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Commission fears on independence Commission fears on independence
(1 day later)
The Electoral Commission says it is "deeply concerned" by government plans to allow political activists from the main parties to join its staff. The Electoral Commission says it is "deeply concerned" by government plans to allow political activists from the main parties to join its board.
The commission, which regulates party and election finance, says the move would undermine its independence.The commission, which regulates party and election finance, says the move would undermine its independence.
Ministers say allowing a minority of commissioners to have recent experience of political life would improve the body's "overall effectiveness".Ministers say allowing a minority of commissioners to have recent experience of political life would improve the body's "overall effectiveness".
But the commission fears it will damage public confidence in it.But the commission fears it will damage public confidence in it.
Its response to the government's recent White Paper on party finance and expenditure in the UK, comes a day after police handed over the CPS evidence relating to donations to Peter Hain's deputy Labour leadership bid last year.Its response to the government's recent White Paper on party finance and expenditure in the UK, comes a day after police handed over the CPS evidence relating to donations to Peter Hain's deputy Labour leadership bid last year.
Imposing sanctionsImposing sanctions
Under the plans, the government called for the 10-year restriction on party political activity to be reduced to one year for most staff and five years for commissioners.Under the plans, the government called for the 10-year restriction on party political activity to be reduced to one year for most staff and five years for commissioners.
It also proposed introducing four commissioners from political parties where no restrictions would apply.It also proposed introducing four commissioners from political parties where no restrictions would apply.
It is important for the Electoral Commission to have access to recent direct experience of political parties, but this must not be done at the expense of our independence Sam YoungerElectoral CommissionIt is important for the Electoral Commission to have access to recent direct experience of political parties, but this must not be done at the expense of our independence Sam YoungerElectoral Commission
While the commission says it supports the case for relaxing restrictions on staff, it has "serious concerns" about reducing current restrictions for commissioners and dispensing with them altogether for four proposed new commissioners.While the commission says it supports the case for relaxing restrictions on staff, it has "serious concerns" about reducing current restrictions for commissioners and dispensing with them altogether for four proposed new commissioners.
A commissioner's job often involves imposing sanctions on parties and politicians.A commissioner's job often involves imposing sanctions on parties and politicians.
The commission said appointing commissioners with recent or current party political allegiance would "seriously damage public confidence in the commission's ability to enforce the rules without fear or favour".The commission said appointing commissioners with recent or current party political allegiance would "seriously damage public confidence in the commission's ability to enforce the rules without fear or favour".
It would also be perceived by the public "as reducing the likelihood that the commission will act independently of the interests of those parties where necessary".It would also be perceived by the public "as reducing the likelihood that the commission will act independently of the interests of those parties where necessary".
And the government's plan that four new commissioners should be appointed from the three main parties in the Commons, plus one from the smaller parties, was "not compatible with maintaining the commission's legitimacy as a UK-wide body".And the government's plan that four new commissioners should be appointed from the three main parties in the Commons, plus one from the smaller parties, was "not compatible with maintaining the commission's legitimacy as a UK-wide body".
Jeopardising confidenceJeopardising confidence
The report said only one of the six smaller parties in government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be represented under these proposals.The report said only one of the six smaller parties in government in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would be represented under these proposals.
"We do not believe the government's proposals in this area can be made to work without compromising public confidence in our independence as a regulator," it said."We do not believe the government's proposals in this area can be made to work without compromising public confidence in our independence as a regulator," it said.
Instead, the commission says it sees no reason why the current Parliamentary Parties Panel (PPP), which submits representations about matters affecting political parties, could not be boosted to meet the government's aims, while keeping the commission's decision-making "clearly independent from party politics".Instead, the commission says it sees no reason why the current Parliamentary Parties Panel (PPP), which submits representations about matters affecting political parties, could not be boosted to meet the government's aims, while keeping the commission's decision-making "clearly independent from party politics".
Sam Younger, chairman of the Electoral Commission, said: "Whilst we agree that it is important for the Electoral commission to have access to recent direct experience of political parties, this must not be done at the expense of our independence.Sam Younger, chairman of the Electoral Commission, said: "Whilst we agree that it is important for the Electoral commission to have access to recent direct experience of political parties, this must not be done at the expense of our independence.
"The commission has always consulted with political parties and our proposal to enhance the current arrangements with parties will address concerns on this front without jeopardising confidence in our independence.""The commission has always consulted with political parties and our proposal to enhance the current arrangements with parties will address concerns on this front without jeopardising confidence in our independence."