Politicans must be banned from a second job

[FamousPrincess]

AIBU in demanding this?
MP often spout they ent into politics to make things better along with they ahve dedicated their life to it etc etc.

I had an easy job with the coucil, easy becuse I made it eay in part where others sturggled, I did in 20% of the time

An MP must be dedicated to their job/people/country and I'm lost on the fact they can and many dow have other jobs - how can that be so?

They get paid handsomely and we know about the expenses and time off - what more do they wont.

Come next GE, I will only vote for the person that promises not to hold a second post and if all state that then I will vote for the green party

I think it's up to them what they do tbh!

You sound a bit on your high horse. You can't dictate what people do in their working lives - it's not illegal to have a second job. You are free to vote however way you want but YABU for thinking you are entitled to 'demand' how other people choose to work.

I totally agree. They make laws to suit themselves. They've shown in the past with the expenses fiasco how utterly greedy they are.

That will mean only those with a very secure income/savings will do it because they won’t be able to afford to risk the short term nature for many

What about ones who work in nursing or as doctors and continue in these fields to make a difference, keep their ear to the ground and maintain their professional skills?

I agree up to a point, some just use their position to make money. But a few continue with a previous job to keep in touch with 'ordinary life', which I think is valuable. E.g. Rosena Allin-Khan who is a doctor, and does shifts in A&E while Parliament is not sitting. That seems worth allowing.

I think it should be policy that MPs devote their time to serving their constituents and attending the House. A second job is only appropriate in my view if they are, for example, a doctor or lawyer and need to work some hours to maintain their professional registration.

However if MPs were to be prohibited from taking second jobs they'd have to be paid more.

I think there are arguable reasons for banning second jobs but not the ones you give. By this logic MPs shouldn't hold ministerial positions because they are full roles in their own right and distract from their duties as MPs. Ditto working for charities, acting as school governor etc.

MPs are employed by us. They work for us. But many seem to think we are their servants.
If an MP works part time in their previous employment, e.g. doctor, then fair enough that they keep up with medical practice so when they are no longer MP they can return to being a doctor full time.
However, they should NOT have jobs such as 'advisory' roles for big companies where they earn ridiculous amounts for minimum work. They should not be taking advantage of their 'status' as an MP for personal gain. Nor should they be lobbying to get firms contracts in exchange for large sums.

Interesting that several of us have posted about MPs with medical jobs. Keep the NHS and don't privatise it.

I wouldn’t do that job for just what it pays

I think if they worked properly at their MP job, they wouldn’t have the time or the inclination to do anything else.

Any MP could lose their job overnight at the next election. So it's only fair they're allowed to keep professional registrations up to date for medicine, law etc. Not all MPs are the bad guys and not all are rich.

OP I think this began because it allowed non-rich men - yes, I do mean men - to stand as MPs.

Now things have changed so much, I can see your argument. I'm not 100% sure how I feel as I wouldn't want to lose MPs who are serving their constituents and fitting in other work.

actually the whole system needs an overhaul IMHO.

Agree with this too.

You can't rely on such a pledge though. Lets take a look at Jess Phillips.

Here she is on Twitter in 2015 Happy to pledge now that if elected I will be fulltime MP for Birmingham Yardley my only other job will be mom & carer where wages are awful

And here are just some of her earnings since she was elected Jess Phillips employment

She won't be the only one who's broken similar pledges.

Mine is allegedly a doctor.

Not sure he bothers doing much doctoring, even though the NHS is on its knees.

"Politicians" should not be banned from second jobs. The vast number of "politicians" are councillors - who in a large city are paid around £13,000, cabinet/committee member may get £19,000 and the council leader may get £25,000. At these rates it is almost mandatory for them to have other jobs.

The rules for MPs in the commons need reviewing, but as a first stage I would ban MPs from taking new jobs after they are elected (with the exception of writing), but they should be allowed to continue with existing jobs. Several posters have mentioned some have important and valuable jobs in health & care and as Territorials/Reservists in the forces. Some jobs need to be continued as they may lose professional registrations if they stop.

MPs used to be unpaid then about 120 years ago to enable those who had to work for a living to be MPs they provided salaries. It was the norm for MPs to have 2nd jobs - it doesn't seem unreasonable if the experience makes them better MPs or more skilled in examining legislation.

Though whoever thinks MPs are well paid needs to understand that the salaries are low for many people. I know self employed gas engineers in Kent earning more than MPs. Headteachers, GPs, accountants with a few years experience, lawyers post qualification, IT contractors etc all earn more than MPs. Given that an MP doesn't really have job security or a private life and the public seem to think they own their time they should be paid more.

A common arguement for paying them less is that lots of people want to be MPs. Lots of people want to movie stars or professional footballers - but those roles are well paid to get the best, not the average or the bad. Our MPs are awful if we want good ones we should pay them more.

You have made a fundamental error when trying to defend the indefensible as NO ONE has twisted their arm to become an MP. On the contrary most beg people for votes, many lie to get votes so re your comments, try again

I am not defending the indefensible I am stating that I wouldn’t do that job for that money alone.
Was that ok or do I need to try again?

I refer you to my previous post

What truss did to the country, never mind get paid she'd be locked up for making the company bankrupt.

Trust me and I can bet you that I could do a better job thatn any , yest any member of palrilament. However, when i say something I mean it unlike most of them so I cuold not by an MP as to be an MP you have to keep everyone happy and I could never do that and I am against being paid more than 80 for a 20 hour week - look at Boris, how weeks holidays has he had since being checked out in a bin from number 10 by his own.

FGS, you are clearly sstating that these idits MP's are not being paid enough. I am very clear they are being too much and too little work for many hence the other jobs. Do you want me to post this again in french?

I support maintaining the minimum needed to retain professional membership/standards/accreditation, such as with doctors. Nothing else.

When it comes to expenses, it should be that things are provided, such as someone employed by the Parliamentary estate to manage the office.

Feel free to post in French if you like, or in correctly spelt English - I am happy either way.
I have no idea why you are getting so cross, I have said I would not do that job for that amount of money. There are a lots of jobs I wouldn’t do for the salary they pay either
At no point have I said we are not paying MPs enough