Propriety in Public Life

In the House of Commons, Labour MPs Sarah Coombes (West Bromwich) and Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) asked the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, about the steps the Government is taking to ensure high standards of propriety in public life. In his response, the Minister acknowledged the "sleaze of the previous Government" and the resulting erosion of trust in politics. He stated that the Prime Minister is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, including by establishing an ethics and integrity commission, reforming the business appointment rules, and appropriately empowering the independent adviser on Ministers' interests. Addressing Sarah Coombes' follow-up, the Minister recognized the low voter turnout in her constituency due to a loss of trust in politicians. He reiterated the Government's commitment to restoring trust through the development of the new ethics and integrity commission, the review of post-Government employment rules, and the support for the Prime Minister's efforts to issue a new ministerial code and grant the independent adviser the necessary powers and support. Warinder Juss then emphasized the public's disillusionment with the previous Government's lack of ethical standards, and he asked the Minister how the new Government will ensure that ministerial standards are upheld and that the Independent Adviser on Ministers' Interests has the powers to crack down on misconduct. The Minister acknowledged Juss' concerns and stated that the Labour party's manifesto had committed to giving the Independent Adviser the powers to initiate investigations and access the necessary evidence, and that these changes will be introduced in due course.