Steve Crook

I would have thought that some of the older ones would have worked for a living. Although I think that a full time union job might still be considered to be "in politics". And as there aren't that many older MPs left I think I'm probably still correct in saying that the vast majority haven't had any experience of the real world.

I would say that a "real" job is one that isn't directly connected to politics, or a senior position on a Quango or charity. A job that you get by yourself, not one that you're nominated or voted for. What the man on the Clapham omnibus would call "working for a living".

Blair had a career as a barrister, but for how long? He graduated in 1976 and became a pupil barrister. But he was working for the Labour party and on the lookout for a seat from when he left university. He did occasionally practise as a barrister - but not very successfully. He became an MP in 1983.

Steve

CaptainWaggett

I know lots of full-time union workers. I would disagree most strongly that it isn't a 'real' job, whatever that might be. Mostly it has nothing to do with politics but is about local casework. In some ways it's no different from being a social worker! As for the 'real world' - what does that mean. I'm middle-class, went to private school and then university and have spent the last 20 years in local government. I also use the Clapham omnibus . Am I in the 'real world'. No, I don't work in a factory or mine but I still work in the 'real world' though I'm sure many people (possibly even on these boards) would think that working for a local council isn't actually a 'real job'.

As a matter of interest is sitting in front of your PC at home all day a real job ?

I havemany issues with the way Parliament is run but the two representatives for the borough I work in (one Labour, one Tory) seem to have quite a good reputation for actually helping their constituents with their problems. So they can stay!

Freddy

Steve, you mean working for a charity in the early 70's that is committed to helping children and families out of poverty isn't a 'real' job?

I couldn't find who the other 'charity organiser' is and as for Aitken I rather enjoyed the irony of his quote on work experience and your ideas that all MPs should have some.

Freddy

Steve Crook

I've worked for local government in the past so I know that although there's a fair bit of politics involved in many things that you have to do, it is still a real job - usually for not much money either.

With local government work, union work and charity work I think there's a big difference between those that actually do the work that makes a difference and those that get elected or nominated to a higher position and don't do much for their high salary and padded expense account.

I'm sure there are some people in those positions that are dedicated and do a good job, like there are some MPs that are dedicated and do a good job. But I'm talking about percentages here, not about individuals.

Some people contribute to the greater good - many don't.

Hmm, social workers. There's another group, along with lawyers, where I'd query if most of them contribute to the greater good

And no, I don't consider sitting in front of a PC all day as I do to be a real job. I enjoy what I do too much for it to be considered work. But I'm talking about percentages, not individuals

Steve

Steve Crook

I would say that those that actually did something towards helping children and families out of poverty were doing a real job. But you said that Frank Field was a director. Most directorships given to politicians by charities are just to get their name on the notepaper. They don't do any real work.

Sorry, I mis-read it. I did write it as 2 out of 646 at first, then for some reason I thought that you had said that Fabricant was on a charity board as well so I changed it. Although he was appointed director of the International Broadcasting Electronics and Investment Group in 1979, remaining there until 1991. But since 1987 (possibly earlier) he had been contesting parliamentary seats, Labour ones at first before he changed sides. So how long did he spend at that directorship? And as his qualifications are in Economics one wonders if that organisation he's a director of is more an investment group than an electronics company

A shining example of the members of the Westminster village. The only difference is that he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar - and then he perjured himself trying to wriggle out of it. A shining example with his simple sword of truth and the trusty shield of British fair play

Steve

Marky B

Why,for a small island,do we need over 600 MP's?
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

Lord Lucan

Freddy, I've just noticed your a Manxman, do you lot still birch hooligans?

Fellwanderer

Why not? It works out at not a great deal less than one for every 100 000 citizens.

All the best
FELL

A signature is no substitute for a life

CaptainWaggett

I have no idea what percentage of MPs are altruists but then nor does anyone else. Same percentage as the rest of us, I'd imagine. Which makes them representative! But I'm curious about this 'real job' business. Perhaps there should be an approved list of professions that MPs should have to have undertaken for at least 10 years before being allowed to stand for parliament? . I don't know of any union or charity workers who do little for a large salary and padded expense account. It sounds a racket I'd like to get into!

Of course, if people are really unhappy about the present bunch in Westminster, there is always the option of getting involved since it seems to be a very desirable job with plenty of opportunities for getting one's snout in the trough

Marky B

Fair comment. I was thinking of in reflection of the USA,who has only 100 senators.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

CaptainWaggett

435 Congressmen as well and presumably plenty of local councillors. Don't the US have a lot more elected representatives than us because people often get a vote for the local school inspector or chief of refuse collection? (assuming the Simpsons hasn't lied to me!).

Freddy

Frank Field was a Director of the Child Poverty Action Group for ten years before he became an MP in 1979 and a director of the Low Pay Unit for 6 years. He left both in 79 and 80 respectively.


According to his biog. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. It appears politics was in his blood even as a child. Has obviously worked very hard to achieve his goals.

I know you are talking about percentages Steve but for me you simply cannot judge 646 individuals by the actions of this, as you quite rightly point out, felon and a minority of others who abuse the trust that is given to them.

Regards
Freddy

Freddy

Consider yourself lucky MarkyB, we have 24 elected members of the House of Keys with a population of 70,000, which is 1:3,000.


Freddy

Freddy

No Lord Lucan, the last official birching was in 1975. A year later it became a Human Rights issue.

Someone said to me the Birch works because he remembered being in the Courthouse when a youth who was so scared of being birched a second time he jumped through the court room window into the street below.

I couldn't see the logic of that to be honest.

Freddy

Harleybloke

Surely, it's a simple issue. If M.P.'s are making 'legit' claims, they've nothing to hide and we should be able to access the info. If they're 'taking things to the limit' we should be able to see that as well.

If I claimed for stuff at work, my boss wants proof it's a legit expense.

Isn't that all we want to see for all 650 of them?

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!