Here We Go Again

[Canary42]

One rule for the plebs, one for MPs.

Tory MP Andrew Rosindell backed the £20 cut in Universal Credit but says many MPs need a second job to maintain their lifestyle. What a bloody hypocrite.

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/tory-backed-universal-credit-cuts-defends-lucrative-mp-second-jobs-132848354.html

[AuntPG]

// ory MP Andrew Rosindell backed the £20 cut in Universal Credit//

There is no cut in Universal Credit -they are phasing out the bonus that was given during Lockdown.

//but says many MPs need a second job to maintain their lifestyle. //

your point being? If people on UC want to maintain their lifestyles, then maybe they should think about getting a second job!

[ToraToraTora]

...or even a first job

[AuntPG]

Quite...........

[naomi24]

Is that £20 the extra universal credit that was given to tide people over lockdown? If so it’s not a cut. It’s getting the country back to normal.

[New Judge]

There is nothing to stop anybody getting any number of jobs that they feel are necessary to maintain their chosen lifestyle.

[bobbinwales]

Tory MPs tend to earn more but Labour have to be careful as some of them have other jobs like David Lammy and even Keir did paid work for Gibralter gov when he was a MP

[bobbinwales]

To be fair though, sorry canary your post is just about MPs, any party. Ed Davey of LIb Dems got £75000 for consultancy work

[Gromit]

I saw some footage of the Government benches on TV tonight. There was hardly anyone there. Not unusual, but for the first time I realised they were all at their second jobs, afternoon shelf stacking shift at the local Tesco.

[youngmafbog]

As was pointed out on another thread UC was temporary and is a pointless argument in such matters of these.

The problem is Canary are you suggesting only those that can afford to take a pay cut should apply. So no ex-doctors or company directors then? Only the very rich or people like Raynor?

[Untitled]

MPs are among the top 5% of earners in the country...

when he says "their lifestyle" what he means is "sending their children to expensive private schools" or buying multiple homes.

[AuntPG]

^^^^^^^^
Jealousy! -what is wrong with aspiring to own property or send your children to private schools?

Better than sitting at home moaning your government handouts are being 'cut'. Maybe some should look at their own lifestyles, maybe try condoms instead of popping out 'fatherless' kids and apply for one of the thousands of jobs employers are unable to fill at the moment.

[Untitled]

Nothing is wrong with aspiring to do those things.

[Untitled]

If people want to try and get rich then they are entitled to do that… but the role of MP is public service and while it deserves (and receives) good compensation it is not there to make MPs wealthy… that can be pursued before or after they are in the Commons. The fact is many MPs get their second jobs BECAUSE they are MPs and therefore “insiders”…

I think second jobs should be banned for MP they should not have a paymaster having influence over them other than constituents… appreciate this would include nurses and worthy professions but it would be wrong to make exemptions and muddy the waters!

[AuntPG]

Some MPs can only keep their licences ( doctors barristers etc ) if they continue to Practice while they are MP's. I certainly don't condone MP's using their influence to get jobs in certain sectors that will be beneficial to the company they are working for, but if you have a blanket ban on all second jobs then those who have to continue to work, and those running small businesses as self-employed, will no longer be attracted into politics.

[bednobs]

the problem (from my POV anyway) is that you can't make "mp" a long-term career really.
If you are voted out due to snap by-election (eg through no fault of your own, but because the elctorate has a beef with your party leader), suddenly you are jobless. There is no MP "industry" so it's not like you could go to a different employer and say you were looking for a job as an MP

[AuntPG]

I would go further and ask if being an MP -well a back bencher at least -IS a full -time job.?

[dannyk13]

APG // if being an MP -well a back bencher at least -IS a full -time job.?//
It should be, apart from attending parliament they have their constituency work to do.

[Untitled]

“ if you have a blanket ban on all second jobs then those who have to continue to work, and those running small businesses as self-employed, will no longer be attracted into politics.”

I think it’s a price worth paying…. the alternative is a rule that is riddled with exemptions and loopholes…

[AuntPG]

The best MP's are surely those that have at least had a 'proper job' at some time? Even Boris worked on a newspaper, You can't expect to recruit MP's from Political Graduates or retired professionals.

[Untitled]

"The best MP's are surely those that have at least had a 'proper job' at some time? Even Boris worked on a newspaper"

i think that point refutes itself!!!

the best MPs are people with integrity, judgement, and principle... those things are more important than experience running a small business... Somebody who is motivated to serve the public as an MP - to take their seat in parliament and participate in history - will do so if it means earning 83k (which is still quite a high salary).