• THE Elections Bill will allow ministers to define and curtail “campaigning”, could make co-ordinating opposition an offence, and permit political meddling in the Electoral Commission.

The bill will undergo a second reading in the House of Commons on September 7 and we can’t let it pass.

A free election is one where unaffiliated organisations, charities, and even the person on the street can be part of the debate.

And where independent groups like Best for Britain, who are campaigning against this bill, can provide voters with information on parties and their policies.

By putting restrictions on campaigning and cross-party co-operation, this bill stifles healthy opposition.

With the policing bill, which bans “noisy protests”, and other bills reducing the power of judicial review of ministers’ decisions, I’m concerned this government is trying to stamp out healthy dissent.

The UK should not go down this road.

LEWIS EVANS
Address supplied