UK Parliament Votes on Tightened Rules Imposed on MPs with Second Jobs

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last Tuesday about the government’s plan to tighten the rules on what Parliament Ministers can take on as second jobs. Parliament took immediate action as voting took place last Wednesday as the Labour Party proposed to ban second jobs amid allegations of sleaze or immoral behavior among Conservative MPs, specifically the most recent, which is that Conservative MP Owen Paterson’s case.

MP Parkinson was found to have used his position in lobbying for two of his corporate empooyers. After the scandal broke out, and strong outcries from opposition MPs and some Conservatives, Mr Paterson resigned from his job as Minister of Parliament PM Johnson said he believed that Parkinson had broken the rules, describing the sleaze behavior as “extraordinary,”

In the debate to ban second job rules called by Labour, Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said a ban is not necessary because it’s important for MPs maintain connections outside of the Parliament. That way they can draw on the insight and expertise derived from that experiences offered by the world beyond the confines of the parliament.

 

Although the Labour MPs dismissed the argument that MPs need to do extra work to gain real world experience, contending that serving as an MP should be a full time job. Still, the Labour Party’s proposed ban on second jobs was shot down at the House of Commons.

New Rules on Second Jobs for MPs

The new rules on second jobs do not prohibit MPs from earning extra money to augment their £81,932 annual salary; or for the more noble purpose of gaining greater experience from the world beyond parliament.

MPs can work as professionals in the fields of law or medicine or as consultants or strategists for private companies. However, they should not lobby or carry out actions aimed at altering government policies for the benefit of their employers or benefactors. They should not use the facilities of the House of Commons in performing work on behalf of clients.

Moreover, MPs have to register their outside earnings. If they take part in parliament activities or debate in matters involving or affecting their clients, they should declare such interest in doing so. Any breach of the Parliament’s code of conduct calls for necessary punishment, including suspension. Commons.

Justice Ginsburg’s Death Sparks Another Partisan Political Conflict

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s battle with cancer is over but her death has sparked another partisan issue, in relation to her replacement in the Supreme Court. The question of whether the position left vacant by Justice Bader should set off before the November general election would not be an issue if the Republicans had not made a different ruling in 2016.

The filibuster ruling had barred then incumbent President Obama from appointing a replacement for Justice Anthony Scalia after his untimely demise in February 13, 2016. Being the ruling party in the Senate House, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel, suspended any hearing that would formally confirm President Obama’s appointee (Merrick Garland) as Justice Scalia’s replacement.

Rationale Behind Republican Senate’s 2016 Suspension of Obama’s Exercise of Filling Up Vacant SC Seat

Back then, Mitch McConnel, along with other Republicans were already of a mindset that no other Democratic-appointee will sit as a member of the U.S. Supreme until after the results of the 2016 general election declares a new U.S. president. In his announcement, McConnel argued that the American people have to have a say on who gets to appoint a new member of the Supreme Court.

Now that Justice Ginsberg’s death has turned the tables on the Republicans, Mitch McConnel is making it known that the rule will not apply to Donald Trump, even if there are only less than 45 days before the 2020 November election.

Apparently banking on the strength of the Republucan majority leadership, Mitch McConnel, the ruling party can confirm any appointee Trump names even if the November election is only less than 2 months away. However, with many Republucan senators running for re-election, a resolution to overturn the previous filibuster ruling might not muster majority votes.

However, a reversal of the 2016 filibuster ruling will put Republican senators who are up for re-election, in an awkward position. They will literally be baring themselves as Trumpets (Trump puppets) serving the interest of Donald Trump and not of their constituents.

As it is, Trump has been experiencing defeat in Supreme Court rulings, since even his appointee, Chief Justice John Roberts,had sided with the liberals in protecting former President Obama “Dreamers” program, which basically gives immigrants the right apply for U.S. citizenship.

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