Improving access to elected office for disabled candidates

That this House recognises the importance of ensuring that disabled people are able to participate fully in democratic life and contest elections on an equal basis with others; notes that disabled candidates can experience significant additional costs when seeking election, including for accessible transport, communication support, personal assistance and adapted campaign materials; further notes that providing support to cover these additional costs is essential to enable disabled people to contest elections on a level playing field with other non-disabled candidates; acknowledges the previous Access to Elected Office Fund and the positive role it played in supporting disabled candidates to participate in elections; believes that democracy is strengthened when elected representatives better reflect society and the communities they serve; and calls on the Government to work with disabled people, political parties, the Electoral Commission and civil society organisations to identify and implement measures to improve accessibility, inclusion and remove barriers to disabled people contesting elections.