New Electoral Commission chairman must 'build public trust'
The Electoral Commission is appealing for a new chairman who will "build public trust" in the body following sustained criticism of the watchdog's leadership and questions over its impartiality.
In a nod to the reputational damage suffered by the commission in recent years, a job advertisement for the next head of its board states that a focus of the next chairman will be "building and maintaining trust".
The move comes after The Telegraph revealed that Sir John Holmes, the current chairman was told by MPs that he could not continue in the role after seeking to extend his four-year term beyond December.
Brexiteers have repeatedly accused the commission of bias against pro-Leave campaigners, although the body has insisted it carries out its work independently and "to the highest standards".
Sir John, who has chaired the body since 2017, faced criticism when The Telegraph revealed in 2018 that, months after being nominated as chairman, he said in a speech that he "regret[ted] the result" of the 2016 Brexit referendum and complained about "the panoply of Eurosceptic nonsense about the EU" heard during the campaign.
The commission recently decided to "pause" controversial plans to acquire powers to prosecute scores of criminal offences itself, rather than referring suspected breaches to the police and Crown Prosecution Service, following opposition from the Conservatives.
Senior Tories are now touting Timothy Straker, a QC who accused the watchdog of "gross" legal errors in a case relating to the 2016 campaign, as a replacement for Sir John.
The formal job advertisement says Sir John's successor will "play a critical role in leading the regulator through the challenges and opportunities ahead, while building and maintaining trust".
The phrase was echoed by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, who chairs the committee that will oversee the appointments process.
In a foreword to the formal "information pack" provided to candidates, Sir Lindsay says: "The importance of rigorous and independent oversight of our elections and referendums is greater than ever. The Electoral Commission has a vital part to play in maintaining public confidence in our democratic processes.
"The role of chair will be critical in leading the organisation through the challenges and opportunities ahead, while building and maintaining trust."
The new chairman will earn £71,805, plus "reasonable expenses", for the equivalent of two days work per week.
A shortlist will be drawn up by a selection panel chaired by Philippa Helme, a former senior parliamentary official, with a committee of MPs chaired by Sir Lindsay signing off the final appointment.
Under electoral law, the chairman of the commission cannot be a member of a political party or anyone who has recently served as an MP. Senior figures in Downing Street and the Cabinet Office are understood to have held discussions about the possibility of Mr Straker taking over from Sir John.
The candidate information pack says the job will involve "taking responsibility for our role as champion of the voter, recognising and balancing the tensions that inevitably arise from our main functions, and behaving with integrity to build public trust and confidence in the way elections and the political finance system work in Northern Ireland and across the rest of the UK".
The successful candidate will demonstrate "an absolute commitment to openness, ethical behaviour, and clarity, in order to build understanding about what we do, and trust and confidence in how we do it".
