Osborne's move

It was announced last week that former Chancellor George Osborne is to become the editor of the London Evening Standard and will work for four days a week.

He insists that he will remain an MP and serve his constituents.

How on earth can this man ever hope to continue as MP and be effective. This is in addition to his role at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management company), where he is an advisor and earns £200,000 a year. So that’s 3 jobs in addition to his high earning speaking engagements.

Is the time right to pass a law to stop our MPs from taking a second, third or fourth job?

Sorry I forgot, to pass a law the MPs have to agree to it and I don’t think they will ever agree to that.

There are many MPs who do have a second job or earn money outside of Parliament (speaking engagements, TV appearances etc), and many who regard their role as MP to be their full time job.

The Parliamentary rules do not prohibit MP’s from taking jobs outside of Parliament, but with this appointment to the London Evening Standard public opinion must tip the scales in-favour of stopping this practice.

Paul Olford, Leytonstone