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Guidance to candidates standing at the parliamentary general election on publishing declarations of interests, was published yesterday.

The guidance is being published in response to a recommendation made in the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s report on MPs’ expenses and allowances. It invites candidates to publish, at nomination, a declaration of interests including any paid employment held.

Justice Minister Michael Wills said:

‘I welcome the publication of this guidance and encourage candidates, at nomination, to declare their interests. Declarations of interests will increase the transparency of the electoral process by allowing the public to find out more about candidates standing at the forthcoming general election.’

The declaration is largely based on categories of interest that MPs are required to declare in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests if elected. As the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s report recommended, the guidance is advisory.

All major political parties accepted the recommendations contained in the Report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly.

Notes to editors

1. Declarations of interests: guidance for parliamentary election candidates
2. Recommendation 37 of the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s report on MPs’ expenses and allowances says that: ‘All candidates at parliamentary elections should publish, at nomination, a register of interests including the existence of other paid jobs and whether they intend to continue to hold them, if elected. The Ministry of Justice should issue guidance on this in time for the next general election.’
3. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Justice press office on 020 3334 3536.