Simon Danczuk backs Ed Miliband's call for a crackdown on MPs outside earnings

Simon Danczuk MP

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk backs Labour leader Ed Miliband's call to impose a ban on MPs holding outside directorships and consultancies and a cap on outside earnings of around £10,000.

Mr Danczuk's backing comes despite recent revelations that he earned almost £20,000 from the media and the publishers of his book about Cyril Smith between July and December 2014.

http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/94364/simondanczuk-earns-thousands-from-media-work

However, Mr Danczuk's outside earnings are dwarfed by the six figure sums some MPs earn outside Parliament.

Commenting on the proposal, Mr Danczuk said: “It’s clear we need to reform the working arrangements of MPs. It cannot be acceptable that some MPs are working virtually full time in other extremely lucrative jobs. And it can’t be right that some Tories like Malcolm Rifkind are openly saying they have plenty of free time on their hands to do this.

“Moving forward, my view is that part of the solution is to introduce a job description for MPs so they’re held accountable for the work they do. This is especially needed in safe seats. There needs to be a better way of measuring performance and of checking whether MPs are delivering for their electorate through regular surgeries, an office that’s always open, casework and speaking in Parliament on a regular basis.

“If there was more clarity about the role and responsibilities of being an MP I don’t believe politicians would be able to take on other jobs because they wouldn’t have the time.”

It is understood that Mr Miliband is likely to put the ban on MPs second jobs in Labour's manifesto where he says he will consult on proposals to limit the amount of money MPs could earn from outside of Parliament to 10% or 15% of their MP salary – in effect this could limit earning to about £10,000.

Labour has committed to stopping its own MPs having second jobs and is consulting on capping outside earnings. It is now challenging the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to do the same on a voluntary basis only but could consider bringing in legislation to force the new rules on all MPs if Mr Miliband becomes prime minister.

As it currently stands, MPs are allowed to hold directorship and consultancies as long as they declare them in the register of members’ interests and do not take part in paid advocacy on behalf of their clients in Parliament.