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

They made a laughing stock of the democratic process. I think the problem with allowing part time work outside of keeping professional requirements up is where do you draw the lines, it's impossible to practically.

3 hours a week being a director of a company that has political interests amounts to lobbying, and imagine the situation if 100's of MP's had their own TV shows? Definitely a no to both of those

MPs should have some sort of contract which requires a minimum amount of attendance in the house of commons and at surgeries. Then people like Nadine Dorries and Matt Hancock couldn't go off and do TV programmes in the jungle for huge payments during parliament.If a minimum amount of work was required then some outside work would be ok.

Being MP should be a full-time job, but as it may only last for until the next general election, I suppose in all fairness that you cannot expect all MPs to resign from whatever job they did before getting into parliament.

So those who have to, or feel they have to retain some connection to whatever job the already have, should be able to do so on a part-time basis.

But in fairness to the electorate, all MPs should be made aware that their first duty is their political work, as long as they sit in parliament.

Nannarose

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.

They wouldn’t do a shift at a hospital 😆
I don’t think they should be allowed to have several jobs, it could influence them. And why should they be given time to keep up their skills. Others can’t do that. Being an MP should be a full time job in itself.

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

No it’s a full time job

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

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, 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.

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.

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?

** Not who, whip! Darn auto correct

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?

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.

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.

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.

No; no job at all

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.

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.

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.

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).

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!

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.

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.

Margiknot

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

Can you explain further?