Amendment to Standing Orders – Code of Conduct (P.102/2025): second amendment

STATES OF JERSEY

AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDERS

– CODE OF CONDUCT (P.102/2025): SECOND AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 26th January 2026 by Deputy M.R. Scott of St. Brelade Earliest date for debate: 3rd February 2026

STATES GREFFE

2025  P.102 Amd.(2)

AMENDMENT TO STANDING ORDERS – CODE OF CONDUCT (P.102/2025): SECOND AMENDMENT

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After the words "Appendix 1 to the report accompanying the proposition" there should be inserted the words –

", except that within Appendix 1, Part 1, Paragraph 1 the words "assist elected Members in the discharge of their obligations to the States, their constituents and the public of Jersey" should be substituted with the words "set out the principles and rules governing Members' conduct to support good governance and public accountability".

DEPUTY M.R. SCOTT OF ST. BRELADE

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows –

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion to make the following  amendment  to  the  Standing  Orders  of  the  States  of  Jersey,  with immediate effect –

to replace the Code of Conduct for Elected Members contained in Schedule 3 to the Standing Orders of the States of Jersey with the revised Code of Conduct contained in Appendix 1 to the report accompanying the proposition, except that within Appendix 1, Part 1, Paragraph 1 the words "assist elected Members in the discharge of their obligations to the States, their constituents and the public of Jersey" should be substituted with the words "set out the principles and rules governing  Members'  conduct  to  support  good  governance  and  public accountability".

REPORT

I have brought this amendment to make the Code's stated purpose align with the stated purpose of parliamentary codes of conduct in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom.

Generally, a parliamentary code of conduct exists first and foremost to protect the public interest. Its core purpose is to uphold public trust in democratic institutions. It also benefits parliamentarians, but in a secondary, supportive way.

Without this amendment, Part 1, Paragraph 1 focuses on the Code of Conduct's value to States  Members  rather  than  its  value  to  the  public  as  a public  accountability mechanism.

By comparison, I refer to the Code of Conduct of the UK's House of Commons. This states the purpose of the Code of Conduct is to –

1. build a common understanding of what behaviour and attitudes the House wishes to promote or considers unacceptable;
2. ensure the openness and accountability essential to the proper functioning of a representative democracy;
3. protect and enhance the reputation of the House of Commons, in order that the public can have justifiable confidence in it;
4. ensure all Members can and do speak and act without fear or favour; and
5. give clarity for Members and the public about the rules of conduct which underpin these standards, which are expected of all Members in undertaking their duties.

The replacement wording I have proposed aims to respect the relative simplicity of the Code while publicly acknowledging its intention to serve the public as an accountability mechanism.

Financial and staffing implications

There are no anticipated additional financial or staffing implications.

Children's Rights Impact Assessment

I consider that this proposition (amendment) has no direct or indirect impact on children and that the duty to have due regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child does not arise. Accordingly, a Children's Rights Impact Assessment is not required under the Children (Convention Rights) (Jersey) Law 2022.

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P.102/2025 Amd.(2)

Appendix 1

As proposed by PPC – Purpose of the Code

1.  The purpose of the Code of Conduct (Code) is to assist elected Members in the discharge of their obligations to the States, their constituents and the public of Jersey.

As amended – Purpose of the Code

1.  The purpose of the Code of Conduct (Code) is to set out the principles and rules governing  Members'  conduct  to  support  good  governance  and  public accountability.