The Anonymous Widower

MPs for Hire

Stephen Byers, Patricia Hewitt and Geoff Hoon have been shown in a compromising position over offering themselves for hire on the Channel 4 programme, Despatches.

But their major crime is that they were stupid.  And they were ex-ministers!

I think it just shows the sort of dross we have in Parliament.

We will continue to get time-servers, get-rich-quick-merchants, blow-your-own-trumpeters and other ne’er do-wells, until we properly reform Parliament.

They do work hard, or all the MPs I’ve known did, except one, they work unsocial hours, every part of their personal life is scrutinised by the tabloids and they have lots of family problems.  And they do it all for a pittance, which when it is recommended it is increased, they never get all of it. 

Could that be why the expenses were so lax and Byers etc., were offering themselves for hire?

Here’s my deal. 

• Let’s have half the number of MPs and pay them twice the amount of money.  We want quality not quantity.
• But no outside jobs, except perhaps expenses-only non-execs to major companies and organisations in their constituency.
• Put proper non-political staff in the constituency in a fixed office, that is obvious and the first port of call if you have a problem. If the MP changes, the office doesn’t.
• E-mail, SMS and other access to MPs or their offices.
• Give MPs a free and secret vote, so they are no longer party hacks. After all they are our MPs and not the parties.
• Free first-class rail travel to and from the constituency and sensible expenses for second homes if required.

We need a Parliament for the twentieth century, let alone the twenty-first.

March 23, 2010 - Posted by AnonW | World | Politics