National Assembly for Wales

Code of Standards for Members

The Code of Standards for Members of the Assembly

Principles

Public duty

Members have a duty to uphold the law and to act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them. Members have a general duty to act in the interests of Wales as a whole; and a special duty to the residents of the areas for which they have been elected to serve.

Selflessness

Members 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

Members should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to 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, Members should make choices solely on merit and the public interest.

Accountability

Members are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness

Members 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 it.

Honesty

Members 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

Members should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

The Principles in Practice

Members shall base their conduct on a consideration of the public interest, avoid conflict between personal interest and the public interest and resolve any conflict between the two at once, and in favour of the public interest.
Members shall at all times conduct themselves in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public's trust and confidence in the integrity of the Assembly and refrain from any action which would bring the Assembly, or its Members generally, into disrepute. Members shall not ask civil servants to act in any way which would compromise the political impartiality of the Civil Service or conflict with the Civil Service Code.
In any activities in relation to, or on behalf of, an organisation with which a Member has a financial relationship, including activities which may not be a matter of public record such as informal meetings and functions, he or she must always bear in mind the need to be open and frank with other Assembly Members, and with officials.
Members must bear in mind that information which they receive in confidence in the course of their Assembly duties should be used only in connection with those duties, and that such information must never be used for the purpose of financial gain.
No improper use shall be made of any payment or allowance made to Members for public purposes and the administrative rules which apply to such payments and allowances must be strictly observed.
Members shall comply with the Assembly's standing orders and its codes of practice and protocols.

18 May 2000