Anguilla House of Assembly agrees new Codes of Conduct for MPs
On Tuesday 24 June 2025, the Anguilla House of Assembly passed the House of Assembly (Procedure) (Amendment) Rules 2025 establishing a Code of Conduct and Register for Members of the House.
The reform came about following the 2020 CPA Benchmarks for Democratic Legislatures self-assessment and subsequent CPA Technical Assistance Programme.
See the Final Report on the CPA Benchmarks Assessment for the Anguilla House of Assembly.
This vitally important development again demonstrates the value of Commonwealth collaboration centred on good governance and democratic values.
On behalf of the CPA, Tom Duncan, Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Legislative Assembly, supported the Anguilla House of Assembly in drafting the Code of Conduct. He also provided advice throughout the process.
This latest outcome builds on the enormous success that Anguilla has made around parliamentary strengthening which includes updating Standing Orders, establishing an Administration Committee and increasing public engagement and outreach. The CPA has worked with the Anguilla House of Assembly as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2021.
The Speaker of the Anguilla House of Assembly, Hon. Tara Carter stated that:
“I congratulate the Members of the Anguilla House of Assembly on this significant milestone in parliamentary governance. Implementing a Code of Conduct demonstrates the Members’ commitment to adopting best practices and the highest standards that our Commonwealth Parliaments strive to attain.”
The CPA has long advocated for Parliaments and Legislatures to institute Codes of Conduct to enhance ethical standards around tackling corruption and improving behaviours. In 2024, the CPA worked with The Gambia National Assembly to develop their Code of Conduct for MPs.
In the same year, the CPA published its Standards for Codes of Conduct for MPs and the Parliamentary Workplace. As a result of extensive research and consultation with Parliaments across the world, the ‘Standards for Codes of Conduct for Members of Parliament and the Parliamentary Workplace’ provides guidance for Parliaments and Legislatures.
The CPA Standards address the need for continuous improvement and tackling the additional challenges of harassment, bullying and abuse in the workplace as well as the challenges of new technology and online harms.
