The legislature plays a key role in promoting good governance and curbing corruption and poor administration in all sectors of society. Citizens expect parliamentarians to maintain a high moral standard in their professional and private lives. They expect parliamentarians to serve out of conviction and a commitment to the public good, rather than for aspirations of personal power and the pursuit of private profit. In turn, they are conferred the legitimate authority to take decisions that determine the fortunes of both the state and its citizens.

Failure by parliamentarians to live up to these expectations can seriously undermine not only the trust citizens have in the ability of their elected leaders to act in the public interest, but also in the legitimacy of the state and its institutions. At best, this leads to cynicism and apathy on the part of citizens. At worst, it leads to a questioning of the entire political system. It is crucial therefore, that elected members of government act, and are seen to act, in an ethical manner.

Mechanisms are needed that tell parliamentarians in clear terms what is expected of them and what constitutes a violation of public ethics. Such mechanisms, for instance codes of conduct, need to be enforced and well publicised so that they serve to improve the accountability of Members of Parliament (MPs) to parliament and to the general public.

Background paper prepared by TI for a seminar organised by the Parliamentarians for Global Action in June 2004. Please click here to download the full version of the background paper in French, Russian and Spanish.

TI Working Paper-Conflict of Interest: Legislators, Ministers and Public Officials
written by Gerard Carney. This study has two main objectives. Firstly, to assist legislators, ministers and public officials to identify a conflict of interest when it poses an ethical dilemma in the performance of their official duties and responsibilities; and secondly to suggest various mechanisms either to prevent such a conflict of interest arising, or to resolve the conflict when it does arise.