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I noted the Tory outrage over the lobbying things.
There are two sadly interesting things at work here:
1) they probably didn't break the rules, as the system is set up to allow politicians to make a tasty living from lobbying.
2) William Hague has made millions from lobbying
Showing posts with label MPs' second jobs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MPs' second jobs. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Television sting brings triple happiness for David Cameron | Politics | The Guardian
"The atmosphere among Labour MPs was best caught by Colin Burgeon, the leftwing MP for Elmet. He told MPs: "The answer to all this is to cut the Gordian knot and make sure that all MPs, especially Labour MPs, have no outside work at all when they are MPs."
I'd agree with that
I'd agree with that
BBC News - Labour suspends three ex-ministers over lobbying claims
"Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon are under investigation over their apparent willingness to help a lobbying firm in return for cash.
They were secretly filmed by the Channel 4 programme Dispatches, but have denied any wrong-doing. "
I fear they might be true. Lobbying goes on at the highest levels of government, and is rarely frowned upon. Many of the Tory front bench have made fortunes from such a practice, and I doubt they're alone in this country.
In America, something like $4billion per year is spent on lobbying.
In the unlikely event they have done anything against the law it will be a technicality.
And rather than writing politicians off as corrupt, I would say it's part of a wider issue. Those salaries/whatever else they technically are don't pay themselves
They were secretly filmed by the Channel 4 programme Dispatches, but have denied any wrong-doing. "
I fear they might be true. Lobbying goes on at the highest levels of government, and is rarely frowned upon. Many of the Tory front bench have made fortunes from such a practice, and I doubt they're alone in this country.
In America, something like $4billion per year is spent on lobbying.
In the unlikely event they have done anything against the law it will be a technicality.
And rather than writing politicians off as corrupt, I would say it's part of a wider issue. Those salaries/whatever else they technically are don't pay themselves
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Monday, 22 June 2009
MPs' Second Jobs
Apparently, the Tories fear that information of their other jobs could be as damaging as the expenses, or worse.
And I say good, and bad. Whilst it will be great to see all these who are too busy lining their own pockets to look after their constituents as they should called to account, it will be a shame to see the political system dragged through the mud again.
Maybe some of the conflicts of interest will come to light. I don't see how anyone can be a parliamentary advisory AND MP without a clear conflict of interest.
It will also be interesting to see how it plays out in the media, compared to the expenses leak. My feeling is that this will not be as big a storm.
The comments are typical Daily Mail crap, as is to be expected.
And I say good, and bad. Whilst it will be great to see all these who are too busy lining their own pockets to look after their constituents as they should called to account, it will be a shame to see the political system dragged through the mud again.
Maybe some of the conflicts of interest will come to light. I don't see how anyone can be a parliamentary advisory AND MP without a clear conflict of interest.
It will also be interesting to see how it plays out in the media, compared to the expenses leak. My feeling is that this will not be as big a storm.
The comments are typical Daily Mail crap, as is to be expected.
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