In my earlier work for Brexit, I used the eleven ‘intermediate needs’ identified by professors Doyle and Gough [Doyal, L. and Gough, I. ‘A Theory of Human Need’]. However, there isn’t a universally agreed-upon, standardised hierarchy of moral and ethical attributes specifically tailored for politicians, so I propose the Royd Hierarchy of Moral and Ethical attributes for politicians, based on the general acceptance of the main belief systems prevalent in the UK.

The National census figures from 2021 indicate 46.2% of the population in England and Wales are Christian. Of the remaining population, 6.5% identify as Muslim; 1.7% as Hindu; 0.9% as Sikh; 0.5% as Jewish; and 0.5% as Buddhist.

Scotland indicated that the Church of Scotland had dropped to 32.4%, other Christians accounted for 28.8%.  1.4% of people said they were Muslim, whilst Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs made up 0.7% of the population.

The Northern Ireland Census indicated that 79% of the population identified as Christian, with the remaining 19% identifying as no religion or did not answer.

Whilst deontological principles are prominent, there is room for consequentialist considerations within the ethics of these faiths.

The official religion in the UK is Christianity. However, King Charles III has met 30 faith leaders to confirm his commitment to the Christian faith and his duty to protect the space for faith itself.

Consequently, the nation’s hierarchy primarily reflects Christian principles. Accordingly, ‘The Royd Hierarchy of Moral and Ethical attributes for politicians reflects this, but importantly, it also aligns with the ethical teachings of other Abrahamic religions, such as Judaism and Islam, and it recognises the ethical teachings of Hinduism and Sikhism, as reflected in the 2021 National Census.

Additionally, I include the views of many individuals I have known who do not adhere to any particular faith but still maintain high ethical standards in their personal lives and businesses. I believe these represent universal moral and ethical values, although the emphasis on specific attributes may vary depending on the context and culture.

However, in the context of a politician’s moral and ethical values, the percentage allocation is reasonable and helpful when applied with flexibility and adaptability, as politicians often face complex situations where rigid adherence to a fixed hierarchy might not always be feasible.

The Royd Hierarchy of Moral and Ethical attributes for politicians have the following attributes as a percentage of the whole which is based on the ‘Respect for Rule of Law’, as follows.

• 3%: Integrity: Ensures consistency with ethical principles
• Humility 5%: Recognizing one’s limitations and being open to feedback and improvement is crucial for ethical leadership.
• Empathy 7%: Understanding and considering the needs and concerns of the diverse population is essential for effective governance.
• Courage 9%: Necessary to uphold values in the face of opposition or pressure.
• Fairness and Justice 11%: Policies and actions should be fair and just, avoiding discrimination and favouritism.
• Transparency: 13%: Openness and clarity in communication and decision-making processes contribute to public trust.
• Accountability 15%: Politicians should be answerable for their actions and decisions, both to the public and to relevant institutions.
• Public Interest: 17%: Decisions and actions should prioritise the well-being of the public rather than personal or special interests.
• Respect for Rule of Law: 20%: Politicians should uphold and respect the legal system and ensure that they are not above the law.

The Royd Hierarchy of Moral and Ethical attributes for politicians integrates both deontological (lawful) and consequentialist (positive outcomes) principles, to combine moral truths with actions that lead to the well-being and benefit of the whole United Kingdom.