Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up

[daveeb]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

Seems like we don't need the best of anything, except MPs

In other news a former tory advisor who is married to a sitting Conservative MP is is going to help choose the next chairman of ofcom and bozo has the brass neck to go on live TV and announce to the world that we are not a corrupt country, well the country might not be but the government certainly is

I thought exactly the same, they're attempting to rig absolutely everything and they move at such a speed there isn't any opportunity for proper scrutiny or accountability.

[Russ]

The MP for my mother’s area is Stephen Kinnock and this morning I had to drop off some documents from her to his office.

He wasnt there obviously so I handed them over to one of his assistants. I mentioned all this business about MPs having second/third jobs especially from companies that could benefit directly from that MP’s involvement, she just shrugged her shoulders and said “that’s politics for you”.

I’m not suggesting for one moment that Kinnock has an extra income or is up to anything improper but the impression I had from the assistant is that it’s virtually expected for MPs to be on the take.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Russ

The MP for my mother’s area is Stephen Kinnock and this morning I had to drop off some documents from her to his office.

He wasnt there obviously so I handed them over to one of his assistants. I mentioned all this business about MPs having second/third jobs especially from companies that could benefit directly from that MP’s involvement, she just shrugged her shoulders and said “that’s politics for you”.

I’m not suggesting for one moment that Kinnock has an extra income or is up to anything improper but the impression I had from the assistant is that it’s virtually expected for MPs to be on the take.

I think I read it's something like 1 in 4 Conservative MPs have a second job and just a handful amongst the other parties. So not a majority of MPs by any stretch of the imagination nor even a majority of Conservative MPs either.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I think I read it's something like 1 in 4 Conservative MPs have a second job and just a handful amongst the other parties. So not a majority of MPs by any stretch of the imagination nor even a majority of Conservative MPs either.

Maybe they aren't educated to a high enough standard to offer them a second high earning job, take Angela Rayner what could she do, toilet cleaner

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Pierre

Doesn't seem to worry the second chamber?



OK, in absence of a "panel" a set of basic rules.

i.e.

Minimum Age.
Must have worked for at least 10 years in a non-governmental role.
Must either live or have lived in the constituency they represent of a minimum period.
Definitely no second jobs.

just anything to improve the status quo.

---------- Post added at 12:02 ---------- Previous post was at 12:01 ----------

Yes not so much.

Maximum age to get rid of the career politicians.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I think I read it's something like 1 in 4 Conservative MPs have a second job and just a handful amongst the other parties. So not a majority of MPs by any stretch of the imagination nor even a majority of Conservative MPs either.

Most likely because in general, Tory MPs are likely to have had private sector careers before entering the Commons whereas Labourites are more likely to have worked for a trade union or a role connected with the political process in some way. Consultancy type jobs are easier to keep going part time. Certain professional qualifications require continuing practice for the professional accreditation to continue.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by jfman

Maximum age to get rid of the career politicians.

What age do you send them to the scrap heap?

[jfman]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

What age do you send them to the scrap heap?

50. Same as the Department for Work and Pensions.

[TheDaddy]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

What age do you send them to the scrap heap?

You mean the house of Lords

I think something needs doing about that to, there's now 800 unelected lords making decisions on our behalf, all with their hand out, thought we voted against this sort of thing

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Chris

Most likely because in general, Tory MPs are likely to have had private sector careers before entering the Commons whereas Labourites are more likely to have worked for a trade union or a role connected with the political process in some way. Consultancy type jobs are easier to keep going part time. Certain professional qualifications require continuing practice for the professional accreditation to continue.

I actually found it an encouraging statistic. I don't think MPs should have a second job but happy for them to do CPD or if necessary, pro bono work, to retain their qualifications and institutional memberships.

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by TheDaddy

You mean the house of Lords

I think something needs doing about that to, there's now 800 unelected lords making decisions on our behalf, all with their hand out, thought we voted against this sort of thing

It costs £3,000,000 to get in , I'd have my hand out if i coughed up all that money to get in.

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I actually found it an encouraging statistic. I don't think MPs should have a second job but happy for them to do CPD or if necessary, pro bono work, to retain their qualifications and institutional memberships.

Yes, it is a slippery slope, and a very tempting one. I spent a while as a consultant (not simultaneously as an MP mind you!) and the way pay is calculated as a day rate in which it is assumed you are your own employer and will be paying all your NI, sick pay, holiday pay, pension etc out of it makes it an extremely attractive way to work that few people in their right minds would give up easily or willingly. I didn’t; the financial crash of 2008 pulled the rug right out from under me. You can see why someone who possibly expects to serve only a couple of terms in Parliament (as many do) would want to keep their hand in, even if there isn’t a professional accreditation to maintain, but you can also see how that sort of money can prompt questions about conflicts of interest.

The idea about doing pro bono or CPD only is an intriguing one, but doesn’t entirely eliminate the whiff of corruption if that work gives a third party unfair access to or influence over government.

Originally Posted by Russ

The MP for my mother’s area is Stephen Kinnock and this morning I had to drop off some documents from her to his office.

He wasnt there obviously so I handed them over to one of his assistants. I mentioned all this business about MPs having second/third jobs especially from companies that could benefit directly from that MP’s involvement, she just shrugged her shoulders and said “that’s politics for you”.

I’m not suggesting for one moment that Kinnock has an extra income or is up to anything improper but the impression I had from the assistant is that it’s virtually expected for MPs to be on the take.

Here are Kinnock's other sources of income as of 1st November: https://publications.parliament.uk/p...ck_stephen.htm

Kinnock, Stephen (Aberavon)

2. (b) Any other support not included in Category 2(a)

Name of donor: Community Union
Address of donor: 465c Caledonian Road, London N7 9GX
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: £7,000
Date received: 19 May 2021
Date accepted: 19 May 2021
Donor status: trade union
(Registered 21 May 2021)

5. Gifts and benefits from sources outside the UK

Name of donor: The Danish Football Association
Address of donor: Brøndbyvester, Denmark
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: Ticket to Euro 2020 semi-final, transport to Wembley, pre-match dinner; approx. value £600
Date received: 7 July 2021
Date accepted: 7 July 2021
Donor status: company
(Registered 30 July 2021)

6. Land and property portfolio: (i) value over £100,000 and/or (ii) giving rental income of over £10,000 a year

From 15 June 2016, a house in Neath Port Talbot: (i). (Registered 27 January 2017)

8. Miscellaneous

From 16 September 2021, Trustee of the Big Tent Foundation, a not-for-profit non-party foundation for the renewal of mainstream political engagement. (Registered 01 October 2021)

The Danish Football Association ? How weird.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Paul

The Danish Football Association ? How weird.

The tickets may have been for his dad - who is weird.