Ministerial Code
• A constitutional convention ("Practices related to the execution of their powers by the Crown, the
administration, Parliament, and the court which are not enforceable by law but which are generally
observed as if they were...
Obeying norms is often done to make sure that the government's machinery runs smoothly. Since
conventions are not governed by legislation, they can be formally changed to reflect evolving
conditions. Oxford Legal Dictionary), which is not law and therefore not legally binding.
• On the Prime Minister's proposal, the Crown may appoint a person to a ministerial office.
• The current administration makes the code decisions.
• Section 1.4 states, "The Code advises Ministers on how to conduct themselves and organise their
activities in order to respect these standards."
"Ministers only hold office for as long as they continue to have the Prime Minister's support," states
Section 1.5. He is the final arbiter of what ministerial norms of conduct should be and what should
happen if they are broken.
• Obligations to uphold The Seven Principles of Public Life:
• Selflessness – Public office holders should only act in the public interest.
• Integrity - Others who hold public office must refrain from putting themselves in any kind of
responsibility to those who could try to improperly influence their job. They should refrain from
acting or making decisions that will benefit themselves, their family, or their friends materially. Any
interests and connections must be disclosed and resolved.
• Objectivity - People in public office must behave and make judgements in a fair and objective
manner based on the best available facts, without prejudice or bias.
• Accountability - Public office holders are responsible for their choices and deeds, and they must
subject to whatever scrutiny is required to make sure of this.
• Transparency - Public office holders should behave and make decisions in a transparent and open
way. The public should not be kept in the dark about anything unless there are legitimate legal
justifications for doing so.
• Honesty - Those in positions of authority should tell the truth.
• Leadership - People in positions of power should display these values in their own actions. They
should vigorously uphold the values, actively promote them, and be prepared to call out
inappropriate behaviour whenever it arises. reasons why the ministerial code shouldn't be
enforceable by law
• Is flexible enough to swiftly adapt to changes and meet current expectations; examples
• Unless there are explicit and legal restrictions, allows freshly elected governments to rewrite the
code swiftly to conform to their values and methods of conducting business
• Enables recently elected governments to swiftly alter the code to conform to their values and
methods of operation
• A constitutional convention ("Practices related to the execution of their powers by the Crown, the
administration, Parliament, and the court which are not enforceable by law but which are generally
observed as if they were...
Obeying norms is often done to make sure that the government's machinery runs smoothly. Since
conventions are not governed by legislation, they can be formally changed to reflect evolving
conditions. Oxford Legal Dictionary), which is not law and therefore not legally binding.
• On the Prime Minister's proposal, the Crown may appoint a person to a ministerial office.
• The current administration makes the code decisions.
• Section 1.4 states, "The Code advises Ministers on how to conduct themselves and organise their
activities in order to respect these standards."
"Ministers only hold office for as long as they continue to have the Prime Minister's support," states
Section 1.5. He is the final arbiter of what ministerial norms of conduct should be and what should
happen if they are broken.
• Obligations to uphold The Seven Principles of Public Life:
• Selflessness – Public office holders should only act in the public interest.
• Integrity - Others who hold public office must refrain from putting themselves in any kind of
responsibility to those who could try to improperly influence their job. They should refrain from
acting or making decisions that will benefit themselves, their family, or their friends materially. Any
interests and connections must be disclosed and resolved.
• Objectivity - People in public office must behave and make judgements in a fair and objective
manner based on the best available facts, without prejudice or bias.
• Accountability - Public office holders are responsible for their choices and deeds, and they must
subject to whatever scrutiny is required to make sure of this.
• Transparency - Public office holders should behave and make decisions in a transparent and open
way. The public should not be kept in the dark about anything unless there are legitimate legal
justifications for doing so.
• Honesty - Those in positions of authority should tell the truth.
• Leadership - People in positions of power should display these values in their own actions. They
should vigorously uphold the values, actively promote them, and be prepared to call out
inappropriate behaviour whenever it arises. reasons why the ministerial code shouldn't be
enforceable by law
• Is flexible enough to swiftly adapt to changes and meet current expectations; examples
• Unless there are explicit and legal restrictions, allows freshly elected governments to rewrite the
code swiftly to conform to their values and methods of conducting business
• Enables recently elected governments to swiftly alter the code to conform to their values and
methods of operation
