elections in the UK.
“Despite the enormous efforts of a cross-party, cross-organisational resistance to the government’s authoritarian power grab, tonight Johnson’s regime succeeded in its latest pursuit to dodge accountability," Naomi Smith, chief executive campaign group Best for Britain, was quoted as saying by The Independent.
“There is now an urgent need to remove this government and undo the damage they have wrought on our institutions and public trust in politics. Opposition parties must work together to make this a reality.”
Kyle Taylor, director of campaign group Fair Vote UK, said that the government had “voted to officially end the independence of the Electoral Commission” – and that the new powers mean ministers “can effectively rig election rules in their favour”.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)