Part-time politicians

[Gromit]

Many of our elected politicians it seems are moonlighting on the job. They have decided to work on our behalf on a partime basis, some doing several other jobs when they should be working for us.

Boris Johnson, London Mayor, is paid �250,000 for his weekly Telegraph column. William Hague earns �230,000 on top of his MP pay. Labour politicians also have lucrative Directorships and Consultancy jobs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/pol itics/conservative/3916568/David-Cameron-drops -plan-to-force-shadow-team-to-axe-extra-jobs.h tml

Do you think it is alright for politicians to do other jobs?

[Rollo]

Why not? If I want to do two jobs I can, so politicians should have the same right.

And anyway, the less time they spend on politics the better!

[anotheoldgit]

Why not they only work partime as it is.

So wouldn't you take up another job if you were partime?

[jake-the-peg]

Perhaps but being an MP should come first.

The current arrangement where the House of Commons only starts at mid-day to accommodate those with second jobs should end.

And merely listing a members interests should be beefed up.

Those with conficts of interests should not be allowed to vote on related matters.

For example an MP on the board of a Tobacco firm should not be allowed to vote on a bill related smoking. Doing so should be a disciplinary offense.

[rov1200]

If they were in any other type of job that vocation would be classed as overmanned and some would be made redundant. It is plainly obvious there are too many MPs and they should be reduced by at least half.

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think it's plainly obvious at all.

Please elaborate - how many people do you think 1 MP should represent and why?

[R1Geezer]

Yes they should do other jobs it keeps them out of trouble and suplliments their income. Pay peanuts you get monkees, I notice you mention only Tories, presumably noo labour are such a bunch of numpties they can't get a moonlighter! Really Gromit you must be getting desperate!

[Gromit]

R1Geezer

You obviously missed this bit of the post...

Labour politicians also have lucrative Directorships and Consultancy jobs.

[jake-the-peg]

What part of

"Labour politicians also have Lucrative Directorships and Consultancy jobs"

are you struggling with Geezer?

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry Gromit should let you stand up for yourself - but it was soooo tempting - I couldn't resist!

[123everton]

I think it's wrong he who pays the money calls the tune, we pay the money so we call the tune, they are here to serve us, we are their bosses, that's why we get to sack them every 4 or 5 years.
You cannot serve 2 masters, you cannot wear 2 hats, you cannot be impartial when you are employed by someone else also, there is often a conflict of interest I'd wager and given that they will be privvy to sensitive information it could give some firms an unfair advantage.
Their houses are paid for by us, their furniture is paid for by us, their is subsidised by us, their canteen is subsidised by us, their travel is paid for by us, their postage is paid for by us and their partners and children are often employed by us (although I'm sure they interviewed other suitable candidates first, NOT) what more do these people want?

[123everton]

That should be their beer is subsidised by us.

[R1Geezer]

mentioned the Tories by name, not the Labourites. Add weight to your natural lefty Bias I guess.

[olddutch]

Well said everton - far the best post in the thread - most MPs are greedy fatcat ******s

AOG Dont stand for Gromit giving you 3 stars !

[rov1200]

I think the thing that gets my goat about politicians is each party sings from the same hymn-sheet as though they had no individual thoughts whatsover. So they just read up on the party line and out comes the same spiel. The trouble is if the leader brandishes his thoughts the chorus emanating from the back benches drowns out those individuals who have something sensible to say.

If you pay peanuts you get monkeys but with their considerable high salaries we still get monkeys.