MPs must put their constituents first

THE question on the mind of every MP over the last three weeks is whether second jobs should be allowed; even the prime minister got asked at COP26.

Once again, some MPs have brought parliament’s reputation into disrepute over the issue of sleaze and “standards in public life”.

With no real sign of a breakthrough, with time wasted on something, when politicians should jolly well know that their first duty is to serve constituents.

The “honourable members” are divided. Those with lucrative contracts remain vehemently against it.

They claim it serves a valuable purpose, giving them a first-hand understanding of real-life issues, enabling them to ascertain the pros and cons of legislation.

Whereas some MPs have the audacity to say they “are human beings who have families and responsibilities” and need second jobs to top up their £82,000 a year salary plus generous expenses allowance. Whilst leaving constituents finding it hard to feel sorry for those MPs turning a blind eye to the poisonous world of sleaze because the public always ends up paying the price for corruption.

On what grounds can constituents expect MPs to sort out “standards in public life”? Because even new rules, if brought into force with actual legislation, such as compelling MPs to keep outside work within “reasonable” limits, will make no difference since it will be open to abuse.

More importantly, politicians should bear in mind no one has forced them to become MPs and ask themselves if they would be paid enormous sums for part-time work if they were not an MP! And if some MPs think their salary is not enough to live on, they can always make better use of their talent (s) in the real world. No one will begrudge them earning vast amounts if they are worth it, but they should work full-time, not while being an MP.

Whereas those MPs trying to justify that second jobs serve a useful purpose in helping them scrutinise legislation then; is for the birds. Perhaps they should interact more with constituents instead of listening only to wealthy donors, lobbyists and party activists.

Not forgetting politicians have an army of special advisers (SpAds), top-class lawyers, economists, accountants and other professionals at their disposal, all paid for by the tax-payer.

Likewise, no one will stop an MP committed to serving public duty from spending time working in their field of expertise for free to gain real-life experience to help perform legislative responsibilities.

It would be wonderful if MPs spent their proposed 15 hours a week second job in the public sector or food banks. Now that would be a very “honourable” act.

Given the swirl of accusations flying around, even the convention of calling each other “honourable member” seems more dated than ever.

Greed has become the lifeblood of politics, more so now than before, while the electorate pays the consequences of policy U- turns and broken pledges.

The voters should “take back control” by voting for more accountable politicians instead of those making a mockery of democracy.

Dr Hassan B. Akberali By email