Demo MPs to get new road map and direction on policies

Democratic Party MPs will soon have guidelines to follow regarding a range of government policies and procedures party President Sean Willis revealed on Friday morning.
Willis told the Times the guidelines will also apply to Party executive and officials.
He said the news was not received favourably by all MPs at first but the move has been adopted.
Willis said the executive met with the Caucus on Wednesday to outline what was considered to be the new executive’s objectives.
A main objective is to introduce policies and guidelines which will give MPs and party officials a road map and direction to follow in regard to a range of matters including for example job appointments.
Next week a policy committee made up with Willis, Tuara and one other will meet with the Office of the Prime Minister to get their views on present policy. They will also meet with the Public service Commissioner as regards problems with government officials especially MPs. At the end of next week the committee hopes to meet with Acting Financial Secretary Kevin Carr to hear what the intentions (if any) are with policies currently in place.
Willis said the intention is to have clear guidelines in place to guide MPs on the most appropriate practices, procedures and steps to follow but not to impose any Code of Ethics.
A Code of Ethics requires the input and support of all MPs. However, the party needed to ensure that MPs and government officials interact without problems and that the best people are selected for positions.
The public wants change from past practices said Willis and the development of the guidelines is a positive step towards restoring MPs credibility which over the years had deteriorated because of questionable practices and adoption of ad-hoc policies and procedures.
Through the new guidelines the party will bring more discipline and accountability to MP’s actions.

Headlines : Times 290 02 March 2009
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