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Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

My hon. Friend is right, and that is why I have some sympathy with the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), who moved a new clause that would abolish the Standards Board. I certainly do not think that we should go that far—there must be a minimum degree of standards—but there is the question of whether what is proposed in the Bill is discriminatory and contrary to article 14. For some reason, we have singled out local government councillors for a regime that is much more rigorous than any that applies to anyone else in public life, including ourselves. After last Friday’s debate, we need to be a little more aware of the fact that we should treat people fairly and equally. I hope that the Minister will take my Committee’s concerns on board. We are dealing with significant issues of human rights, and it could be argued that the Standards Board has itself been brought into disrepute by some of the cases that it has taken up. If we are serious about maintaining standards in public life, and particularly in local government, we have to be realistic about what we do and do not expect from our councillors.