The Nolan Principles Of Public Life
The standards the UK's political representatives are SUPPOSED to be adhering to
The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) was set up under the scandal-riven John Major administration in 1994. The committee’s original terms of reference were “To examine current concerns about standards of conduct of all holders of public office, including arrangements relating to financial and commercial activities, and make recommendations as to any changes in present arrangements which might be required to ensure the highest standards of propriety in public life".
The resulting Seven Principles of Public Life, also known as the Nolan Principles after the committee’s first chairman, Lord Nolan, are replicated here. They can be found here at Gov.UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-7-principles-of-public-life/the-7-principles-of-public-life--2
1. The Seven Principles of Public Life
The Seven Principles of Public Life (also known as the Nolan Principles) apply to anyone who works as a public office-holder. This includes all those who are elected or appointed to public office, nationally and locally, and all people appointed to work in the Civil Service, local government, the police, courts and probation services, non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), and in the health, education, social and care services. All public office-holders are both servants of the public and stewards of public resources. The principles also apply to all those in other sectors delivering public services.
1.1 Selflessness
Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.
1.2 Integrity
Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.
1.3 Objectivity
Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.
1.4 Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.
1.5 Openness
Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.
1.6 Honesty
Holders of public office should be truthful.
1.7 Leadership
Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.
Yes, yes, well may you laugh, given the sorry state of the behaviour of far too many of our elected holders of public office, and across the political spectrum, lest anyone wishes to claim it’s solely one party or another. Always worth bearing in mind, too that corrupt individuals will flock wherever there is a chance of power regardless of which party they’re in. And then, there are the well-meaning, but tribal, those easily influenced, by friends, by lobby groups, to make ‘little exceptions’ here and there.
You can’t. There are no exceptions. It won’t work otherwise.
It is additionally worth knowing that in 2013 these standards were expanded to cover issues in " relating to the ethical standards of the delivery of public services by private and voluntary sector organisations, paid for by public funds, even where those delivering the services have not been appointed or elected to public office.”
In 2021, in the wake of various covid-era scandals, the committee noted the poor transparency among MPs with regard to lobbying influence, and poor, unethical behaviour on a number of fronts from various politicians.
I don’t know about you, but I think the public deserve to be represented by ethical people who follow these standards. I don’t trust those in charge to do it, sadly. So don’t just leave it for a committee, however well-meaning; it’s all of our jobs as citizens to help hold our elected representatives, and those whose services we pay for, to account.
Incidentally, that applies to the Lords too.