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Members of Parliament are set to debate the rules on second jobs on Thursday, as pressure mounts for tougher limits on MPs’ outside interests.
The debate comes in the wake of recent scandals and a manifesto pledge from the Labour Government to clamp down on MPs outside earnings that could pose conflicts of interest.
Several high-profile cases have brought the issue of lobbyist MPs into focus in recent years, leading to growing concerns over conflicts of interest and the ability of MPs to fully serve their constituents while moonlighting as paid campaigners.
Tom Brake, director of the non-partisan campaign group Unlock Democracy and a former Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader of the House of Commons, has called for immediate action on the issue.
“The most recent second jobs’ scandals – notably Owen Paterson’s lobbying – turned MPs’ second jobs into a sleaze story which inflicted great damage to the reputation of MPs, Parliament and democracy,” he said.
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Unlock Democracy has outlined a series of proposals aimed at addressing the issue. These include:
- An immediate end to MPs being paid parliamentary advisors, strategists or policy consultants.
- Publication of contracts for any outside employment, with appropriate privacy redactions.
- A cap on extra earnings at half an MP’s salary (approximately £45,000).
- A limit of 20 hours per week on time spent on outside interests.
The campaigners argue that these measures would ensure that MPs’ primary focus remains on their parliamentary duties, to “ensure that their second job never becomes their first”.
The Government, which included commitments to address the issue of second jobs in its election manifesto, is now faced with the challenge of working out what the reforms will look like – and potentially facing down lobbying efforts over any plans.
Its manifesto promised that a new Modernisation Committee would consider restrictions on MPs’ second jobs to “prevent MPs from taking up roles that stop them serving their constituents and the country”. This is set to be launched on Thursday.
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The committee’s precise remit is yet to be confirmed, but it is understood that it will:
- Conduct further work on MPs’ second jobs.
- Review sanctions for misconduct by MPs.
- Consider ways to enhance pre-legislative scrutiny.
The committee will be comprised of 14 MPs and will be chaired by House of Commons Leader Lucy Powell.
Speaking to the Guardian, Powell said that the test for second jobs will be “putting your constituents first” and expressed a desire to “turn the page” on recent scandals involving MPs’ outside interests.
Powell also suggested that the committee could examine the issue of gifts and hospitality received by MPs. That may well cover gifts received by the Prime Minister.
Keir Starmer has received £49,034 in free gifts and hospitality, much of it for football matches, between June 2023 and late May 2024, according to analysis by Byline Times.
Also on Thursday, MPs are likely to act swiftly to close a ‘loophole’ in the parliamentary code of conduct, that currently allows MPs to receive payment for advising on public policy and how Parliament works.
However, there are indications that the Government may be reconsidering the extent of the clampdown.
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Some have previously argued that a total ban on second jobs could deter individuals with valuable professional experience from entering politics. Unlock Democracy says the its proposals attempt to strike a balance, acknowledging that some MPs may need to maintain professional qualifications or get paid for media appearances.
The organisation suggests that its proposed level of outside involvement would be within “reasonable limits” previously considered by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
It argues that these limits would set a threshold beyond which the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards could assess whether an MP’s ability to perform their public role is being negatively affected by their outside interests.
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But the group believes that voters cannot wait for drawn-out reviews and want to see action now.
“MPs don’t need to wait for the Modernisation Committee to be established to take action,” Brake told Byline Times. “They should immediately cease any paid parliamentary advisor, strategist or consultancy roles and publish the contracts for any outside employment.”
The case of former Conservative MP Owen Paterson, who was found to have breached lobbying rules, led to a major public outcry and ultimately resulted in his resignation. Then Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the affair also contributed to his own downfall.
Other high-profile recent cases of second jobs and lobbying scandals range from former Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! reality TV appearance, to Nadine Dorries’ TalkTV gig as a Conservative MP, and Scott Benton offering to lobby for gambling investors.
Unlock Democracy has written to the chair of the new Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee, outlining its proposals and offering to discuss them further. A public letter is circulating for backers of an extensive overhaul to sign.
Second Jobs Motions Going to MPs on Thursday 25 July
Code of Conduct
Leader of the Commons, Lucy Powell MP
“With effect from 25 October… the Guide to the Rules relating to the conduct of Members [will] be amended to leave out [allowing]: a) advice on public policy and public affairs; b) advice in general terms about how Parliament works.
[This would effectively ban MPs giving paid advice on policy/public affairs or how Parliament works from 25th October]
Modernisation Committee
Leader of the Commons, Lucy Powell MP
“There shall be a Select Committee, to be called the Modernisation Committee, to consider reforms to House of Commons procedures, standards, and working practices; and to make recommendations thereon;
“The Committee shall consist of not more than 14 Members, of which 4 will be the quorum of the Committee;
“Members shall be nominated to the Committee by a motion in the name of the Leader of the House;
“Unless the House otherwise orders, each Member nominated to the Committee shall continue to be a member of it for the remainder of the Parliament;
“The Committee shall have power to send for persons, papers and records; to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House; to adjourn from place to place; to report from time to time; and to appoint specialist advisers either to supply information which is not readily available or to elucidate matters of complexity within the committee’s order of reference.”
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Byline Times Analysis of Keir Starmer’s Register of Interests – June 2023-June 2024
| Value (£) – Highest to Lowest | Date Received | Name of Donor | Description |
| 16,200 | 17/04/2024 | Lord Waheed Ali | Work clothing |
| 4,500 | 24/08/2023 | Crownhawk Properties (trading as the LCV Group) | Accommodation for four people in Gower |
| 3,716 | 03/06/2023 | Jockey Club Racecourses | Private box for four people at Epsom Downs Racecourse, including catering and admission tickets |
| 3,000 | 12/03/2024 | Premier League | Five tickets with hospitality to Arsenal vs Porto |
| 2,500 | 28/04/2024 | Tottenham Hotspur Ltd | Five tickets and hospitality to Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal |
| 2,485 | 29/04/2024 | Lord Waheed Alli | Multiple pairs of glasses |
| 2,400 | 21/10/2023 | Cain International UK Services Ltd | Two tickets with hospitality to Chelsea vs Arsenal football match |
| 2,142 | 21/08/2023 | Crystal Palace Football Club | Three tickets with hospitality for Crystal Palace v Arsenal |
| 2,000 | 11/02/2024 | West Ham United Football Club | Two tickets for pre-match hospitality in the Chairman’s Lounge and to the match |
| 1,790 | 12/05/2024 | Manchester United | Two tickets in the Directors’ Box (including dining) at Old Trafford for Manchester United v Arsenal FC |
| 1,488 | 20/04/2024 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club | Four tickets and hospitality to Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 1,000 | 04/11/2023 | Teescraft Engineering Ltd | Four tickets with hospitality for Newcastle United v Arsenal |
| 937 | 01/06/2023 | Matthew Moulding | Hotel accommodation for four people for one night, including breakfast |
| 900 | 31/03/2024 | Manchester City Football Club | Hospitality and match tickets for two people to Manchester City vs Arsenal |
| 820 | 02/03/2024 | Norwich City Football Club | Four match tickets and hospitality |
| 800 | 29/08/2023 | Swansea City AFC | Five tickets with hospitality for Swansea City v Bournemouth |
| 800 | 10/12/2023 | Global Media and Entertainment Ltd | Four tickets to the Jingle Bell Ball with hospitality |
| 698 | 01/06/2023 | SJM Concerts | Four tickets with hospitality to a Coldplay Concert at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester |
| 500 | 06/04/2024 | Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club | Four tickets and hospitality to Brighton vs Arsenal |
| 358 | 08/05/2024 | National Theatre | Four tickets to see Nye plus dinner |
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Josiah Mortimer also writes the On the Ground column, exclusive to the print edition of Byline Times.
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