THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE

In 1994 The Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life was set up by the then UK Prime Minister, John Major, as a result of public concern about the financial probity of holders of public office. It was concerned with standards in public life generally and particularly where public funds were involved.

The Committee set out a list of principles that they suggested should apply to all aspects of public life:

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LIFE

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office 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.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.

3. Objectivity

In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.

4. Accountability

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

5. Openness

Holders of public office 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.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office 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.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Although drawn up to inform public office holders in Britain it strikes me that these are universal principles that should apply to office holders and politicians throughout the world. As Cicero, the great defender of Rome’s ancient laws once said “the foundation of justice is good faith” so how can ordinary people have confidence in any political system if they cannot have “good faith” in their leaders. It might therefore be an interesting exercise to pick any politician and measure them against this seven point scale, scoring 1 – 10 for each principle where 10 = excellent and 1 = very poor….one might even find there are one or two politicians who would score zero……