One Job or Two?

jambutty · 30-10-2008, 18:14

Earlier this evening Chris Evans was interviewing Mark Lancaster Conservative MP for North East Milton Keynes, who is the Shadow Minister for International Development, where it was revealed that Mark Lancaster was also a major in the TA. He also worked in the family fireworks business, although this activity is registered as shareholdings in Kimbolton Fireworks Ltd and Fizz Fireworks Ltd (not trading). He is also the unpaid parliamentary advisor to the Royal Society of Chemistry.

My question is simple enough.

Should an MP have additional jobs paid or unpaid?

katex · 30-10-2008, 18:26

I don't see why not Jambutty .. as long as his job as MP takes priority over other paid activities, and declares his interest.

He was also a Bomb Disposal expert which fits in very well with the Fireworks company ..

Had also been over to Afghanistan and Bosnia during the Summer break in his capacity with the TA.

Not just women that can multi-task obviously.

jambutty · 30-10-2008, 18:51

Much obliged for supplying the additional information. I was hoping that someone would because I didn’t want to hog the thread. I believe that you should always leave something out that a response can refer to.

However, I’m thinking of “conflicts of interest”. There have been many calls to have fireworks banned because of the way they are misused. So should it ever come to pass that Parliament is discussing the banning of the manufacture, importing and sale of fireworks it would put Mark Lancaster in an awkward position.

However there is a much more serious point. Can anyone serve more than one master? Don’t forget that we, the electorate, ‘employ’ our MP to represent us in Parliament.

If an MP can find the time to do another paid job it really means that s/he is underemployed as an MP. This implies that an MP could serve a larger constituency without being overworked and that means fewer MP’s.

Eric · 30-10-2008, 19:21

I think that there are some people who have a larger capacity for work than others ... and as long as there is no conflict of interest, it should be ok.

katex · 30-10-2008, 19:56

Expect that there are lots of differently situated MP's .. the ones that were waiters (like Prescott), and the ones that had business interests and could leave these to his/her employees .. just overseeing.

Would be interesting to see a list of what they all did before becoming MP's, and if they put their job aside (as a low paid worker would have done), or carried on in a smaller capacity. Or are still carrying on as normal.

What did Greg Pope do by the way ?

MargaretR · 30-10-2008, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Expect that there are lots of differently situated MP's .. the ones that were waiters (like Prescott), and the ones that had business interests and could leave these to his/her employees .. just overseeing.

Would be interesting to see a list of what they all did before becoming MP's, and if they put their job aside (as a low paid worker would have done), or carried on in a smaller capacity. Or are still carrying on as normal.

What did Greg Pope do by the way ?

I think he was a teacher

K-P · 30-10-2008, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

What did Greg Pope do by the way ?

I thought he made pancakes for a living... is that not right? Or is there another reason for his nickname?

Neil · 30-10-2008, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by K-P

I thought he made pancakes for a living... is that not right? Or is there another reason for his nickname?

Go on seeing as I am stupid I will ask - What is his nick name?

Eric · 30-10-2008, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

Go on seeing as I am stupid I will ask - What is his nick name?

My guess would be "Flipper"

.... however, I don't know anything about the guy.

MargaretR · 30-10-2008, 21:32

I guess its Gregg the baker
juvenile humour

hedman2003 · 30-10-2008, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

Expect that there are lots of differently situated MP's .. the ones that were waiters (like Prescott), and the ones that had business interests and could leave these to his/her employees .. just overseeing.

Would be interesting to see a list of what they all did before becoming MP's, and if they put their job aside (as a low paid worker would have done), or carried on in a smaller capacity. Or are still carrying on as normal.

What did Greg Pope do by the way ?

Greg was employed as an Education Welfare officer working for LCC in the Hyndburn Area

Royboy39 · 30-10-2008, 21:41

Trying my best not to be flippant...We heard much about 'Time and Motion Studies'
in the past and that resulted in many people losing their jobs as surplus to requirements.
I wonder if someone with a clipboard followed MPs would they be judged as value for money?
I am all for experience in Government especially experts in their field, after all the Government spend millions on advisers or specialist's.
This MP is a very well educated man with qualifications. If he has the capability of running between jobs then so be it.
When you Look at the likes of Dennis Skinner who sits in Parliament every sitting trying to be funny and doing ****** all else it makes you wonder where the priorities lie?

garinda · 31-10-2008, 01:01

Slightly off thread, so apologies, but this week's new story about the two M.P.s named David Davis, and them being mixed up, tickled me.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...of-racism.html

The National Black Police Association were expecting Andrewb's mate, liberal softy David Davis, when they in fact got David Davis, M.P. for Monmouth, who addressed the conference and accused them of being racist, and had to be escorted from the building!

Neil · 31-10-2008, 01:28

He did of course speak the truth.

garinda · 31-10-2008, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

He did of course speak the truth.

He did, and they are.

Someone from the association was on the radio yesterday, saying they weren' racist at all, as white officers can become 'part' members, just not full members, like their black, asian, or Middle Eastern, fellow officers.

Utter bunkum.