Our letter to the Cabinet Office: Ethics and Integrity Commission and political finance reforms

Dear Chancellor,

We are writing to you as Chairs of the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition (UKACC), which brings together the UK’s leading organisations working on anti-corruption, illicit finance and public integrity. The Coalition would like to welcome you to your new role.

Successive corruption scandals in Westminster and the perceived capture of politicians by powerful vested interests have severely damaged confidence in our democracy. The Labour Party has engaged with members of our Coalition over the last few years in the development of its own commitments for a new government - particularly regarding the initiative for the Ethics and Integrity Commission and on political finance reforms. We commend Labour’s commitment to set the highest standards in public life, restore public trust in politics, and strengthen the rules around donations.

To deliver on those ambitions and signal to the public that this agenda will be underpinned by robust action, within the first few months, UKACC recommends that the new government:

1. Clarifies the role and responsibilities of the proposed Ethics and Integrity Commission and ensures that a politically neutral individual is appointed to lead it - such as a former judge - through a process that guarantees a high level of independence from government.

2. Bolsters the independence and powers of ACOBA, the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests and Public Appointments Commissioner - including by putting them on a statutory footing - to ensure Ministers' conduct and the revolving door are effectively policed and to ensure probity in public appointments.

3. Work across government to bring forward an Elections Bill at the earliest opportunity to implement key reforms recommended by regulators, parliamentarians, civil society, and academia, including restoring the independence and strengthening the powers of the Electoral Commission. The integrity of our democratic processes is contingent on financial transparency in politics.

4. Work closely with the new Modernisation Committee in the House of Commons to drive up standards and prevent rogue conduct in Parliament, such as MPs’ second jobs and paid lobbying work.

5. Collaborate with the Joint Anti-Corruption Unit in the Home Office and civil society to insert bold commitments on political integrity matters - such as reforms to the lobbying framework, ethics regulation, procurement, and upgrading domestic corruption law - into the next Anti-Corruption Strategy, and engage on these issues through the Open Government Partnership.

As a coalition of the UK’s leading anti-corruption and pro-integrity organisations, we are keen to support you in these endeavours and would be delighted to discuss the issues outlined in this letter in more detail.

Yours sincerely,

Gavin Hayman - Co-Chair of UK Anti-Corruption Coalition and Exec. Director, Open Contracting Partnership

Thom Townsend - Co-Chair of UK Anti-Corruption Coalition and Exec. Director, Open Ownership