Sleaze watchdog urges MPs to ‘push diversity’
MPs could be required to promote ‘anti-racism, inclusion and diversity’ under a controversial overhaul of parliamentary rules, it emerged last night.
The Commons standards committee yesterday published a package of reforms to clean up Westminster in the wake of the row over second jobs and ‘sleaze’.
The proposals included a ban on MPs having paid roles on the side advising firms on how to lobby or influence Parliament. They would have to sign contracts agreeing not to lobby ministers under the shake-up.
But the sleaze watchdog also suggested adding a new principle of ‘respect’ to the code of conduct, which governs behaviour in the Commons. Under the proposals, MPs would be told they ‘should demonstrate anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours through the promotion of anti-racism, inclusion and diversity’.
But the move was descried as ‘woke’ by critics who said it was unnecessary since ‘discrimination is already against the law’ and that they did ‘not see why we need to state the obvious when it comes to decency’.
Other recommendations included banning MPs from subjecting anyone to ‘unreasonable and excessive personal attack’ both in the Commons and on social media.
On their rationale for adding the new ‘respect’ principle, the committee said: ‘We note that the current code already includes a statement that members are also expected to observe the principles set out in the Parliamentary Behaviour Code, of respect, professionalism, understanding others’ perspectives, courtesy, and acceptance of responsibility.
‘We consider that formalising this expectation as a separate principle will underline the House’s commitment to the Behaviour Code and the Independent Complaints and Grievance scheme. We also consider that it is important that the code makes explicit reference to antiracism, inclusion and diversity.’
The proposals will now be the subject of consultation before final recommendations are published in the New Year, with a Commons vote expected before Easter.
The changes were backed unanimously by members of the crossparty committee – but an anonymous survey of backbenchers conducted as part of the reveiw, found significant opposition to the new ‘respect’ principle.
‘I don’t think it’s a good idea or necessary,’ said one. ‘I think it’s a load of rubbish. If you start trying to police that, you’ll get away from your core. This organisation is just trying to be woke.’
Another said: ‘No, it’s nonsense. You’re leaving yourself way open all the time to interpretation.’ A further MP said: ‘You wouldn’t want
‘I think it’s a load of rubbish’
to flatten out the cut and thrust of parliamentary debate.’
The report stated that MPs who backed the move believed it would help ‘to counter unconscious bias and/or underlying racism’.
Alongside the principles, the code also sets out rules on their behaviour. MPs can only be investigated for alleged breaches of the rules rather than the principles. Downing street said it would ‘engage closely with the proposals’ but refused to be drawn on when the Government might respond to the recommendations.