Snouts in troughs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proof that the rich (as well as the poor) will always be us.

The furore over the legal work performed overseas by Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox QC, Member for Torridge and West Devon has once again brought into sharp focus the two fundamental views regarding MPs and the money they receive.

One view – generally advocated by Labour members – is that MPs should be full time salaried representatives of and for their constituents. That a conscientious and hard working MP should not have the time or energy left over IF they are doing their job properly.

The opposing view – generally advocated by Conservative members – is that the constituents benefit from having a member whose ability, expertise and knowledge is such that they can earn a very handsome income outside of their constituency and Parliamentary duties and cite the old adage: “If you want something doing; ask a busy person.”

I feel that BOTH of these views hold water and the ways that MPs work should be adjusted accordingly so as to allow BOTH options to be followed.

“How?” we hear you ask Dear Reader.

This is how:

#1: Abolish the present system of MPs being given an allowance to hire their own staff. Replace these ad hoc arrangements with a proper full time Parliamentary Secretariat staff by full time civil servants and run on civil service lines. This should NOT be a government (Crown) Department of State buy an independent Secretariat under the governance and oversight of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Leader of the House of Lords. This would mean there would be no need for expenses as MPs would be allowed to travel to and from their constituency by bus and/or rail (second class) at no cost.

#2: Present Parliamentary candidates with a choice which would have to be prominently displayed on any and all election communications and also the ballot paper. The choice would be:

(A.) A full time salaried MP who would NOT be allowed to take part in any additional paid activity.

(B.) A part time unpaid MP who WOULD be allowed to take part in any additional lawful paid activity – subject to statutory disclosure constraints.

This would have the advantage of placing the decision wholly in the hands of where it should properly lie: the voters!