MPs Should Declare Membership of Closed Societies

Closed membership societies are groups that are not open to members simply by paying a membership fee; for example, groups where new members can only join after receiving an invitation from existing members. These groups include religious associations such as Opus Dei and the Catenians, as well as the Freemasons, gentleman’s clubs, and some sports clubs like the Marylebone Cricket Club. I am campaigning to add membership of a closed organisation to the register of Members’ interests, so that MPs will have to make public whether or not they belong to one of these organisations, because I believe that it is important that the public can judge MPs’ behaviour based on all the facts. Welsh Assembly Members have to declare membership of these organisations, and I think that Members of the UK Parliament in Westminster ought to be held accountable to the same standards as Members of the devolved administrations.

This measure is not intended to single out any particular group, but rather to increase public confidence in politicians by demonstrating that MPs are not acting with a hidden agenda. I believe that in these times of growing mistrust of politicians there is a need to clearly demonstrate that MPs are acting in the interests of their constituents without suspicion of membership of a closed organisation affecting their actions. Although I do not believe that membership of closed organisations is causing widespread problems in Parliament, I consider that it is better to dispel any suspicion that MPs are being influenced by interests unknown to their constituents. I would like the public to be able to know who their elected representative is connected to by membership of a closed society to be able to fairly judge the behaviour of each MP.

Since 1999, following an investigation and report into Freemasonry in the police and judiciary by the Home Affairs Select Committee, new recruits to the police, probation and Crown Prosecution services, and the judiciary have had to register membership of closed organisations, and the record has been made available to the public. This measure was taken in an effort to restore public confidence and demonstrate that suspicions about the motives and actions of the people responsible for enforcing the law are unfounded. I consider that politicians should be subject to the same level of scrutiny as the police and judiciary because politicians are responsible for making the law. The register of members of closed organisations in the police and judiciary was introduced as a test case for expanding registration to all people working in public services. However, since 1999 no additional groups have been asked to register their memberships, and I think that seven years on it is time that this scheme was properly enacted to include all people in public service.

Associated links

Click here to read my Early Day Motion on closed membership societies ».
 

Publish date: 8th May 2006
Modified: 8th May 2006

May Campaigns.
Latest Campaigns.