Ian Hislop embarrasses MPs in their own select committee on lobbying and transparency

Blooming brilliant, Elegram! Thank goodness for people like Hislop.

Superb Elegran Hear, hear Ian Hislop. ?

I'd seen this before but good to watch again:

Do you want a philosophical discussion about the fallen human condition or the moral shift in the quality of people who become MPs?

Thanks for posting Elegran. Veeeery interesting. What a star Hislop is, thank goodness for people like him.

So refreshing to see a proper debate rather than the HoC shouting match.
Hislop for Ethics advisor?

I love to listen to Ian Hislop’s views on HIGNFY so this is an absolute delight. Glad that he and his writers were consulted on this. Makes me think perhaps there is some hope for our parliamentary processes after all. And yes lixy, how wonderful to hear debate without all the braying.

Does anyone know if a second job offer to an elected MP has to be okayed by the Standards Committee before it is accepted though? Surely better than finding out a few years down the line that there is a huge conflict of interest.

He’s good isn’t he?

The point that Richard Brooks made about providing more information in the Register of Member's Interests is a very valid one. MPs should be required explain precisely who these people are, what these companies do and in what context payments have been received.

On another committee occasion, Chris Bryant was asking questions about Priti Patel's declaration with regards to VIP tickets she had been given for the premiere of the latest James Bond film. She had declared the gift in such a way as to raise questions. Bryant asked both Leader of the House Mark Spencer and Paymaster General Michael Ellis why Patel should receive such a gift? Spencer had no answer. Ellis said it was part of Patel's "executive function" which raised laughs among the participants.

The truth is MPs do receive a lot of hospitality especially tickets to sporting events where they are the guests of the sponsors. MPs want us believe that sponsors and donors do not want something in return. Of course they do.

A wealthy one time friend of mine once said the richer/ more powerful someone is, the less they are expected to pay fir whatever out of their own pocket. I couldn’t believe how much he and his family got for free, despite the fact he, more than most of us, could easily afford to pay himself.

Well done Hislop.

My father was an army officer. He worked in the supplies and procurement side of support sending out tenders and awarding contracts. Initally, especially when he served overseas, until people knew him, he was offered all sorts of things from straight forward cash, to tickets for events, and, when one contractor discovered my mother loved flowers, a beautiful basket of flowers arrived at our home. My father allowed my mother to have a photograph of them, then they went straight back to the contractor.

He never ever accepted any freeby from anyone, and it soon became known, and respected, even by those who had been able to 'buy' contracts from other officers in his job.

My father's standard is my standard for the conduct of anyone in public life.

Elegran Thanks for sharing that.
silverlining Yes, one example being “goody bags” which are handed out at occasions like the Oscars. The contents, I’ve read, can be worth hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

This might be better posted in a separate thread but is connected. Tonight, the Tory Party hold their Summer Fundraising Ball at the Victoria & Albert Musuem, a charity funded by the public which, according to the Code of Conduct for Public Bodies should be politically impartial. It clearly isn't. A table for ten costs £20000. A lot of lobbying will go on there tonight. How is this right?

twitter.com/ByDonkeys

At least it is stated that fund-raising is the object of the dinner. The money paid for a place will go openly to the party, not surreptitiously to an elected representative to subvert their vote.

The friend I mentioned only spent his own money ( probably a tax incentive involved ) at fundraising do's, making sure everyone saw him bid, otherwise he would argue about £1. I witnessed that once and it was toe curling.

As for goody bags, they alone were worth over £1000 each, ie designer bags x2, ( isnt one more than enough?) never mind the private jets and super yachts he and his family used for holidays and jollies. Its an unequal world. Sorry I will get off my hobby horse now.

Monica your father was a man of principle.

It's a very interesting watch. That MP trying to justify football freebies for a hard working member of staff! Why would Heineken give such an extravagant gift? They really don't get it do they?

I've always liked Ian Hislop, now I love him. I didn't realise he was such a clever man. Pity he is not in government. We certainly need people like him as one of our leaders.

Love it, love Ian Hislop, love to stop MPs and their staff getting any sort of reward - they work for us not for people/companies with lots of money who want to influence parliament.

I've watched this nearly every day, since it came out.
To remind myself of the calibre of waffling, time wasting corrupt self important w**** that continually reach levels of importance - no matter which party they come from.

nannypiano

I've always liked Ian Hislop, now I love him. I didn't realise he was such a clever man. Pity he is not in government. We certainly need people like him as one of our leaders.

I don't think he would want to be in government. The great thing is he would give a government of any flavour a hard time if they are pretending they have only been in government for five minutes, therefore not accountable.

The best any party can hope for is that he doesn't aim his beautifully crafted words at them. He is a modern-day Court Jester - the only one who could speak truth to power.

When I was working we were not allowed to accept gifts of any kind, even small items such as chocolates. Professionally I think it would make me feel uncomfortable, as if people were expecting special treatment in return, even if not the case. I don’t know how MPs get away with it. Very outdated imo.

Wonderful MOnica, well done your father.

My goodness there should be more debates like this on ethics. Why does any job beingg undertaken by an MP not go to a debate including lay people. I worked for LA and was often offered gifts from people never mind a job. Would have been sacked if I had accepted anything, even a calendar!