Should MPs be able to have another job?

I can think of at least one MP who is also a doctor, and another who lost at the last election, who was a nurse. If they didn’t ‘keep their hand in and their qualifications up to date’, they wouldn’t be much use in their former occupation if they lost their seat.

There are also some amazing people out there who would be fantastic MPs who would not require a substantial increase because their average salary is a fraction of that of serving MPs.
Those people would also have more idea of how most people live their lives. Most wealthy people mix with other wealthy people all in their own little bubbles. They spend their time comparing their income with others higher up the ladder but never consider the majority which in this country earn about £25,000,
£83,000 plus generous expenses seems a small fortune to most,

Absolutely should not have another job. If they have time to have another one then they are not doing their job as an MP properly. If they want to be a doctor then be a doctor, not an MP.

Germanshepherdsmum

I think they may have to pay for staff etc out of their income but correct me if I’m wrong. If you want good MPs such as the late David Amess then they won’t be attracted by a low salary unless they have a substantial private income as of course many do, or a wealthy or high-earning spouse such as Theresa May’s. I don’t believe having another job per se is wrong but it should not make such demands on an MP’s time that they can’t properly do what they were elected to do.

They are reimbursed for salaries for staff. there were some scandals a few years ago because not only were MPs paying their wives for secretarial work but also their children. Some wives do actually work for their husbands but not all.

I don't quite understand your comment about David Amess. He was attracted by the "low" salary ( his wife worked for him part time as a caseworker ) so why shouldn't other decent hardworking people be attracted by it too? There are some people who go into politics for the general good.

Apparently they’re so hard up and badly paid that they need to have at least one other job,

I do believe her - she is an exemplary example of how they all should be.

No, they shouldn't have another job.
There is no reason why a doctor or nurse cannot keep their hand in voluntarily and absence from other professions could also need re-training to get up to date.

Once MP's leave the Houses of Parliament they are often be approached by large Companies to be on their Board of Chairmen. Speaking engagements etc.

I've got a beady eye on Sir John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings) ((No, I don't live there)).
£30,000 per annum from a company called HBSA, providing technical and vocational education.
£50,000 per annum from BB Energy - Companies House says "wholesale of petroleum and petroleum products" - employed as Strategic Advisor.
£38,000 per annum from the University of Bolton as part time (20-30 hours per month) Professor of Political Studies.

Employs his wife as his office manager.

Networking ensures that MPs and others moving in influential circles will never be short of generous offers of well paid opportunities.

Nadine Dorries employed her daughters Phillipa and Jennifer to work as secretaries in her private office in 2012, Both daughters were paid from public funds at a cost to the taxpayer of up to £80,000. As the current head of arts and culture one of her manifesto changes is nepotism in the BBC, you can’t make it up!

And what about Ian Blackford, the SNP’s leader in Westminster? He had five different external jobs in 2017! Apparently he did, until recently earn £3,247 a month for 8 hours work per quarter as chairman of the Golden Charter Trust?

They are all at it.

Keith Vaz? I’m not even going there.

When you were little, did anybody tell you two wrongs don't make a right?

ayse

Lincslass

Many benefits for the poorest in society are means tested so why not MPs pay? After all, they make the regulations so why should they not be subject to similar regulation?

Sorry but running the country and having means tested pay is laughable and ridiculous. Let’s means test pay for hospital managers, Drs.then!! Company directors, and charity Directors, now that is one I would vote for.