Accountability and Standards
MPs are accountable to local electors and are dependent on their votes in order to be re-elected. MPs' parliamentary work is a matter of public record, so that constituents can see how their MP has voted and what they have said in the House of Commons. As public office-holders, MPs are also subject to scrutiny by the media and others.
How each MP chooses to carry out their role will vary, as there is no statutory job description. However, strict rules and conventions do apply to MPs as they carry out their work and these are detailed below.
Some of these rules are enforceable by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards (PCS) and the Committee on Standards, whose role is to oversee the work of the PCS. Other rules are enforced by external bodies including the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), IPSA’s Compliance Officer and the Electoral Commission.
- The House of Commons Code of Conduct sets out rules that MPs must abide by. The Commissioner is responsible for conducting investigations into alleged breaches of the Rules of Conduct by MPs. The Register of Members' Financial Interests provides information about any financial interest or benefit MPs receive, which others might reasonably consider to influence his or her actions or words as an MP.
- The Behaviour Code sets out the standards of conduct expected on the Parliamentary estate. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards considers allegations against MPs under the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), which deals with complaints of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct within the parliamentary community.
- The rules for MPs’ conduct in the chamber and committees, including the conventions that should be observed by MPs when taking part in debates. These rules may be enforced by the Speaker.
- The rules on expenses claims that MPs must follow when claiming back the costs of staffing and running their offices. The Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority can enforce these rules.
- The rules for handling constituents’ personal information may be enforced by the Information Commissioner’s Office.
- The rules for election candidates and the registration of party donations are enforced by the Electoral Commission.