[J]ohn Stevenson MP has been elected to both the House of Commons Committee on Standards and the Committee of Privileges.
The Committee on Standards works to ensure Members of Parliament conduct themselves with integrity, accountability and openness, and to investigate any accusations that a Member has violated the House of Commons Code of Conduct, the rulebook for MPs. It is also responsible for overseeing the Register for Members’ Interests, a record of the financial affairs of Members of Parliament.
The Committee for Privileges is tasked with ensuring the effective operation of Parliamentary privilege, an antiquated term stretching back to the Bill of Rights passed in 1689. Rather than privilege in the modern sense of the word, it refers to the sovereignty of Parliament – Parliament must be allowed to operate without influence or threat from any outside forces.
Together, the Committees on Standards and Privileges have the important task of ensuring MPs operate with honesty and respect for the law, and are not subject to influences on their Parliamentary duties from any forces outside Parliament, save for the will of the constituency they represent.
John said: “It is an honour to be elected to the Select Committees for Standards and for Privileges. Both Committees are an important part of ensuring Members of Parliament perform their duties with the integrity, openness, honesty and accountability befitting of their office. Upholding these principles are central to the success of our democracy, and so I feel proud to take part in ensuring Parliament operates with the openness and accountability the UK deserves from its elected representatives.”
