Government standards call

Unite delegate Caroline Ball gave a stirring speech on a debate on government standards at the TUC Congress on Sunday (September 7), as she called on public officials to be held to higher standards.

The motion she spoke in support of marked the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. It highlighted the so-called ?Nolan Principles?, which include honesty, integrity, objectivity, accountability, selflessness, openness and leadership.

Caroline said she spoke as ?one of the last surviving union-supported councillors on Northumberland County Council following the election in May this year?.

She noted that the election of 23 Reform councillors has put the issue of standards into ?sharp focus?.

?With that crowd you can forget the seven Nolan principles of public life,? she said. ?You?re more likely to get the seven deadly sins.?

Caroline told Congress that Nigel Farage, upon Reform taking over Durham Council, told council workers there, employed in climate change and diversity, that they should look for another job.

?Immediately attacking council workers and pushing divisive rhetoric falls far below the most basic standards we deserve,? she said.

Caroline said she was part of a group of councillors who are now calling for all councillors to be DBS checked, and for the names of those who refuse to be published.

?We have robust minimum standards in employment with real life consequences, yet we see those in the highest offices make questionable decisions and have views that would get most people facing a least a disciplinary in the workplace,? she noted. ?A basic starting point is surely ensuring all councillors and those in public office are DBS checked before they take up post??

It is, she noted, after all, ?a basic background check that many public sector workers already comply with?.

Caroline emphasised that as trade unionists, we ?hold ourselves to high standards and it is right that we expect the same of any public official we support?.

?How can government at all levels restore trust if ethics and integrity are considered optional??

She slammed previous governments for falling well short of the standards the public expects ? from partying during the pandemic to handing public contracts to their pals.

Concluding, Caroline called for action. The motion was carried.

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas