Anti-sleaze amendment passed to stop MPs "marking their own homework"
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
A Liberal Democrat led amendment to end the practice which allowed MPs to vote on motions regarding their own misconduct has been passed in Parliament this evening.
Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain tabled the amendment to the government's motion on standards which received cross-party support. It means MPs will no longer be able to take part in Commons votes relating to their own misconduct cases.
The previous practice was notoriously brought to attention by the Owen Paterson scandal, when he voted against his own suspension from the House of Commons in 2021 - a saga which ultimately resulted in a Liberal Democrat victory in the North Shropshire by-election.
Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain said:
"After years of sleaze and scandal, we've finally taken a vital step to clean up our politics.
"The British public expect our politics to be mended and this Government has done the right thing today.
“It’s obviously not right that MPs who have been found to have broken conduct rules get to vote on whether or not they are punished. The defendant shouldn’t also be a member of the jury. I am glad our amendment has corrected this.
“Today makes sure MPs no longer get to mark their own homework."
ENDS
Notes to Editor
The amendment tabled by Wendy Chamberlain can be found on today's Order Paper here. It received cross party support from Conservative MPs David Mundell and Alicia Kearns, Labour MPs Kim Leadbeater and Cat Smith and the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.
The full text of the amendment can be found below.
-
Amendment (a) to Standing Orders etc. (Committee on Standards, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Independent Expert Panel) tabled by Wendy Chamberlain MP
At the end of paragraph (1) relating to Standing Order No 149, insert: “; and no Member shall be eligible to participate in any division on such a motion where it relates to their own conduct.”
-
Amendment (b) to Standing Orders etc. (Committee on Standards, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Independent Expert Panel) tabled by Wendy Chamberlain MP
At the end of paragraph (4) relating to Standing Order 150B, insert new paragraph:
“(4A) Standing Order No. 150D (Motions consequent on the ICGS) be amended as follows:
At end, add “(5) No Member shall be eligible to participate in any division on such a motion where it relates to their own conduct.”
