Committee publication · Special Report · 5 March 2026 · HC 1709
1st Special Report: Speaker’s Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections: Government Response
From: Speaker's Conference (2024)
Inquiry: Speaker’s Conference on the security of candidates, MPs and elections
Summary
This document is the Government Response to two reports by the Speaker's Conference on the security of MPs, candidates, and elections. The Government accepts or partially accepts the Conference's 40+ recommendations spanning campaign conduct codes, private security provision, electoral law reform, police guidance, and social media regulation. The response outlines existing protective measures, announced reforms, and commitments to work with police, Parliament, and electoral bodies to reduce threats and intimidation in democratic processes.
Key findings
- Government confirms £31m was invested ahead of the last General Election to boost police capacity and provide private security for at-risk candidates, with 532 events supported for 206 candidates via Op REGENCY.
- Government commits to establish a campaign code of conduct in place for May 2026 elections, to be developed with the Speaker, Electoral Commission, and political parties.
- Electoral law reforms announced in the Strategy for Modern and Secure Elections include: removal of candidates' home addresses from publication, introduction of ID checks for candidates, and a new aggravating sentencing factor for offences targeting elected representatives.
- Government will make candidate contact information sharing optional via nomination forms so police can contact candidates for security briefings and support.
- Government acknowledges disqualification orders under the Elections Act 2022 are underused and commits to work with Crown Prosecution Service, Sentencing Council, and courts to ensure awareness and consistent application.
- Defending Democracy Taskforce (chaired by Security Minister) drives whole-of-Government response; government notes over half of candidates faced abuse at last election and nearly all MPs have experienced harassment.
Government position
The Government accepts or partially accepts the Speaker's Conference recommendations. On electoral law review (Recommendation 8), Government partially accepts, agreeing to remove home address publication and introduce ID checks, but declining to expand Section 106 offences beyond personal conduct to political statements, citing protection of robust political debate. Government supports the campaign code of conduct, private security provision continuation, and measures to improve police and electoral official guidance. It commits to work with the Crown Prosecution Service and Sentencing Council on disqualification order awareness, and to implement legislative changes restricting protests at homes of elected representatives. Overall stance: constructive engagement with multi-departmental implementation roadmap.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Speaker's Conference (2024), UK Government (cross-departmental), National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), Parliamentary Security Department (PSD), Electoral Commission, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Defending Democracy Taskforce, Ofcom
Notable line
“No one should be deterred from standing for public office due to safety concerns. Harassment of politicians undermines democracy and risks silencing voices.”
Key Quotes
“The murders of Jo Cox and Sir David Amess were not isolated tragedies; they shocked Parliament and our democracy, leaving grief and fear that now shape political discourse.”
“At the last general election, over half of candidates faced abuse or intimidation, and nearly all MPs have experienced it. This is unacceptable.”
“Ahead of the last General Election, £31m was invested to boost police capacity and provide bespoke private security for those most at risk.”
“For the first time ever, in the 2024 General Election, the Home Office provided a Private Security offering for all Parliamentary candidates called Op REGENCY.”
“… we are taking forward several changes to legislation which will improve protections for candidates, campaigners and electoral staff, and ensure that there are appropriate sanctions for those who abuse them.”
“The Government is clear that candidates should feel safe and secure in their homes and we will continue to review how their personal information is handled in the electoral process, including on ballot papers.”
“Robust political debate and freedom of expression is a fundamental part of our democracy. Including political statements within this offence would place a significant burden on the courts to act as de facto fact checkers during elections and would unnecessarily …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗