Parliamentary accountability to the public: the role of professional development programmes for MPs

The contradiction between public concerns over reports of the behaviour and performance of parliamentarians and parliaments and the standards which the public expects of its democratic institutions and representatives raises a key accountability issue: what steps are appropriate to be taken by parliaments to address such public concerns? The paper examines the particular issue of the exercise of ethical judgments by parliamentarians. It reviews the experience of parliaments and other public institutions in addressing ethical standards of behaviour, including through training, institutions such as parliamentary standards commissioners. Particular attention is given to appropriate sources of professional development in ethical behaviour.