The news that the chairman of the committee of
standards in public life reacted to Osborne`s shameless greed by saying ," We
have not ruled out MPs having second jobs up until now, but we now have to look
again at our rules", is only slightly encouraging (Morning Star,20/03/17). With
far too many MPs having lucrative second jobs, major changes are unlikely: Lord
Bew`s response should be seen as rhetoric rather than serious
policy.
The fact is that the
breed, previously known as "parliamentary watchdogs" is now extinct, with the
much more obedient cockapoo taking over. Of course, editing the London Evening
Standard and being a worthwhile MP is impossible, and Osborne might get a
reprimand, but only because the Tory brand is being brought into
disrepute.
Osborne accepted the editorship without first receiving official
permission from the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, which
apparently scrutinises commercial positions for former ministers. Doesn`t this
reveal the irrelevance of this toothless committee? "Watchdog"
indeed!
The idea that the Independent Parliamentary
Standards Authority is actually the MPs` "expenses watchdog" is equally
misleading, especially judging by its recent decision regarding MPs employing
family members. Members of MPs` families who are already employed will be
allowed to continue to work after 2020, so the widespread practice, despite
receiving widespread criticism from the public, will continue; the ban only
applies after 2020 to "new connected parties"!
That it`s acceptable
for over one hundred MPs to continue to employ relatives at the taxpayers`
expense, even though Ipsa admitted that it`s "out of step with modern employment
practice", beggars belief. Yet more cockapoo
poo!
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