MPs take a close and critical look at how we are measuring up to our responsibilities – some key considerations!

• The Rules of Parliament are designed to ensure that parliamentary business is conducted effectively and in an orderly, fair, open and predictable way. 

• Rules should reflect the requirement that "all parties in the country...respect the will of the majority, while the majority, in turn, respects the validity and legitimacy of the smaller groups and their concerns.

• Rules are determined by the House of Parliament, and may be varied or suspended by resolution of the House. 

• Arrangements among Parliamentary Whips are invalid if contrary to the rules. Rules of Parliament also apply to the President & his cabinet. 

• The Speaker & other presiding officers are to implement Rules in the spirit of the Constitution. And every member is required to respect and abide by the rules.

• Rulings by Presiding Officers serve as precedents and become part of the established practice however presiding officers are not bound by precedent. 

• Parliamentary procedures also develop through practice & convention. Institutional memory is vitally important to the running of parliament and this resides within officials and MP's who have served for a significant number of years.

• Members of Parliament have freedom of speech but this freedom is subject to rules & orders imposed by the House itself - not to limit freedom of speech but to guide debate in the context of that freedom to allow reasoned & open consideration of controversial issues. 

• Lack of decorum & disrespect for rules can bring the institution into disrepute – undermining the public's confidence in parliamentary processes.

• There is a code of Ethics for Executive Authority (Speaker) and Ministers in addition to the Parliamentary Code of Conduct. Office bearers must perform official functions "in a way that will bear the closest public scrutiny, an obligation that is not discharged by simply acting within the law" and "in accordance with the highest ethical standards. The Public Protector must investigate an alleged breach.

MPs are in the process of drafting a revised code of conduct. We as Members of Parliament have an obligation to behave in a way the public recognises as 'integrity' - it is not enough to simply act within the law - which of course we must!