How do you “ban second jobs” for MPs when being a minister is a “second job” on top of being an MP.
So any crackdown would be about what forms of extracurricular work permitted
Is anything funded by government/state OK? Anything above a certain £? Certain industries? Books?
So any crackdown would be about what forms of extracurricular work permitted
Is anything funded by government/state OK? Anything above a certain £? Certain industries? Books?
You are quickly into very tricky areas - once you’re arguing about definitions of professions and activities, the chances of reform actually happening diminish quickly
The danger is that you get into MPs trying to define what “good” outside jobs are (part time helping as an NHS first responder) and “bad” outside jobs (receiving money from a PR agency)
But people’s view of what is morally acceptable differs and shifts over time
But people’s view of what is morally acceptable differs and shifts over time
This 👆🏻isn’t a view on whether MPs should or shouldn’t have second jobs or money from outside sources
It’s just we’ve had this debate before (many times), these are the points raised and I’m trying to explain why reform doesn’t happen in the way some want
It’s just we’ve had this debate before (many times), these are the points raised and I’m trying to explain why reform doesn’t happen in the way some want
So if you accept being a minister is a “second job” over and above being an MP and that can continue, then you aren’t saying MPs don’t have time for second jobs
Instead you are saying the ban on other second jobs is about preventing MPs being influenced - but then:
Instead you are saying the ban on other second jobs is about preventing MPs being influenced - but then:
* Is it OK to be a GP / NHS first responder (as some MPs are)?
* What about writing fiction?
* What about non fiction … and what if that strays into political commentary?
* What about being a Metro Mayor -
a job all about lobbying for ppl other than constituents?
* What about writing fiction?
* What about non fiction … and what if that strays into political commentary?
* What about being a Metro Mayor -
a job all about lobbying for ppl other than constituents?
Sir Geoffrey Cox?
That’s for him to justify
Note Cox has been MP since 2005 but barrister since 1982. He’s been re-elected with large majorities each time, & he has taken barrister work for most of that.
So his mandate renewed despite outside job. Are voters wrong to do that?
That’s for him to justify
Note Cox has been MP since 2005 but barrister since 1982. He’s been re-elected with large majorities each time, & he has taken barrister work for most of that.
So his mandate renewed despite outside job. Are voters wrong to do that?
Thank you for everyone replying saying - ‘but it’s easy, all you do is “X”’
If you could all hold a meeting and agree a commons definition of what “X” is, I’m all ears
If you could all hold a meeting and agree a commons definition of what “X” is, I’m all ears
The UK banned bankers bonuses above a certain ratio limit in 2013, following an EU directive
Big win?
Bonuses did go down, but the salary pool went up. So their take home pay in most cases was unchanged.
Conduct regulation is hard
Big win?
Bonuses did go down, but the salary pool went up. So their take home pay in most cases was unchanged.
Conduct regulation is hard
And if the point of reform is to curb potential influences on MPs, what about this?
Or indeed ALL hospitality from everyone ever
Or indeed ALL hospitality from everyone ever
https://twitter.com/JamesTapsfield/status/1457672429258612737
The point of this thread is not to argue one way or another about reform
Just to point out simple sounding solutions aren’t necessarily simple and risk running into the ground if these points and lots others aren’t properly considered
Just to point out simple sounding solutions aren’t necessarily simple and risk running into the ground if these points and lots others aren’t properly considered
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