The Hillsborough Law, hailed as a significant measure by democracy campaigners, aims to introduce a new standalone offence for senior ministers, including the Prime Minister, that criminalizes the act of misleading the public. This legislation will specifically target heads of government departments and senior public officials, with the potential punishment being up to two years in prison if they are found guilty of intentionally giving false information to the public in a manner deemed 'seriously improper'.

Despite the positive reception from advocacy groups, the bill currently exempts backbench MPs, which has drawn criticism. Many backbench Members of Parliament believe that they should also be held accountable under this new law, arguing that transparency and honesty should apply across the board in public office. Labour MP Neil Dunca and others have called for amendments to ensure all elected officials are included in the accountability framework.

As the law seeks to strengthen public trust in government, its implementation could lead to profound changes in how politicians communicate with the public. By establishing a legal consequence for dishonesty, the Hillsborough Law may encourage a culture of greater responsibility among politicians. However, the debate surrounding the exemption for backbench MPs indicates ongoing contention about how best to achieve integrity and accountability in politics.