What is the Ministerial Code of Britain?
The Ministerial Code of Britain is a Code of Conduct. That is to assist all Members in the discharge of their obligations to the House of Commons, their constituents, and also, the public at large by stating the following:
(a) Establishing the standards and principles of conduct expected of all Members in undertaking their duties;
(b) Setting the rules of conduct which underpin these standards and principles and to which all Members must adhere; and in so doing
(c) Ensuring public confidence in the standards expected of all Members and in the commitment of the House to upholding these rules.
The Code applies to Members in all aspects of their public life. It does not seek to regulate their purely private and personal lives.
The obligations set out in this Code are complementary to those which apply to all Members by virtue of the procedural and other rules of the House and the rulings of the Chair, and to those which apply to Members falling within the scope of the Ministerial Code.
Duties of Members
{a} By virtue of the oath, or affirmation, of allegiance taken by all Members when they are elected to the House, Members have a duty to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen, her heirs and successors, according to law.
(b) Members have a duty to uphold the law, including the general law against discrimination.
(c) Members have a general duty to act in the interests of the nation as a whole; and a special duty to their constituents.
(d) Members should act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them. They should always behave with probity and integrity, including in their use of public resources.
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In carrying out their parliamentary and public duties, Members will be expected to observe the following general principles of conduct identified by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in its First Report as applying to holders of public office.
Selflessness - Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.
Integrity - Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
Objectivity - In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
Accountability - Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
Openness - Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Honesty - Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
Leadership - Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example. This is also known at the 7 principles of public life that can be found here