Five things we learned from the IfG’s conference on standards in public life

The Labour government has been less outspoken on ethics and standards in public life than it had been in opposition. It has made some positive steps to strengthen the system, but Labour’s flagship commitment to create an Ethics and Integrity Commission is nowhere to seen. So how well is the system working? What further improvements can be made? And what is the government planning to do next? Here are our key takeaways from the IfG’s conference to mark the 30th anniversary of the Nolan Principles.

1. The government is still working out how to bolster the ethics framework

Labour’s bold offering on ethics and standards in opposition appears to have stalled, with Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds explaining that the government will “take the time it needs to get this right”. This is an understandable position, as the government needs to be clear about what any new ethics commission should do, how it should operate and where it would fit into – or change – the web of standards bodies that have grown up since the establishment of the CSPL.

But the clock is ticking – any new commission will take time to implement and bed in, and sufficient buy-in from across the political spectrum is needed to ensure the commission has legitimacy and credibility. If the government wants to realise its goal to “restore confidence in government and ensure ministers are held to the highest standards”, and to make a lasting contribution to the standards landscape, then sooner really is better than later. ⁴ Labour Party, Change Labour Party Manifesto 2024, 2024, https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Labour-Party-manifesto-2024.pdf

2. Leadership is essential 

Given that the seventh Nolan principle is leadership, it was no surprise that this was a recurring theme throughout the day, with many referring to its necessity in upholding the ethics and standards system. Nick Thomas-Symonds emphasised the important role of the prime minister in setting out leadership on ethics, and Keir Starmer’s revisions of the ministerial code and his decision to grant the independent adviser on ministerial standards greater autonomy to launch his own investigations are important steps.

But it is not just those around the cabinet table who need to lead. Our discussion on standards in frontline services saw Neil Basu talk about the importance of senior police officers living by the expectations they set for the rest of their organisation, while Amerdeep Somal noted the need for leaders to set an example of being open to scrutiny and willing to improve. Roger Gough, former leader of Kent County Council, stressed how a leader sets the tone of the relationship between council members and officers and about the kinds of behaviour that are and are not acceptable. Doug Chalmers of CSPL talked about the need for “moral courage” from leaders – who need to set an example for everyone in their organisation.

3. But leadership is not enough on its own

Leadership is essential, but it is not the only necessary ingredient for a healthy standards system. Thomas-Symonds’s case that future prime ministers will find it difficult to depart from the example that Starmer sets when it comes to, for instance, the appointment and powers of an independent adviser leaves the system susceptible to exploitation. While it is right that any prime minister has the final say on the outcomes of such investigations, there is room to strengthen the standards system by establishing key ethical regulators (like the independent adviser) and the requirement to publish a ministerial code in legislation.

The standards system rests on the willingness of those at the top to abide by the Nolan Principles and the web of codes and rules that build upon them. The spectre of Boris Johnson – a prime minister who pushed this system to its limits – was notable in the day’s discussions. It is clear that bad actors can and will try to overrule proper procedure: Alberto Costa suggested that, as a Conservative member of the Privileges Committee, he faced immense pressure during the partygate inquiry to the extent that “my head was on the chopping block”. If Labour relies solely on Keir Starmer’s good character as the basis of its ethics system, it will miss an opportunity to safeguard the system for the future. 

4. Different parts of the standards system can learn from each other

While the events and personalities in Westminster have dominated debates and discussion on standards of behaviour, our conference speakers were clear that the issues of public trust and legitimacy are important across public life. While Sir John Major argued that the influence held by politicians means they need to demonstrate high standards, Neil Basu likewise spoke about how ‘policing by consent’ is crucial given the powers available to officers.

Elsewhere, there were clear lessons for how public office-holders can improve their understanding of ethics after failings occur. Helen Buckingham suggested that the duty of candour for healthcare professionals – which the government has proposed extending to the wider public sector – relies on a cultural shift where staff view it as an opportunity for learning, instead of acting defensively.

Amerdeep Somal suggested this informed the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s ‘inquisitorial’, rather than adversarial, approach to investigating complaints. One way to catch problems before they spiral out of control could be to introduce a safe space to raise concerns – Melissa McCullough mentioned how, as Northern Ireland standards commissioner, she has an ‘open door’ policy for MLAs and ministers to discuss ethical issues with her.

5. But there is lots to be positive about when it comes to the UK’s ethics and standards

Lord Nolan’s seven principles are still going strong, 30 years after their introduction: when asked if the principles are still a relevant guide for public life, all participants in our online poll agreed. The public hold very high expectations about how those in public life act and, as Paula Barker MP pointed out, the vast majority of people who go into elected politics “are deeply committed to public service”. The culture of ethical behaviour underpinned by the principles is secured by codes of conduct and independent watchdogs – many of which have been introduced since the Nolan principles were established 30 years ago – but it is also reinforced by colleagues. When MPs fall short, as Barker explained, they can be brought before parliament  to answer to their fellow elected representatives, which helps reinforce what is expected.

While there are room for improvements, the UK’s ethical framework has been made more robust over time, and is made stronger by those who work within public life and a public that values high standards. But this can create a lot of pressure – several participants made the simple point that those in public life are also human and the system should be able to provide support and allow those who fall short to apologise.

The UK’s ethical framework has come a long way since the birth of the Nolan Principles , but there is further to go. Keir Starmer has a long to do list, but it is important that he creates space to realise a bold vision for ethics and standards in government, not least because higher standards will help him deliver on his priorities. The IfG will be paying close attention to where the government goes from here.