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1,009 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI am always happy to receive invitations to appear before inquiries of that level of importance. The terms of reference will be laid in the House of Commons Library today—indeed,…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceThe leader of Reform UK, the hon. Member for Clacton (Nigel Farage), when asked to conduct an internal review into the Gill matter, of course refused to carry one out—although, to…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI welcome the hon. Member’s question; he makes important observations. The role, resources and powers of the Electoral Commission will be in scope for the review, as will the role…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceMy hon. Friend speaks to a very real threat not just to our democracy, but to our national security, from foreign financial interference. We are all aware of bots and the role…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI am sure that the elections Minister would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss her concerns. The review will look at any foreign financial interference in our…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceSafeguards are already in place, but the fact that the review will report in March means that it will come ahead of the elections. That is because not only Members of this House,…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI agree with my hon. Friend’s points about due diligence. It is no secret that the Government are looking at standards in public life. The Prime Minister has already made some…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceWe certainly understand the risks posed to elections; for that reason, as we published in the strategy in July, through the elections Bill we will seek to strengthen the rules on…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceThe terms of reference will be laid in the House of Commons Library today, but the review is not the only way in which we are looking at the security and integrity of our…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceMy hon. Friend makes an important point. Yes, of course the police have the resources they require to pursue any lines of inquiry arising from associates of Nathan Gill, as well…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceThe hon. Gentleman makes his point clearly and eloquently, but he is right that it is somewhat tangential to the review that Philip Rycroft will be leading. The review will be…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceAs I said earlier, we are not seeking to relitigate the past. There is no evidence that the outcome of any previous election or referendum was affected by any attempted foreign…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing young people into this House; it is very important that young people get to see their democracy in action. I am sure that they, like all…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceThe review will not have the powers to compel people to submit evidence, but, like my hon. Friend, my view is that members from every single political party represented in this…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI know the hon. Gentleman did not like the facts when I made them clear in this House, but the review is not about points he dislikes but malign foreign financial interference in…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI will not be tempted to comment on any individual cases. We are seeking to ensure that safeguards against foreign financial interference in the round are sufficiently robust.16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceMy hon. Friend is right that it is a cornerstone of Russia’s international strategy to threaten the national security and integrity of democracies, including the UK and our…16 Dec 2025HANSARDElectoral ResilienceHis Majesty’s Government are today announcing an independent review into countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics. The review will be led by former…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceI have by my side the Security Minister, who chairs the defending democracy taskforce. He is located in the Home Office, and I am sure that he will have heard my hon. Friend’s…16 Dec 2025HANSARD Electoral ResilienceThe review will absolutely operate without fear or favour. It will involve an in-depth assessment of the current financial and bribery-related rules and safeguards that regulate…16 Dec 2025