Member

Finally, on amendment 34, as the Bill stands the Secretary of State can rewrite the risk factors by regulation. That means that whoever stands at the Government Dispatch Box in two, five, 10, 20, or 30 years’ time will have the power to undo any of the progress made in this area without due consideration for anything else. My amendment simply says that the risk factors could be changed only to give effect to a recommendation from the independent Electoral Commission—it should be the arbiter of what is a risk factor and what is not. The Government were right to withdraw the strategy and policy statement and to strengthen the Electoral Commission’s independence; I support that. My amendment follows that principle exactly. I would be keen to hear the Minister’s thoughts on that, too.