Proposed changes to States Members Code of Conduct
States Assembly
2 May 2025
The Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC) has lodged a revised Code of Conduct for debate next month.It contains revised Rules on Members behaviours and follows a consultation period last year during which Members were asked to identify any changes whey would wish to make to their ‘Code’ which is the set of rules against which their behaviours are judged by the Commissioner for Standards whenever she receives a complaint.
“These rules are fundamental to building trust and respect in our Assembly” said Chair of PPC Connétable Karen Shenton Stone. “We know from the Jersey Opinions and Lifestyle Survey Report published in 2024 that the States Assembly is the least trusted institution in the Island. Having an acknowledged set of rules by which we all abide hopefully demonstrates to the public that States Members are accountable, not just at election time.
The Committee has looked at the way other jurisdictions have presented their Codes and adopted a simpler rules-based format. There are a number of new rules, including how Members should act when involved in a complaint to the Commissioner for Standards, their engagement on social media and definitions of what constitutes unwanted behaviour, harassment, bullying or discrimination. There are also revised rules on the declaration of interests to ensure greater transparency.
For the first time, guidance notes have also been produced which accompany the new Code and provide greater clarity and explanation of the Rules for Members, staff and the public.
The proposition can be found here.
