To ask the hon. Member for Lancaster and Fleetwood, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the Committee has had recent discussions with the Electoral Commission on the independence of the Commission.

The Committee has had recent discussions with the Commission on this issue. The Commission regularly discusses its independence and accountability arrangements, which underpin public confidence in its work and decisions, during its regular meetings with the Committee.

The Commission and the Committee have both noted concerns about the introduction of a Strategy and Policy Statement, including its inconsistency with the role that an independent electoral commission plays in a democratic system.

However, now that a statement has been passed by the UK parliament, the Commission will meet its legal duty to have regard to it. It will continue to act independently and impartially to help maintain public confidence in elections and political finance regulation.