tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post5109193058022193271..comments2024-01-23T16:53:02.428+00:00Comments on Mark Thompson: MPs should not have outside jobs Mr ParrisMark Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00744387583593537268noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-13030349802975063292009-08-19T20:53:19.748+01:002009-08-19T20:53:19.748+01:00Timothy. Whilst the idea that the constituents cou...Timothy. Whilst the idea that the constituents could choose sounds good, in practise our electoral system makes that impractical. 70% of seats are safe and those MPs would within reason be able to do what they liked with little fear of their constituents doing anything about it. It would only be MPs in marginal seats who need to worry.<br /><br />Also, what if both (or all) main candidates will have outside interests? What do the electorate in the seat do then?<br /><br />I think your idea would only have merit in some sort of multi-member seat scenario where there would be enough breadth of candidates for this to be able to become a factor.<br /><br />I agree that senior ministers and the PM cannot possibly represent their constituents as well as a back-bench MP. I am not sure what the answer is to that but just because that problem is there does not mean it should be further compounded.Mark Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00744387583593537268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-54295713823477880712009-08-19T12:34:35.502+01:002009-08-19T12:34:35.502+01:00Whilst I would rather my MP didn't spend too m...Whilst I would rather my MP didn't spend too much time on a second job, its certainly not right to ban such behaviour.<br /><br />Surely it is down to the constituents to decide? As long as the MP/candidate has been open about their intentions when elected, I can see nothing wrong with them doing outside work.<br /><br />If you do think they should focus on being MPs, what do you propose to do about MPs who are promoted to senior government posts? They were elected to represent their constituents and then go off to become senior ministers with very little time to spend on their voters/local issues.Timothy Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03015538850759964853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3881762807913180318.post-43031294195615701772009-08-19T10:56:05.768+01:002009-08-19T10:56:05.768+01:00I agree with you.
I would suggest something else....I agree with you.<br /><br />I would suggest something else. MPs should not be paid 5000 pounds a year by organisations like the Caravan Club to push their cause.<br /><br />If an MP thinks a cause needs addressing, then fine pursue it but no payment is required and such funding is bound to have MPs focusing on the wrong thingsVoternoreply@blogger.com