Integrity pledge
When I stood as a Conservative Candidate at the last election I could already see that people’s trust in politics and politicians was on the wane. I was so concerned that I issued a ten point Pledge of Integrity as part of my manifesto. I was the first candidate to do so, and in the process didn’t exactly make myself popular with other candidates and MPs, some of whom bitterly complained that if I did it, they might have to do the same. It’s not often I am five years ahead of my time!
Trust in our political system is at an all time low, and it is now up to a new generation of politicians to prove that they are different. After the next election somewhere between one third and a half of MPs will be new to the House of Commons. This is a once in a generation opportunity to change the system. I don’t pretend that it will be done overnight or that suddenly people’s trust will be regained overnight. It will be a long process, but it is one which needs to start now. So this is my pledge if I am fortunate enough to be a candidate again…
- I will publish in detail, online, all expenses reclaimed in the pursuit of my parliamentary duties
- I will open up the unedited expenses claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year
- I will never claim for food, furniture or household goods
- I will always put the interests of my constituents above my own or my Party’s
- I will make my main home in the constituency, among the community I serve, at no cost to the taxpayer
- I will serve all my constituents, regardless of their politics
- I will never promise what I know I cannot deliver
- I will never knowingly claim credit for something when the credit is not mine
- I will act with honesty, integrity, openness and candour at all times
- I will tell people my real views, even when I know they will disagree with me