The Nolan Principles at 30: What does the future hold for standards in public life?

In 1995, the prime minister’s ethics adviser Lord Nolan set out the Seven Principles of Public Life. Since then, the Nolan Principles have been the basis for the ethical standards expected of those working in the public sector, from the prime minister to civil servants to police officers – but from the expenses scandal to 'partygate', and ethical failings in the NHS, police forces and local government, standards in public life have been repeatedly under scrutiny over the last 30 years.

So how have the Nolan Principles shaped public life over the last 30 years? What do ethical standards mean for the way frontline officials interact with the public? How might emerging trends like technology help or hinder public office-holders to act ethically? And as faith in politics falls and public debate coarsens, how can politicians uphold high standards of behaviour? 

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Nolan Principles, and to explore how ethical standards can be upheld in the future, the IfG brought together a series of expert panels and keynote speakers – including former prime minister the Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH – for a thought-provoking and stimulating one-day conference. 

The agenda included:

Welcome

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Introduction from Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG, and Doug Chalmers, Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life

Keynote speech: Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH

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Chaired by Dr Hannah White, Director and CEO of the IfG.

Photos from this session are available on our Flickr.

How can politicians demonstrate ethical leadership?

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After 30 years of the Nolan Principles, ethical scandals – from partygate to freebiegate – are still a regular feature of UK political life and public trust in politicians remains low. What role do politicians play in leading by example? How should politicians in Westminster, devolved and local governments demonstrate their commitment to the Nolan Principles? How can they show ethical leadership within their organisations? And what does upholding standards look like in different political and governmental contexts?

Speakers:

• Paula Barker MP, member of the Commons Select Committee on Standards
• Roger Gough, former leader of Kent County Council  
• Dr Melissa McCullough, Commissioner for Standards, NI Assembly
• Dave Penman, General Secretary, FDA

This session was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this session are available on our Flickr. 

Speech: Alberto Costa MP, Chair of the Committee on Standards

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Chaired by Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this session are available on our Flickr. 

Keynote speech: Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office

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Chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this session are available on our Flickr.

How can frontline officials uphold high standards of behaviour?

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Many of the public’s interactions with the state are with frontline officials in health and social care, policing and local government. How much do the Nolan principles resonate with those delivering public services? How can frontline officials be supported to make ethical decisions? And how can frontline organisations prevent failures, and rebuild public trust where they occur?

Speakers:

• Neil Basu, former Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police
• Helen Buckingham, Chair of National Voices
• Amerdeep Somal, Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman

This session was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this session are available on our Flickr. 

Shaping the standards debate: interactive discussions

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To reflect on the topics raised during the conference, the IfG and CSPL convened small group discussions to talk through more specific questions:  

• What are the emerging threats and opportunities in the standards landscape?  
• How do politics and partisanship affect the way standards are perceived?
• What does ethical public service leadership look like?

Those joining online were able to take part in a webinar discussion on the same topics. A panel of IfG and CSPL staff will report back on the themes raised in the discussions.  

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.

Speech: Marie Goldman MP, Liberal Democrat shadow leader of the House of Commons

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Chaired by Emma Norris, Deputy Director of the Institute for Government.

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr. 
 

What do the Nolan Principles mean today?

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To conclude the conference, our panel will discuss the impact of the Nolan Principles in public life today. How have they changed the standards landscape in the UK? What do the public think about standards in public life? How useful are standards and principles to leaders in government? And how can a strong standards system support a government’s wider objectives?  

Speakers:  

• Doug Chalmers, chair, Committee on Standards in Public Life
• Chris Morris, CEO, Full Fact
• Sachin Savur, researcher, Institute for Government
• Rowena Mason, Whitehall Editor at the Guardian

This session was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

Photos from this event are available on our Flickr.