Voters have a right to elect racists and misogynists as MPs – and politicians should not be forced to “promote certain attitudes” by a behavioural code in Parliament, a former Tory minister has said.
Sir Desmond Swayne said he hoped his constituents would not choose people with such views.
However, he said the “principle of democracy is undermined” by a proposed code of conduct that would require MPs to “demonstrate anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviours through the promotion of anti-racism, inclusion and diversity”.
MPs are considering changes to the standards system in Parliament following a protracted row over Owen Paterson, a former Tory MP who resigned from the Commons over claims he had lobbied the Government inappropriately.
The Committee on Standards, which is formed of MPs and other “lay members”, has proposed various changes, including the anti-racism, inclusion and diversity requirements.
Sir Desmond, a former international development minister, told the Commons: “A debate would be very helpful in government time because some of the aspects of the report, such as the potential extension of the jurisdiction of an official into what happens in the lobbies and in select committees, touches on the principles of the Bill of Rights, that no proceeding in Parliament be questioned in any place or any court other than Parliament itself.
“And indeed the principle of democracy is undermined by the requirement that we may be required to subscribe to behaviours to promote certain attitudes.
“I hope that my constituents never elect a racist or a misogynist, but they have a right to do so.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, Leader of the Commons, replied: “I think he shows there is much to debate on the report and, as I’ve said, I think it’s important that this House does debate these matters.
“Obviously I’m open to a discussion with him to make sure time is available.”
Proposed changes to lobbying rules
Other recommendations for standards reform include a new requirement for MPs to have a written contract for any outside work which makes it explicit that their duties cannot include lobbying ministers, fellow members or public officials.
The Standards Committee also suggested tightening rules to prevent MPs claiming they were acting to prevent a “serious wrong” as a loophole for lobbying, as well as increasing the period during which MPs are banned from lobbying after receiving a payment from an outside interest from six months to 12 months.
The Government has said it is seeking cross-party consensus on the reforms. However, Labour has already proposed its own plans for a wider overhaul of the standards system that would replace an “alphabet soup of different committees, advisers, rules and codes of conduct” with a unified commission.
