The prime minister has strengthened the rules on government conduct but too many holes remain

Launching his government’s new ministerial code this week, the prime minister said that restoring trust in politics is “the great test of our era”. That is a bold claim in times of climate crisis, but it contains much truth. Without trust in government, democratic bonds shrivel and demagogues prosper – a lesson for our times. But in truth, Sir Keir Starmer seems to have taken a disturbingly easygoing approach to doing enough about it.

It has in fact taken him 124 days in office to publish his version of the rules on ministerial behaviour. During that time, the government’s – and Sir Keir’s – judgment about the acceptance of gifts from donors went badly missing. Those episodes did serious – and perhaps lasting – reputational damage to the government. It was all eminently avoidable. Publication of the code now feels like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.

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