Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

The Committee on Standards in Public Life commissioned Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute to conduct the Survey of Public Attitudes towards Standards of Conduct in Public Life, 2005-2006. This was part of a long-term study to establish a benchmark of public opinions about standards of conduct in public life, and is a follow-up to the Survey of Public Attitudes towards Conduct in Public Life, 2003-2004, conducted by BMRB Social Research (held at the UK Data Archive (UKDA) under SN 5073).

The aims of the original survey were:

• to establish what the public sees as acceptable and unacceptable behaviour on the part of elected and appointed holders of public office and the extent to which the Committee on Standards in Public Life's Seven Principles of Public Life reflect public priorities
• to assess how far the public believes that the behaviour of holders of public office is, for the most part, acceptable or unacceptable
• to assess how far the public believes that holders of public office are effectively held responsible and accountable for their conduct

There were some differences between the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 surveys; for example, the 2005-2006 sample covered the United Kingdom rather than Great Britain, and both the questionnaire design and title differed slightly. For further details, see documentation.

Further information about the research may be found on the Committee on Standards in Public Life web site.


Main Topics:

Topics covered include: respondents' opinions and expectations of the conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs), government ministers and other public officials; and respondents' demographic characteristics.