Interest in business likely to benefit MPs’ work
The emergence of the professional politician is a fairly new phenomenon in British politics.
In the past, serving in the House of Commons, or as a councillor, was a civic duty rather than a job. It was not at all unusual for an MP to have another job – in fact, their only job – as well attending Parliament.
Those times have gone, partly because it was essential to give MPs a good salary to prevent only the most wealthy being able to stand.
But the principle, which stated that MPs should have experience of life outside the Commons, remains a good one. Andrew Mitchell, the MP for Sutton Coldfield, is not the only politician to make significant sums of money working elsewhere.
Some of the MPs who are forced to reveal details of outside earnings in the near future will come from the Labour and Liberal Democrat benches. It is not only Tories who have interests to declare.
Politicians will probably come in for criticism for moonlighting or accepting second jobs.
But, frankly, it is a good thing if MPs continue to play a direct role in life outside the House of Commons.
This doesn’t have to mean earning money. It could mean being a school governor, or supporting the trade union movement.
It could mean continuing to practise law or medicine on a part-time basis. And it could mean holding a directorship, which in some cases could involve considerable payment.
The question which really matters is not how much someone earns but whether they do a good job for their constituents – and whether taking part in activities outside the Commons is a help or a hindrance in that regard. While constituents will make up their own minds about individual MPs, in principle taking a continued interest in business is likely to benefit an MPs’ work.
