Ministerial Task Force tackles state threats to UK democracy

Announced in the House of Commons by Tugendhat earlier this month, the Task Force will work across Government and with Parliament, the UK Intelligence Community, the devolved administrations, local authorities and the private sector on the full range of threats facing democratic institutions.

These threats include foreign interference in elections and electoral processes, the spreading of disinformation, physical and cyber threats posed to democratic institutions and those who represent them, foreign interference in public office, political parties and universities and transnational repression in the UK.

“State threats are growing and changing,” urged Tugendhat. “My priority is, and has always been, to defend our country and the freedoms that guarantee our prosperity and sovereignty. We are bringing together experts from across Government, the security and intelligence agencies to defend our democracy and our right to choose our own future.”

National Security Bill

The National Security Bill, which is currently on its way to becoming law, will afford the UK more tools to tackle these threats. These include a suite of new measures designed to tackle the full range of modern-day state threats, from sabotage and spying through to foreign interference and economic espionage.

The Task Force will also bring together the many structures both inside and outside of Government aimed at protecting UK political parties, elected officials and core electoral infrastructure.

It will seek to build resilience across all levels of the UK’s democratic system, including vital security practice for all elected officials, ensuring that core electoral infrastructure is secure. The Task Force will seek to do this across all elements of the UK’s democratic system, working closely with the devolved administrations and local Government authorities.

The work of the Task Force will be reported to the National Security Council. More details are going to be set out in the update of the Integrated Review.