Labor vows to ‘turn the page on Conservative sleaze’ as he details plans for a new ethics watchdog – News Block

Proposals for the new watchdog were first announced by the party in 2021 and include a commitment to remove Whitehall’s existing revolving door watchdog, the Business Appointments Advisory Committee (Acoba), and introduce a more solid.

Acoba was responsible for reviewing Sir Keir Starmer’s job offer to former civil servant Sue Gray, and would be replaced by an Ethics and Integrity Commission, Labor said.

Ms Rayner will later say: “We will clean up the policy, so that by the end of our first term people not only feel better, but can see that the policy works for them, not Westminster.

“Our democracy cannot depend on gentlemen’s agreements: it needs strong and independent protection. Politics has to work for the people, not for the politicians. We are here to serve the public, not ourselves.”

The commission would have the power to launch investigations into ministers, determine violations and demand sanctions from former ministers who break the rules. It is part of an attempt by Labor to close the “revolving door” between public office and the lucrative roles for the companies they used to regulate.

Former ministers would be banned from lobbying, consulting or any paid work related to their former roles for at least five years under plans if Labor seizes number 10.

It comes after a series of standards disputes have rocked Rishi Sunak’s government in recent months, with ministers Gavin Williamson, Nadhim Zahawi and Dominic Raab leaving cabinet over allegations of misconduct.

Sunak appointed Sir Laurie Magnus as his independent adviser, after the position sat vacant for many months under Liz Truss and Boris Johnson, who oversaw the investigation that led to Zahawi’s departure.

Ms Rayner will commit Labor to replace the adviser to “end the current situation where the Prime Minister is the judge and jury in all cases of ministerial misconduct.”