Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission on the potential impact of new rules on political advertising on political debate, satire or criticism during election campaigns.

The Government is engaging regularly with the Electoral Commission as part of the development and implementation of reforms contained in the Representation of the People Bill.

These reforms strengthen the existing framework for electoral campaigning and political finance and do not introduce measures that restrict legitimate political campaigning.

The measures are designed to protect our democracy from foreign interference, to ensure the Electoral Commission has the powers needed to enforce the rules effectively, and to tackle the unacceptable harassment and intimidation faced by those standing for election.