Appendix 4: Process for converting Criteria satisfied to Licence granting

Table of Contents

Introduction & Summary A Teaser Background Advocating Democracy Democracy’s vulnerabilities Overall defensive strategy The scale of the problem The legal status of politicians? The case for licensing politicians The case against licensing politicians The requirements for license-a statuary body to manage the process The requirements for license-the process The application and length of validity Eligibility to holding a licence Licences: non-renewal, suspensions and cancellations The requirements for license-the standards to be attained The requirements for license-the criteria Awarding or refusing the licence Political legal liability Educational program The Singapore experience Promotion and dissemination References Appendix 1 SWOT Analysis of UK democracy post 2024 UK general election Appendix 2. Governance and misconduct arrangements in certain professions Appendix 3: Table of evidence required for each criterion Appendix 4: Process for converting Criteria satisfied to Licence granting
Code Criteria Green Yellow Red Notes / Comments
A Has served in a role to help individuals in the public for no reward When fulfilled for the first application, it is then carried forward to subsequent cycles.
B Able to bring a skill, knowledge or insight of a particular aspect of society that may otherwise be under-represented
C Demonstrates a consistent ability to manage financial affairs with integrity
D Demonstrates a consistent ability to manage personal affairs with integrity
E Demonstrates a consistent ability to look after themselves and avoid reckless behaviours
F The person has a value system they adhere to
G Demonstrates a consistent adherence to truth and accuracy
H Is consistently free from legal threat
I Only ever accepts legal donations
J Declares an intention and maintains a minimum of 75% of the time is dedicated to parliamentary work
K Consistently demonstrates an ability to present both sides of an argument—but is able to state why one is more preferable
L Consistently demonstrates an understanding of a variety of facets of national society
M Consistently demonstrates and understands safeguarding
N Consistently demonstrates and understands Equality and Diversity.
N Consistently demonstrates and understands Democracy
P Enhanced mental well-being: good emotional intelligence, mental resilience, psychological balance and inner realism
Additional Criteria for a Level 2 Licence
Q Nothing ever to suggest the person is or was a security risk A single security risk in the past will be carried forward as a criterion that means a licence will never be issued.
R Is of an attitude that when required seeks and follows the consensus view of experts in the field Possible legal liability for failing to do so.
Totals

The three assessment types are not available for every criterion. The categories “Satisfied” and “Not Satisfied” are straightforward in their application. The “Amber” option is used selectively to indicate cases where a criterion is borderline between “Satisfied” and “Not Satisfied”, particularly where a degree of subjectivity exists or where it is unclear whether the available evidence gives rise to concern.

For Level 1 and Level 2 certificates, the presence of a single criterion assessed as “Not Satisfied” (red) is sufficient to prevent the issuance of a licence. A licence may only be issued where all criteria are at least satisfactory.

For a Level 1 Licence, a minimum of 15 criteria must be assessed as “Satisfied” (green). It is anticipated that one criterion may commonly remain unmet, namely criterion O: “Able to bring a skill, knowledge or insight of a particular aspect of society that may otherwise be under-represented.” However, where this criterion is met, it may be possible to regard criterion A—“Has served in a role to help individuals in the public for no reward”—as not strictly required, provided it is otherwise assessed as satisfactory or equivalent. In such cases, a degree of uncertainty or indeterminate assessment in respect of one additional criterion may be acceptable.

The requirements for a Level 2 Licence are identical to those for Level 1, except that there are two additional criteria to be satisfied.

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