Freemasons and the Code of Conduct
What is a Freemason?
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular, fraternal and charitable societies. The United Grand Lodge of England administers Lodges of Freemasons in England and Wales. When freemasons pay their annual subscription fee to their respective Lodges, part of the fee goes automatically to the Freemasons' Grand Charity. The United Grand Lodge distributes charitable grants to individuals and groups through the Grand Charity.
Why do I need to declare my membership?
Personal and prejudicial interests are covered by paragraphs 8-13 of the Code of Conduct.
You have a personal interest in any business of your authority where either it relates to or is likely to affect any body directed to charitable purposes.
Overall, freemasons are not singled out by the Code. The Code applies to membership of any body that is directed to charitable purposes.
Under paragraph 8(1)(a) (ii) (bb) of the Code, freemasons who are members of the Grand Charity must register membership of the Grand Charity in their register of members' interests and, where appropriate, declare their membership of the Grand Charity as a personal or prejudicial interest before or during council meetings. If an individual lodge is one which has charitable status or could be described as a body directed towards charitable purposes, then membership of that lodge would also need to be registered.
Councillors who are freemasons will also need to declare membership of their lodge as a personal interest in a matter to be discussed if that matter would affect the member to a greater extent than the majority of other people in the area affected by the decision. The member will also need to consider whether that interest is prejudicial. For example, if the councillor’s own lodge was making a planning application it would be necessary to declare a personal and prejudicial interest when that matter is considered.
The recent government decision that freemasons will no longer need to declare their membership when applying for positions on the judiciary does not affect the need to register membership as an interest under the Code.
Find out more
- Please read our Code of Conduct: Guidance for members 2007
- Call our enquiries line on 0845 078 8181
- Email us at enquiries@standardsforengland.gov.uk
Published on 4th January 2010.
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