Boris - the saviour of political integrity

[Notch7]

David Lammy earning 150K from a radio station and Kier Starmers earnings as a barrister?

You are desperate…….

Kier Starmer did everything by the book, he got full approval for his work.

Rees Mogg worked for LBC - so that’s cancelled that out.


Anyway it’s not about 2nd jobs, it’s about money in exchange for lobbying or legislation that gives competitive advantage…..the opposition can’t do that, so you’ve nowhere to go with this.

 

[sxturbo]

If MPs are doing their jobs how do they have time to have 2nd jobs?

How comes MPs expenses are so high If they have a 2nd job?

Something isn't right.

It's fine if they are using their free time for good, like if they are a solicitor their free time is used on pro-bono cases helping those in need, or similar activities.

Otherwise an MP job should solely be being an MP not spending time making your bank balance much healthier with spurious consulting Jobs.

 

[charliegolf]

How about coming at it from a different angle... Any ministerial office or government department approached by an MP on a topic pertinent to that department, could be required to check the List of Members' Interests for earnings in that area. If the MP is shown to be approaching the Dept and has income related to it, the department would be bound by the staff disciplinary code to report said MP to the watchdog.

Big task? Dunno why, and it might reduce lobbying markedly if a few sanctions were doled out. "On 13th November you telephoned the trade minister's office to explore the reduction of import taxes for tobacco. The list shows that you are employed as a consultant by BAT. You may have broken the blah blah standard. The commissioner will determine whether formal proceedings will follow. Have a good day."

Or similar. Why not?

 

[SirGalahad]

How about coming at it from a different angle... Any ministerial office or government department approached by an MP on a topic pertinent to that department, could be required to check the List of Members' Interests for earnings in that area. If the MP is shown to be approaching the Dept and has income related to it, the department would be bound by the staff disciplinary code to report said MP to the watchdog.

Big task? Dunno why, and it might reduce lobbying markedly if a few sanctions were doled out. "On 13th November you telephoned the trade minister's office to explore the reduction of import taxes for tobacco. The list shows that you are employed as a consultant by BAT. You may have broken the blah blah standard. The commissioner will determine whether formal proceedings will follow. Have a good day."

Or similar. Why not?

Because there are many loopholes to hide how you are being paid for consultancy work.

Nadim Zahawi set up a LTD company to be paid consultancy fees for work done on behalf of the Oil sector which he did not need to declare.

You are assuming you have perfect information.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tory-minister-nadhim-zahawi-pockets-25457511

 

[AngleEyes]

Describing an intentional attempt to change the system in order to rescue a friend from penalty, as a "car crash" is suggesting that Boris's intentions were accidental. Car crashes are rarely intentional.

 

[Notch7]

Because there are many loopholes to hide how you are being paid for consultancy work

if 2nd jobs are banned, MPs will have their wife, 3rd cousin, the family parrot being paid instead.

it’s like the scam involving MPs flats

 

[noseall]

Let's face it, being an MP is hardly the best paid job in the world. However, some see Westminster as a convenient vehicle to make them rich.

I say have a sleaze chart whereby MP's are rated on their dishonesty, underhandedness and lies. Make it bold and conspicuous with colours (blue, yellow, red etc) denoting their political affiliations.

 

[ellal]

Let's face it, being an MP is hardly the best paid job in the world.

National average earnings UK: £26k

Average MP earnings UK: £82k + expensives and other 'perks'...

If they can't live on that, then they should do what they tell the poorest in society...

Get another job!

 

[Tigercubrider]

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...ning-80000-or-more-top-5-of-uk-earners-labour

MPs are in the top 5% tax bracket plus many have crafty schemes such as buying a house in London on a subsidised mortgage, then renting it out and renting another house to live in, claiming on expenses.
They cut £20 from Universal credit then argue that £82k+ isn't enough to live on.

all "fiddles" should be stopped. the expenses cleaned up, and if necessary all MPs given a pay rise.
That should be fixed at a comparable rate to some other industry or amalgamation of salaries.
Any extra "illegal" sums should carry proper penalties.

 

[SirGalahad]

FT article

In 2009, the American Political Science Review published a study of the earnings of former members of the UK parliament, covering the postwar period. Andrew Eggers and Jens Hainmueller compared MPs with candidates who had narrowly lost elections, and found “that serving in office almost doubled the wealth of Conservative MPs but had no discernible financial benefits for Labour MPs”. These ex-MPs were typically being well paid for serving as directors of listed companies. The authors speculated that former Labour MPs were unable to take up these lucrative posts because trade unions frowned upon it.

 

[AngleEyes]

Johnson will sort out this caper
he will drain the swamp

It matters not that Johnson is a buffoon

Your volte-faces are coming thick and fast.

I can't think of any buffoon less capable and less appropriate to eradicate sleaze in the Tory party or in politics in general.

 

[AngleEyes]

Johnson restricts MPs' second jobs to Telegraph columnist, writing Shakespeare book or Mayor of London | The Daily Mash

Your attempts to reduce the PM and the Tory party in general, to a joke, are too late.
They've succeeded before you.

 

[AngleEyes]

He did, and it was probably overdue, some bad decisions recently.

Can you highlight any good decisions by Boris? Ones that he's actually acted on and carried through?

 

[AngleEyes]

David Lammy earning 150K from a radio station and Kier Starmers earnings as a barrister?

If I was a client engaging such a forensically capable professional as Sir Kier, I'd be extremely miffed if he baled out before the legal process was concluded. And everyone knows how long these processes can take.

 

[AngleEyes]

Otherwise an MP job should solely be being an MP not spending time making your bank balance much healthier with spurious consulting Jobs.

But it's perfectly understandable if once elected to a political position that one is expected to wind down your previous occupation.
Political candidates cannot be expected to resign their position prior to be elected. What happens if they're not elected? Can I have my job back, please?