Code of Conduct: Why We Need to Fix Parliament – and How to Do It

THE INSTANT TOP TWO SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER SHORTLISTED FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY BOOK AWARDS Longstanding Labour MP Chris Bryant tells the inside story of what went so wrong with Westminster – and how we might solve it. 'Takes a bulldozer to the crumbling edifice of parliamentary standards' JAMES O'BRIEN 'Absolutely riveting. I read, I blink, I gasp' REVEREND RICHARD COLES 'Vital. It should serve as a wake-up call to all of us' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL 'A lively, forensic, engrossing, sometimes entertaining, often disturbing and always unflinching interrogation of what's gone wrong with our legislature' ANDREW RAWNSLEY, OBSERVER The extraordinary turmoil we have seen in British politics in the last few years has set records. With the last government, we had the fastest turnover of ministers in our history and more MPs suspended from the House than ever. Rules were flouted repeatedly, sometimes in plain sight. The government seemed unable to escape the brush of sleaze. And just when we thought it was all going to calm down a bit, another scandal would break. Having spent years as Chair of the Committees on Standards and Privileges, Chris Bryant had a front-row seat for the battle over standards in our politics. Taking us inside the Pugin-carpeted corridors of Westminster, from the prime minister's office to the Strangers' Bar, he examines how parliament got into this mess and suggests how it might – at last – get its house in order.

About the Author :
Chris Bryant is an acclaimed historian of Parliament, an expert on parliamentary procedure and a Sunday Times-bestselling author. He has been the MP for the Rhondda since 2001 and is currently Minister of State in the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Between 2020 and 2023, he chaired the Committees on Standards and Privileges, which have guardianship of the Code of Conduct and adjudicate on individual cases. Bryant won the Spectator speech of the year award in 2021 for his calm exposition of the case against Owen Paterson, and helped draft the new House of Commons Code of Conduct. Code of Conduct debuted at number two on the Sunday Times bestseller list and The Glamour Boys won the 2020 Parliamentary Book Award.

Review :
So is this “the worst parliament in history”? An answer in the affirmative comes from the Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant. He delivers a lively, forensic, engrossing, sometimes entertaining, often disturbing and always unflinching interrogation of what’s gone wrong with our legislature. Sir Chris is the chairman of the committees on standards and privileges, and his previous works include a masterly biography of parliament. So he knows his way around its pinnacles and sewers. He also has firsthand experience of how grotesquely some fellow MPs can behave An important book that could lead to much-needed change . . . His analysis is spot-on . . . Bryant is empathic and likeable. So many MPs are career politicians and struggle to relate to the rest of us – or can’t be bothered to. Bryant has done lots of jobs and has lived an incredibly varied life . . . Bryant’s book does not simply expose the shortcomings of parliament; it’s a manifesto for reform. It lays our everything he thinks must change . . . The more he shows his humility, the more I’m convinced he’s the right person for the job Blisteringly topical . . . We still need ideas on how to clear up sleaze in general. And few placed are better placed to offer some than the man who’s written this book, Sir Chris Bryant . . . Bryant is admirably self-aware . . . And for another, he’s very readable. He has a fine fund of historic anecdotes: for example, the one about the 18th-century MP who, as punishment for forgery, was put in the pillory and pelted with “eggs, ordure and dead cats”. He has amusing stories from his own life in politics. And he can be dryly witty A manifesto for a better politics . . . Bryant’s account of what is rotten in the state of politics is neither lofty nor overmoralising, but remains gently steadfast in the belief that parliament in general and this one in particular has lost its way. Code of Conduct is an attempt to guide it back to something like the straight and narrow . . . Bryant brings with him more than two decades’ experience as a parliamentarian, a nonpartisan approach that helps him look beyond the failings of individuals to the system itself, and a raft of often small but practical suggestions for cleaning out the stables A clean-up manual and rollicking parliamentary history How rotten is our democracy? Chris Bryant knows better than most what the answer should be to this . . . The book is mostly concerned with how standards have disintegrated significantly since [2001], especially in the past three years of Conservative psychodrama . . . What Bryant suggests is actually based on what happens in parliament, rather than a caricature A powerful examination of parliamentary conduct and the eroding of standards . . . Engaging, thoughtful, powerful and funny A brave and important work book by a formidable parliamentarian. . . The proposals set out by Chris Bryant to clean up Parliament should be adopted by his party’s leader for its next manifesto . . . As chair of the Commons’ Committee of Standards and Privileges, Chris Bryant carries authority. And he has assembled his evidence with care and intellectual precision An author intimately acquainted with the workings of Westminster and its disciplinary system . . . Bryant’s position means the book is peppered with behind-the-scenes anecdotes – he is an engaging storyteller, both in person and on the page – and his conclusions carry considerable authority Nobody knows how parliament works – and how it doesn’t – better than Chris. It’s a delight watching him take a bulldozer to the crumbling edifice of parliamentary standards Code of Conduct is a vital part of the fightback against post-truth populism and the damage it has done to our democracy in recent years. Well written, personal, insightful but also brutally factual, it should serve as a wake-up call to all of us – politicians and public alike – that we need major reform of our politics and our political institutions The first time I've ever read a book about parliament which was unputdownable Code of Conduct is absolutely superb. Timely and brave – this is one of the most important books you will read this year A terrific read. From outmoded customs that strangle the chamber, to committees with no teeth, Chris Bryant not only provides insights into what’s wrong with parliament but also suggests sensible solutions that might one day lead to a democracy fit for purpose Absolutely riveting. I read, I blink, I gasp. Chris Bryant has not only chaired the Standards Committee during its busiest period on record but also has unrivalled knowledge of the history of Parliament. There is no better guide to the extraordinary dereliction of duty of some of his fellow parliamentarians in these unusual times, nor to how we might restore function to the system and trust in the institution Chris Bryant weaves a thoroughly entertaining yarn about what it’s like to work behind the scenes in the sausage factory of the British parliament. You may not agree with every word he says, but this book is a real eye-opener about the state of British politics today. Democracy is worth fighting for and Chris is doing precisely that Thoughtful, provocative and very timely, this is a book that needed to be written - and few are better qualified to do so than one of the most dedicated parliamentarians of our generation. Democracies get the representatives they deserve so we all have a responsibility to help raise the standing of our elected politicians. Code of Conduct will help us do so