By Scunthorpe MP responds to second jobs row
Scunthorpe MP Holly Mumby-Croft has responded to questions following the recent row amongst MP’s regarding them taking second jobs.
Following the scandal surrounding former MP Owen Paterson, the conversation has now turned to whether or not MPs should have second jobs.
The Prime Minister recently shared plans to restrict MPs from taking on second jobs as political consultants or lobbyists.
The plans would also limit the amount of hours MPs can work in their second jobs, with 15 hours a week being the current suggestion.
Speaking to Gi Media, Holly shared her views on MP’s having second jobs.
What is your personal opinion on MPs having second jobs? Are you for or against this and why?
Personally, I don’t think I’d have time to get a second job. As a (relatively) new MP, there’s a lot I’m still learning and a lot I want to get done for Scunthorpe – it’s been a pretty full-on two years!
I’m not against MP’s doing some things outside of Parliament in principle, some colleagues from across the house have continued practising as doctors, NHS workers, running family businesses, some even present shows on the radios or write books etc. This is a matter for individuals to balance and many have successfully done this – but frankly, I can’t see it affecting me personally as I do not have a second job.
Have you ever had a second job during your time serving as the MP for Scunthorpe? If so, what is/was it?
When I was first elected I stood down from my position as Health Scrutiny Chair on North Lincs Council. I stayed in my position as a Ward Councillor for the following 2 months (until February 2020) as my late ward colleague Cllr Ivan Glover was seriously ill and under those circumstances, I wanted to continue to support him and our residents, but I didn’t keep the money – I gave my councillor’s allowance from that couple of months to charities and community organisations in Scunthorpe. I haven’t had any other second jobs.
How would you say that constituents generally feel about MPs having second jobs?
“To be honest, I haven’t heard a lot about second jobs from local people, I suspect it’s because my constituents know that I don’t have a second job.
“I’ve heard from a number of residents who wrote to me about my decision to break a three-line-whip to do what I thought was the right thing for our area on the Leadsom amendment.
“It’s always incredibly difficult to vote against your own Party and I was very grateful for the support of those local residents who got in touch. Representing my home town of Scunthorpe and its surrounding villages is my number one priority and more than enough to keep me busy!
