Labour to scrap government power over elections watchdog amid fears of abuse

The Guardian - World NewsEN 3 min read 100% complete by Peter Walker Senior political correspondentMarch 3, 2026 at 12:36 PM

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The Labour Party plans to repeal powers granted to the government by the Conservatives in 2022 that allowed them control over the Electoral Commission. This decision follows warnings that these powers, outlined in the Elections Act, could be abused by future governments to politically interfere with the commission's work. Critics argued the powers threatened the independence of the elections watchdog. The announcement comes amidst criticism from Reform UK regarding election conduct and claims of voter fraud, despite the Electoral Commission's report indicating high confidence in the voting system. Concerns have been raised by a cross-party group of MPs and peers, who advocated for restoring the commission's independence to align with global standards of electoral integrity.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pakistan 30% Danny Kruger 50% Gorton and Denton ×250% Arron Banks 50% Keir Starmer 50% Spotlight on Corruption 50% United Kingdom 50% Conservatives ×270% Reform UK ×370% Nigel Farage ×380% Steve Reed ×280% Electoral Commission ×690%

Keywords

elections watchdog 90% electoral commission 80% government power 70% electoral integrity 60% election 50% postal voting 50% authoritarian ambitions 40% reform uk 40%