Code of Conduct and Modernisation Committee

The Leader of the House, Lucy Powell, opened the debate by outlining the Government's proposals to tighten the rules on second jobs for Members of Parliament. She explained that the current rules contain exemptions that allow MPs to provide paid advice on public policy and how Parliament works, which she argued could create conflicts of interest. The motion aims to remove these exemptions, sending a clear signal that an MP's first priority must be to their constituents. The shadow Leader of the House, Chris Philp, responded by broadly welcoming the Government's initiative, but raised some concerns about ensuring the new Modernisation Committee does not undermine the work of existing parliamentary committees, such as the Committee on Standards. He sought assurances that the Modernisation Committee would work closely with these other committees and draw on their expertise. The debate that followed covered a wide range of topics. Many newly elected Members gave impressive maiden speeches, highlighting the unique characteristics and challenges of their constituencies. Several speakers, including Ian Lavery and Stella Creasy, emphasised the need to restore public trust in politics and improve the culture and working practices of the House. The size and composition of the Modernisation Committee was a key point of discussion, with concerns raised by Kirsty Blackman and others about ensuring smaller parties are adequately represented. The Leader of the House acknowledged these concerns and committed to meaningful engagement with all parties. There was broad support for tackling the issue of second jobs, with Richard Foord and others highlighting examples of MPs earning substantial sums from outside interests while making limited contributions in the House. However, Jim Shannon cautioned that individual circumstances should be considered, as some MPs may need to maintain previous employment to cover expenses. The debate also touched on the need to modernise Parliament, with suggestions from Ellie Chowns and others around improving the physical layout of the Chamber, introducing time limits on speeches, and moving towards electronic voting. The importance of making Parliament a more family-friendly and inclusive workplace was also emphasised. Overall, the debate reflected a desire to restore public confidence in politics and ensure that MPs are focused on serving their constituents to the best of their abilities, while also preserving the traditions and customs of the House.