Liberal Democrats demand emergency measures to “clear out the rot” in British government

9 Feb 2026

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson, Lisa Smart, has challenged Starmer ally and minister, Darren Jones, in the Chamber today - demanding new criminal sanctions to tackle corruption in Britain's political establishment.

The Liberal Democrats have urged the government to commit to criminal penalties for ministers and public appointees who fail to whistleblow on wrongdoing and to introduce a new ban on political donations from associates of foreign regimes.

Lisa Smart also pressed Jones for an end to “government by WhatsApp” with a requirement that all instant messaging about official business be regularly published, and for the government to implement legislation that punishes those who breach the ministerial code.

The Liberal Democrats will look to amend the upcoming Election Bill to push for much-needed reforms, warning that the government was moving slowly and “is obsessed with endless consultation and review.”

Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson, Lisa Smart MP, said:

“The drumbeat of scandals from- from partygate to Nathan Gill’s treachery to Mandelson- has shattered trust in our politics. After years of sleaze from successive governments, including lawbreaking and disgraceful appointments, it is obvious that the current system is broken.

“Now is the time for action. This government is obsessed with endless consultation and review. The people who elected us here want to see swift action and results - talk of ‘considerations’ and 'looking closely' at things won't wash. At all.

“We need to clear out the rot. Liberal Democrats will not rest until corrupt and criminal behaviour is stamped out and the muck cleared out of our democracy.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Clip of Lisa Smart in the Chamber here.

The suggested reforms include:

Banning Foreign Influence: Prohibiting anyone who has served a current foreign administration from donating to UK political parties, think tanks, or campaign groups.
Enshrining the Ministerial Code in Law: Moving the Code from a "gentleman’s agreement" to a legally binding framework. This would make breaches punishable by default, rather than at the discretion of the Prime Minister.
Protecting Whistleblowers: Establishing a new Office of the Whistleblower with enhanced legal protections. Ministers would face criminal sanctions for failing to report wrongdoing.
Ending "Government by WhatsApp": Requiring all official business conducted via instant message to be part of the departmental record and mandating the publication of all lobbying, including texts, calls, and emails, in quarterly transparency releases.