Westminster Accounts: How the Owen Paterson scandal blew open the debate over MPs' second jobs

Sunday 8 January 2023 08:31, UKThree months before the general election in 2010, David Cameron declared British politics was"broken".

Thirteen years on, and five prime ministers later, some things have changed - the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority now publishes all MPs' expense claims, a register of consultant lobbyists has been established, and there is greater scrutiny of individual declarations of interests. More than four years on, it has taken the Westminster Accounts project by Sky News and Tortoise Media to edge towards a solution to the problem he identified.Recommendations to change rules around second jobs were made to Theresa May in 2018 but Brexit took overThe report stated:"MPs should not accept any paid work to provide services as a Parliamentary strategist, adviser or consultant, for example, advising on Parliamentary affairs or on how to influence parliament and its members.

The Commissioner said Mr Paterson had"repeatedly used his privileged position" to make multiple approaches to government departments and ministers on behalf of the companies.The investigation found he had made three approaches to the Food Standards Agency on behalf of Randox regarding the testing of antibiotics in milk in 2016 and 2017. He had also approached ministers at the Department for International Development four times about its blood testing technology.

However, critics of such a move said arbitrarily deciding which roles were acceptable would be problematic. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, ended his membership of Tunstall Health Group's international advisory board, a role that had been earning him £20,000 per year.Amid calls for something to be done and attempts from Labour to force the government's hand, Mr Johnson decided to act.

It proposed a new requirement for MPs to sign contracts with their outside employers, setting out the work that was expected of them and specifying that the duties would not include lobbying ministers.

MPs are voted in to do one job and represent their constituents to the best of their ability. Fight for their constituents. Voted representatives in parliamentary discussions for and against government issues and policies. Voices for and listening to the people. But?!Shame🔔Greed

Let's just be really clear and say no outside earnings at all unless you work in healthcare or an emergency service and no more second homes and massive expenses.

I'm not fussed if they have a second job as long as they are doing a good job being MP. Funneling money into dodgy companies linked to them I have issues with.

Sitting as an MP is just a part time gateway to untold riches beyond the wildest dreams. Not one of them care about us or the job. Until they are banned from taking other employments we will never have the right people in parliament.

The debate over whether wolves can eat chickens has been raging for many years. But since it is only the wolves who decide such matters, the status quo of wolves eating chickens is likely to persist for many years to come.

ABridgen has additional employment as an antivax poster boy & grifter - hopefully that is noted somewhere?

They shouldn’t have second jobs as they need to focus on this job which most of them don’t seem to do

Maybe they should only take a second job that pays under a Certain amount. Or. Just for fun... Minimum wage

prison time

Yet Lammy who said MPs shouldn’t have second jobs is always hosting on LBC, well over £200,000 he’s made in second employments.

It would be a conflict of interest in any other profession and grounds for summary dismissal.

BYW we haven’t forgotten that Tories partied while we suffered and people died. Never forget!

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