The Democracy Trust

MP Code of Conduct

Proposed Standard/Code Of Conduct: Members Of Parliament

As a holder or prospective holder of public office I promise to support, promote and uphold at all times the following standards:

1. To act solely in the public interest as specified within the seven principles of public life* in both spirit and compliance: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership. (The Nolan/Neill Committee recommendations - House Of Commons on standards In Public Life.

2. To comply with in terms of accuracy, compliance, timeliness and without mis-interpretation all current standards and codes of conduct including register of interests and statutory requirements of the appropriate public office.

3. To preserve existing democratic processes and promote development of enhanced democratic processes in all aspects of public life and politics in particular.

4. To support the rights and democratic will of the people I serve, unswayed by inappropriate commercial, career or political pressures.

5. To protect and uphold the principles of rule of law, respect for all people, valuing and protecting human rights, liberty, freedom of expression and democracy.

6. To respect and uphold the principles of equal opportunity in all matters of public office and for all the people served by me.

7. To respect and uphold appropriate protection of the countryside and environment in the area I serve and the world in general.

8. Not to seek or accept personal financial benefit or gifts in kind other than those which are intended to be passed over in their entirety to the benefit of the broader community with no gain to myself, family, or friends.

9. In respect of above I will accept no new remunerated directorships or consultancy roles after taking up public office except roles directly benefiting the community and not adversely affecting my input to, or performance in public service.

10. To provide regular and open access to the people I serve to make full use of my services and to hold me to account. This could be in the form of regular and confidential surgeries or public forums to meet the needs of the people served.

11. To uphold the principles of freedom of information and openness at all times and encourage others to scrutinise inappropriate activities of public concern.

12. Be committed to working within a ethical and moral framework in public office to promote and deliver benefits to people both locally and in the wider world community

Name:................................... Signed:................................. Date:.................

FEEDBACK FROM TWO MPs

Re: the proposed code:

On the second of March 2001 one high profile female MP sent the code back and wrote on the form 'what is this rubbish'. She also wrote that 'we already have the Neill Committee on Standards In Public Life – our own kangaroo court...... politicians are answerable to their Constituents and their Associations who deal in rough justice for MPs who don't come up to scratch as you should be aware'.

Independent minded MP Dennis Skinner phoned and left a message implying that the proposed code was not robust enough. He made various points including that of other MPs taking paid foreign trips* and that MPs should not have any Directorships as they did not need 'extra income' as MPs benefits are 'sufficient'. He pointed out the fact that he had lived by his own code for public service for over thirty years. Clearly he was a man of strong public service principles and had not boarded the 'gravy train wagon' as some MPs had.

(*Subsequently revealed on Channel 4 TV programme 28/9/2009)