Issued by: British Democratic Alliance (BDA)
Date: 2025
Prepared for: Public Consultation and Legislative Consideration
Executive Summary
The erosion of public trust in elected officials has reached a critical point in British political life. Scandals involving expenses, second jobs, undisclosed financial interests, and ethical misconduct have undermined confidence in parliamentary integrity and democratic legitimacy. This White Paper proposes the introduction of a Contractual Code of Conduct which all elected representatives must sign before assuming office. The contract will codify legal, ethical, and behavioural expectations, with clear mechanisms for enforcement, recall, and sanction.
This initiative seeks to reinforce the accountability of representatives to the people, restore public faith in political institutions, and eliminate the culture of impunity that too often shields misconduct in high office.
- Background and Rationale
For decades, successive UK governments have promised to uphold standards in public life while simultaneously weakening oversight, avoiding reform, and defending colleagues implicated in ethical or legal wrongdoing. The result has been a catastrophic decline in public confidence.
Numerous scandals have made headline news:
- MP Expenses Scandal (2009)
- Cash for Questions (1990s)
- Second Jobs and Lobbying (e.g. Owen Paterson 2021)
- Undeclared Donations and Foreign Influence
These incidents reveal systemic vulnerabilities that cannot be resolved by party discipline alone. The public has a right to expect that those elected to represent them do so with honour, transparency, and a clear contractual understanding of their duties.
- Objectives of the Policy
- To restore ethical standards in political life.
- To ensure elected officials are directly accountable to their constituents and the nation.
- To enforce financial and ethical transparency through contractual obligations.
- To enable rapid and lawful sanctions against misconduct in public office.
- Core Proposal: Contractual Code of Conduct
All individuals elected to public office must sign a legally binding Contractual Code of Conduct prior to taking the oath of office. This contract shall:
- Affirm allegiance to the electorate and to democratic governance.
- Prohibit all gifts over £10 unless declared, including domestic and foreign.
- Ban acceptance of paid roles, gifts, travel, or benefits from third parties.
- Require declaration of all assets, debts, and financial interests quarterly.
- Prohibit lobbying or policy influence where conflicts of interest exist.
- Establish clear behaviour standards for public and digital conduct.
- Set firm rules for secondary employment, familial appointments, and lobbying access.
- Include a public declaration of duty, to be published and accessible online.
- Emoluments and Influence: Preventing Corruption
Inspired by the United States Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, this policy extends the principle to include:
- Domestic Gifts: No gifts, hospitality, or services over £10 value, but no gift may exceed £100 in value and all gifts must be declared.
- Foreign Gifts: Absolute prohibition of any benefit from foreign states or nationals.
- Lobbyist Access: Any meeting with lobbyists must be logged and declared publicly, all lobbyist meetings must be held in the presence of an Officer of the Office of Ethics and Standards in Public Office (OESPO).
- Foreign Officials: No meetings may take place with representatives of foreign powers unless it forms part of a ministerial role and has been approved by the Office of Ethics and Standards in Public Office (OESPO).
This framework closes critical loopholes and introduces criminal consequences for undeclared or improper benefit.
- Enforcement and Oversight
We will lay, before Parliament, legislation to create a new independent Office of Ethics and Standards in Public Office shall be created. This body will:
- Maintain registers of financial interests, gifts, and lobbying meetings.
- Investigate complaints and breaches of the contract.
- Issue fines, suspensions, and recommend recall or prosecution where necessary.
- Report annually to Parliament and publish audit findings of all representatives.
This body will operate independently of government, political parties, and Parliament forming a wholly independent division of the National Police Service, having the same powers as warranted Police officers.
- Legal and Constitutional Framework
The signing of the Code of Conduct shall become a prerequisite to assuming office. A candidate who refuses or fails to sign within 7 days of declaration shall forfeit their seat and a by-election triggered. The contract shall have legal weight equivalent to employment contracts and statutory declarations.
Provisions of the Code will be enforceable under:
- The Representation of the People Act (as amended)
- Misconduct in Public Office statutes (newly codified)
- The Bribery Act 2010 (enhanced application)
- Any future Public Office Standards Act passed to enshrine this reform
- Public Benefits and Democratic Renewal
This policy will:
- End the culture of impunity for unethical political conduct.
- Give the public direct oversight through legally enforceable transparency.
- Protect British democracy from undue foreign and financial influence.
- Reduce the risk of corruption in procurement, law-making, and regulation.
- Reinforce the principle that public service is a duty, not a privilege.
- Consultation and Implementation Timeline
Phase 1: Drafting of enabling legislation – within 6 months
Phase 2: Public consultation and legal review – 3 months
Phase 3: Passage through Parliament and establishment of the Office – 12 months
Phase 4: Mandatory contract signing for all MPs and councillors elected thereafter
Conclusion
Trust in government can no longer be assumed. It must be earned, demonstrated, and renewed through tangible, enforceable action. The British Democratic Alliance proposes this Code of Conduct not as a political tool, but as a foundational contract of public service — one that places the nation and its people above all other interests.