Licences: non-renewal, suspensions and cancellations

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

Awarding the licenses will be made after tests will be applied to the full list of criteria. The overall quality assessment standard to be tested for awarding a Level 1 licence is by asking the question ‘is the potential parliamentarian free from any concerns regarding their competency, suitability and integrity?’ Awarding Level 2 licences is similar. Achievement of the required standard is to be ascertained by asking the similar test question ‘is the potential holder of a position in government free from any concerns regarding their competency, suitability and integrity?’ The conclusion to be derived should be a fairly straightforward, ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

These tests are designed to be objective, so that awarding or refusing the licence by the RPPL can be as unbiassed as possible and if necessary, can be scrutinized by auditors. Reasons for refusal can be passed on to the unsuccessful applicant and if something is not in place or has not been achieved it should be clearly identifiable and if possible, readily solvable.

If the licenses are awarded appropriately at the onset, there will not need to be many subsequent suspensions.

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