Codify rules for MPs' attendance in Parliament & their constituency in statute

Codify in statute clear and binding obligations for MPs on time spent in their constituency and in Parliament. We think that leaving it to convention unfortunately allows a minority to abuse the system.

MPs are well paid from the public purse to represent the people, and it is important to ensure that they fulfil their responsibilities once elected. We find current arrangements unpalatable and want statutory rules to be introduced with stronger mechanisms to hold them to account if they fail to carry out their duties.

Under the UK’s constitutional framework, it is ultimately for voters to judge whether their elected representative is fulfilling their duties effectively.

Members of Parliament are not employees; they are independently elected office holders, chosen by their constituents to represent them in the House of Commons. As they do not have an employer-employee relationship with either the government or parliamentary authorities, there is no formal mechanism, employment contract or statute that dictates their working hours or daily location.

The role of an MP requires considerable flexibility to balance varied responsibilities. A lack of physical presence in the House of Commons Chamber does not mean an MP is not working; they may be scrutinising policy or legislation in committee, meeting with ministers on behalf of constituents, or managing local casework. Mandating a strict statutory split between Westminster and constituency time would restrict an MP's ability to respond dynamically to local or national priorities.

Whilst general daily attendance is not legally mandated, there are already robust mechanisms in place to ensure MPs remain accountable to the public and to Parliament:

● The Code of Conduct: All MPs must adhere to the Commons Code of Conduct, which is supervised by the independent Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and the Commons Committee on Standards. The Code is underpinned by the Seven Principles of Public Life (the Nolan Principles), which call on all office holders, including MPs, to act with integrity and openness.

● The political party system: Political parties manage attendance for key parliamentary business, such as votes (divisions) and debates, through their respective whips.

● Select committee attendance: Select committees publish data on the attendance records of their members. In addition, in 2010 the House of Commons introduced rules enabling the removal of an MP from a select committee if they fail to attend at least 60% of its formal meetings during a session.

● The Recall of MPs Act 2015: The recall process allows constituents to sign a petition to trigger a by-election and remove their MP from office if specific triggers are met, such as imprisonment following a criminal conviction, suspension from the House of the requisite length, or false expenses claims.

In addition, the public may scrutinise an MP's activity by examining minutes of committee meetings and records of debates or divisions, all of which are routinely published on the Parliament website.

In recognition of the fact that MPs should be focusing on their parliamentary duties and representing their constituents, the government has also committed to banning second jobs for MPs, outside of very limited exceptions such as for maintaining a professional qualification. The House of Commons’ Committee on Standards is currently examining this matter.

Ultimately, the government believes that the most effective and democratic mechanism for holding MPs to account is the electoral process itself. Every general election provides constituents with the direct opportunity to scrutinise their MP’s track record, visibility and commitment to their area. Voters can, and sometimes do, choose to remove MPs whom they feel have failed to adequately engage with either their parliamentary or constituency responsibilities.

By keeping this responsibility with the electorate rather than codified in law, the UK preserves the essential principle that MPs answer directly to the people they represent.

Office of the Leader of the House of Commons