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Should UK MPs be allowed second (or even third) jobs whilst serving MPs?

(79 Posts)
Cossy Wed 07-Aug-24 16:10:51

I’d be interested in others views.

Personally, I think being an MP is already more than a full time job, they should attending parliament as often as possible, holding surgeries in their constituencies, dealing with any issues in their area and representing always the people who elected them.

They are public servants!

They are paid a reasonable basic salary and very healthy expenses as well as subsidised meals and alcohol in the HoC.

What are others thoughts?

BlueBelle Wed 07-Aug-24 16:13:45

No

BlueBelle Wed 07-Aug-24 16:14:08

That’s an answer to the title

Margiknot Wed 07-Aug-24 16:18:57

Not a full time job but some may need to keep up skills.

Cossy Wed 07-Aug-24 16:20:14

Margiknot

Not a full time job but some may need to keep up skills.

Can you explain further?

Nannarose Wed 07-Aug-24 16:21:48

I think it should be very limited. Given the precarious nature of the job, I think some sort of allowance needs to be made for keeping up skills. I also think that the odd shift in a hospital or anything similar would help to keep them in touch. An occasional article in a newspaper or magazine can be useful as well. But it shouldn't be difficult to keep it to a small number of hours, and a limit on earnings.

biglouis Wed 07-Aug-24 16:22:29

No, they are public servants and should remember that. Too much elitism and the salary and allowances are already generous. For those who need a base in London (because their constituency is elsewhere) it should be a basic 1 bed studio flat.

Calendargirl Wed 07-Aug-24 16:24:37

Cossy

Margiknot

Not a full time job but some may need to keep up skills.

Can you explain further?

Nursing for example. I know of one nurse who became an MP, had to do a skills update type thing annually I think to retain her qualification.

Good job she did, she lost her seat at the next election!

Grantanow Wed 07-Aug-24 16:44:20

Broadly no but exception for those who have to maintain professional registration (or require the registration bodies to exempt them while they are MPs but they could become dangerously out of date).

eazybee Wed 07-Aug-24 16:51:44

MPs need to keep their skills going in case they are left suddenly without a job, as has happened recently. It also serves to keep them in touch with the world outside the parliamentary bubble. Some Union reps are employed but also work part-time in their respective trades/professions, which keeps them in touch with what is happening in their particular field.

rafichagran Wed 07-Aug-24 16:53:42

Yes I don't see why not. I had a second job. Full time one during the day, and bar work in the evenings.
So long as their job does not compromise or interfere with being a MP why are people bothered.

TerriBull Wed 07-Aug-24 16:56:03

It can of course be precarious once elections come round depending on the party's record. I think to do the job wholeheartedly an MP needs to give it their all and that I think would mean no second jobs.

JamesandJon33 Wed 07-Aug-24 17:25:10

No; no job at all

MissAdventure Wed 07-Aug-24 17:32:58

First, I think they should check how many hours mps spend, awake and actually working as mps.
If it is full time hours, or thereabouts, then no, they shouldnt work at other jobs, too.

Galaxy Wed 07-Aug-24 17:35:20

I think you could do it but limit hours, I dont think it's possible to say it's ok for nurses but not ok for journalists, certainly in all public sector jobs I did second employment was allowed but had to be declared.

Cossy Wed 07-Aug-24 18:22:16

eazybee

MPs need to keep their skills going in case they are left suddenly without a job, as has happened recently. It also serves to keep them in touch with the world outside the parliamentary bubble. Some Union reps are employed but also work part-time in their respective trades/professions, which keeps them in touch with what is happening in their particular field.

To be fair, unless the who is removed AND the MP deselected, it’s unlikely they’ll be “left suddenly without a job”

Despite the fact that our most recent GE was earlier than expected, all involved knew this was election year.

Cossy Wed 07-Aug-24 18:24:44

rafichagran

Yes I don't see why not. I had a second job. Full time one during the day, and bar work in the evenings.
So long as their job does not compromise or interfere with being a MP why are people bothered.

I think as our most senior civil servants, given that being an MP isn’t a 9-5 job. It’s not quite the same as having a 9-5 office job Mon-Fri then doing some weekend and evening work is it?

Cossy Wed 07-Aug-24 18:25:24

** Not who, whip! Darn auto correct

Wyllow3 Wed 07-Aug-24 18:38:02

Limited to maintaining professional qualifications and standards.
Certainly no "directorships" that are really "lobbying on the side", that gives a certain group or interest a back door into policy

And certainly not working in the press or on TV.

Sympathy for parents with children to be able to see family, and a one bed flat not enough. Have to apply as appropriate?

Oreo Wed 07-Aug-24 18:41:25

Grantanow

Broadly no but exception for those who have to maintain professional registration (or require the registration bodies to exempt them while they are MPs but they could become dangerously out of date).

I agree.

M0nica Wed 07-Aug-24 19:01:17

Yes, providing the amount of hours they can give to it are limited.

My reasons are 1) That if MPS are really to understand the problems legislation will have on ordinary people, they need to be coming up against people all the time in ordinary everyday situations and being in work, whether their work is legal or cleaning.

I would like to see more Labour MPs working and in more mundane ways. I would see all labour MPs, especially those who have spent years in Union HQs, doing shifts on the till at Sainsbury's, or being a factory worker or pizza delivery person one shoft a week.

The other reason I think MP's should keep a foot in the workplace, is that a parliamentary seat is not a job for life and it will be much easie for them to get back to work in teir previous profession if they have kept their work skills up to date.

Siope Wed 07-Aug-24 19:13:11

Yes, for those jobs where professional registration depends on it. Their second salary should go to a related charity.

No directorships, no lobbying, no media roles.

I’do think MPs should have had jobs outside politics, and a demonstrable track record in local politics, before being allowed to stand as an MP.

Cossy Thu 08-Aug-24 10:45:05

Siope

Yes, for those jobs where professional registration depends on it. Their second salary should go to a related charity.

No directorships, no lobbying, no media roles.

I’do think MPs should have had jobs outside politics, and a demonstrable track record in local politics, before being allowed to stand as an MP.

Yes, agree

NannaFirework Thu 08-Aug-24 11:56:36

No it’s a full time job

mabon1 Thu 08-Aug-24 11:59:27

No. If they do take away all their generous allowances.