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Should the Electoral Commission only carry out investigations as directed by the politicians it is supposed to hold into account? A Parliamentary committee says no – and we should be relieved.

Here’s The Guardian:

“Keir Starmer is being urged to restore independence to the Electoral Commission, with MPs and peers likely to launch a battle to amend the elections bill in the new year.

“In a letter to the prime minister, MPs and peers will warn the elections watchdog should not be overseen by the political parties in charge of holding to account.

“The government… is resisting returning independence to the Electoral Commission after Boris Johnson put it under the control of ministers, who can now annually set its priorities and direction.

“New polling for the campaign group Unlock Democracy shows seven in 10 voters think the Electoral Commission should “operate free from political or governmental influence”, including three in four probable Reform voters.

“In opposition, Labour strongly opposed ministers being able to direct aspects of the Electoral Commission’s work. But in September 2025, the government’s spokesperson in the Lords confirmed that Labour intends to “designate a new strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission to reflect the government’s priorities for elections and [the] Commission’s increased roles and responsibilities”.”

So Labour in Opposition wanted the Electoral Commission to be independent, but in government that party wants it to do as it is told – just as the Tories did. How hypocritical. How corrupt.

To read the rest, head over to The Whip Line.

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