Does your future MP have clean hands?
Find out if your Parliamentary candidate is listed in Companies House. Vote for someone who will protect the public interest, not their own.
Why is this important?
It’s important that we know the business interests of the people we are voting for.
If they have shares or roles in a company or charity, it may show where their personal and financial interests lie.
This way you can get a clearer idea of whether they will act in the public interest.
This helps make sure that everyone plays by the same rules and our democracy stays strong and vibrant. So, let’s keep things open and honest — it’s a win-win for everyone!
What this won’t tell you
It will tell you if your MP has registered interests in a company or charity.
It won’t tell you if they have interests in a trust or offshore company. This is important, because they may have undeclared assets held in other jurisdictions that they may have earned through unlawful activities.
It won’t tell you about other forms of untransparent ownership, including using another person as a front for what is really their company.
What to look out for
Does more than one business entity come up under your candidate’s name? Not sure which is the right one? Check on Wikipedia to find out the year your candidate was born. This may genuinely be two people, or it may be a mistake or a deliberate attempt to obscure ownership.
Look under the tab “Persons of Significant Control” tab. Does it lead you to a complicated maze of companies owned by other companies, including overseas entities? This may indicate tax avoidance. Tax avoidance is legal, but it isn’t good for the public purse.
Something looks dodgy?
People are responsible for making sure the information in Companies House is correct and up to date because it promotes transparency, trust, and accountability.
Accurate information helps investors, customers, and other stakeholders make informed decisions. It also ensures compliance with legal requirements and helps prevent fraud and other illegal activities.
Does your candidate have #CleanHands? If you’re not sure, consider voting for someone who does.
Let’s get #CleanHands2024 trending and clean up politics.
What interests does your MP have?
Sadly though, you have to search year by year. Not very transparent!
Don’t know who your candidates are?
Find out who you can vote for in your area
Who else do you need to know about?
Judges. Social workers. All kinds of public officials.
Conflict of interest has become all too common in public life.
Check out the 7 Nolan Principles of Public Life.
Do you know a public official who has broken these principles?
Share your story on social media and tag it #CleanHands2024.
We must bring an end to abuse of power at the expense of the public. Let’s call for full accountability and #CleanHands.