Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Peter Bottomly says we need to pay MPs more to avoid this kind of thing, they're struggling to get by on, well loads more than most and if we want them to not be thieving, corrupt, *******s then we have to pay them more, who'd have thought their corruption and greed would lead to them getting a pay rise well anyone who paid attention to the expenses scandal really

In other news Owen Patterson getting a peerage has been blocked, good, if he's rewarded with anything it should be a jail sentence not a cushy job for life

---------- Post added at 00:35 ---------- Previous post was at 00:32 ----------

Worse than ordered, told them cash for services in their area would be cut if they didn't comply

In other news bozo and his junta have been voted our most corrupt government ever, even higher than Tony blood on his hands Blair

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

While I broadly agree with you I do - genuinely - think that paying MPs more than 82 grand, tightening up what can legitimately be claimed as an expense and the rules on “second jobs” would be better for democracy. (I also made this point in another thread recently so I’m not being opportunistic with it).

Someone getting paid 100k for a directorship 2 days a month and 82k as an MP 365 days a year cannot be anything but utterly conflicted.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

It's not just 82k per year though, when you add it all up its hundreds of k per year but let's be honest it wouldn't matter what they're paid, it still wouldn't be enough

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

I agree for the corruptible yes, it’d never be enough. There’s also the likelihood that lobbying would simply become indirect via family members rather than bribing MPs to corrupt democracy in disguise.

It’d turn out their partners would have surprising expertise in many fields I’m sure.

On a blue sky sunny day I definitely think an MP - restricted in taking second jobs and “expenses” is worth in excess of 200k. As long as they have focus on who they are serving for their primary - and ideally sole - income.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Especially when 12 years ago one particular bumbling blond idiot current MP described his then-salary of £250k as “chicken feed”.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

:tu:

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Well, he's quit his lobbying jobs and as Seph says, is toxic, I don't think he'll be earning much now. Plus he's 65 so may focus on his retirement.

I guess due diligence needs to be undertaken before considering making him a Lord. Locations and sizes of overseas holiday homes, yachts, etc. ;)

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

One thing I have never quite agreed with is any MP having a second Job.

As an elected MP, your job should be serving your constituents, full time.
If you cant do that, then you should let someone else [who can] do the job.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

exactly should be banned from any other job when a MP that is your job to serve people that voted you in

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Monday's debate should be interesting! Johnson's not known for his apologies!
https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-...ebate-12463673

---------- Post added at 00:08 ---------- Previous post was at 00:06 ----------

Totally agree.

He who pays the piper calls the tune.

The best way for an MP to avoid conflicts of interests is by having no other jobs.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Currently there are calls to ban the type of secondary work that Owen Paterson was doing i.e. paid advocacy and consultancy

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...eaze-clampdown

30 MPs would be affected - 28 are Conservative.

However it is a difficult situation - I'm not convinced having more people become career politicians is a good thing either. Without real world experiences of situations they affect, they become detached from the impact of the votes and bills.

We already have a set of MPs going straight into politics from University so they don't know anything other that the Westminster world.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Banning an MP from holding other jobs doesn't prevent them from gaining real world experience before they become an MP, it just means they can't do it at the same time as they are an MP. I'm not sure how else you could draw the line.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

This. Totally this and nothing else.

Increase the salaries to levels we see on the continent (top 5 countries) and also add a ban of taking up fat cat "positions on the board" for say, 3 years after leaving job to avoid any off grid influence.

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Re: Owen Paterson: Anger as Tory MP avoids suspension in rule shake-up
 

Agreed.