Politics as a Profession: Electoral Law, Parliamentary Standards and Regulating Politicians

Examines the legal mechanisms used to regulate professional politicians' conduct. Reviews significant scandals concerning party funding, especially the failure to prosecute Wendy Alexander, and outlines key features of the ensuing Parliamentary investigations into the matter and the complexities they created. Discusses the subsequent reforms, the extent to which the principles of accountability, transparency, proportionality, targeting and consistency which are set out in the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 were present in the Alexander case, and whether further reforms are needed.