Is Ed Miliband right? Is it time we stopped MPs from having jobs outside parliament?
Both Jack Straw and Sir Malcom Rifkind are being investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after being accused of providing services to private companies for cash in a sting by Channel Dispatches and the Telegraph. Both MPs have been suspended by their respective parties.
In response to the story, Labour leader Ed Miliband has once again reiterated his opposition to MPs having second jobs. “We’ve got to settle this issue of second jobs once and for all so we remove any suspicion that MPs are working not for their constituents’ interests but someone else’s interests,” Miliband said.
91 Tory MPs have second jobs compared to 21 Labour MPs. Tory MPs with second jobs have this year declared £4.4m of earnings in the register of members’ interest. Meanwhile Labour MPs have declared around £1m in earnings.
So is Ed Miliband right? Is it time we stopped MPs from having jobs outside parliament? Cast your vote.
Create your own user feedback survey
James Bloodworth is the editor of Left Foot Forward. Follow him on Twiter
To reach hundreds of thousands of new readers and to make the biggest impact we can in the next general election, we need to grow our donor base substantially.
That's why in 2024, we are seeking to generate 150 additional regular donors to support Left Foot Forward's work.
We still need another 124 people to donate to hit the target. You can help. Donate today.
8 Responses to “VOTE: Should MPs be banned from having second jobs?”
ForeignRedTory
The downside of it is that MPs should IMHO not be made more dependent on their Parties. I can see where y’all coming from, and I can certainly think of highly inappropriate outside influences ( jobs included, of course ) but as for categorically banning it? Sorry – I can no more support that than I could support legally-binding party whips.
frank100
If you object to e-mail farming simply fill in a made up one
Namak
One MP, one job! No exceptions! GPs Teachers etc should do unpaid stints as should writers and public speakers .