6 Looking ahead
88. When I took up my post, I inherited a clear
and robust standards framework. It is considered to be among the
most transparent parliamentary standards systems in the world.
I hope to build on the hard work of my predecessor in the years
to come.
89. I arrived at the same time as the three new
lay members of the Committee on Standards. Their appointment is
a sign of the House's ongoing commitment to developing and strengthening
its standards system and its openness to an external perspective
on the standards framework and the inquiries undertaken. I hope
that their presence on the Committee will serve to increase the
public's confidence in the House's disciplinary processes by increasing
the expectation of openness and transparency.
90. I took up my post a month after the Committee
on Standards and Privileges had published its proposals for a
revised Guide to the Rules. I had anticipated that the House would
consider the Committee's recommendations in the early weeks of
my tenure and looked forward to the opportunity to work with Members
to implement the new system. However, the House reached the end
of the parliamentary session without having had an opportunity
to debate these valuable proposals. I believe that the implementation
of the revised rules would provide a constructive and supportive
focus for my work in the coming year, and I hope that the House
will soon express its view.
91. I look forward to serving the Committee and
the House in the coming year and to helping to ensure that the
House has a standards system in which the public, and Members
themselves, can have confidence. By ensuring that such a system
is in place the House will assist in regaining public confidence
and trust in the Members elected to represent their constituents
and in democracy itself.
Kathryn Hudson 3
July 2013
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards
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