Statement
My Honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Homelessness and Democracy (Rushanara Ali MP) has today made the following statement:
I am delighted to announce the publication of the government’s new strategy for modern and secure elections. This marks a significant step forward to strengthening our democracy and upholding the integrity of our electoral system. It sets out a clear vision for modern, secure and inclusive elections, underpinned by transparency, resilience and fairness.
Our democracy is central to who we are as a country. We can take pride in its evolution and how it has inspired people around the world; we have a responsibility to protect and strengthen that democracy. In each generation there must be a national conversation about how to protect our democratic system and culture, so that we build on our advances and leave a democracy more robust and relevant to the next generation. We must build upon the foundations laid by those who came before us, and leave it better than we found it.
This bold new strategy reflects the ambition of this government to ensure that every eligible citizen can participate confidently and safely in a democracy protected against evolving threats and challenges. It looks ahead – building on what works well while making the changes we need to face a changing and challenging world.
We will bring forward a Bill during this Parliament, which will include extending the right to vote to 16- and 17-year-olds and work to create a system of automated voter registration. We will bring forward new safeguards on digital campaigning and pave the way for digital voter identification; rebuild our firewall against foreign interference and protect those who put their name forward to stand in elections against harassment and intimidation.
These are changes designed to protect our democracy.
The strategy has been developed by working across government, through close engagement with key partners from across the electoral community, with young people and civil society organisations. It outlines a programme of work that will support innovation, improve accessibility, strengthen oversight, safeguard against known and emerging threats, and ensure that only those with a legitimate interest in the UK get to decide its future.
We are grateful to all those who contributed to this strategy and look forward to continuing to work across government and the devolved nations, with our partners in the electoral community and with the wider public to ensure its successful implementation into law.
The strategy is available on GOV.UK and a copy will be placed in the libraries of both Houses.
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