For once I actually believe the Guardian who claim that the new rules on second jobs will only impact 10 MPs.

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Some of us predicted that they would weasel their way out of it, they really think the voters are stupid.

It appears to be so endemic that they can't bring themselves to bring in rules that substantively do anything about it. I had thought that claims of it being a conservative issue were just partisanship but if you see the numbers it's literally almost exclusively tories with second jobs and 'consultancy' roles, raking in millions.

Really though regardless of a persons politics this is terrible as it's a key elements of corporations having a voice that those casting a vote lack, and all that this then leads to. It's a shame that the other thread led to a tonne of 'but what about labour!' from some, as 1) evidentially this presently far more concentrated in one party 2) any changes brought in that clamp down on this impact all parties anyway so such distractions are counterproductive to a solution 3) the core of so many (almost all) problems in society realistically comes down to corporate influence and who's getting paid, so we should be laser focused on it rather than fob it off.

There are some strange ideas about ethics that we simply ignore if it's not 'our lot' (aka a bunch of politicians we align with who still don't give a monkeys toss about us). The PPI contract stuff was nothing short of despicable for instance - this dynamic writ large - and yet it was painted like some kind of made up scandal.

If anything solving problems like this are as important as who we vote for, as money and jobs for influence only seeks to silence the voice of the people and drain money by the billion from the tax payer without us getting much of anything to show for it.

Great post, and completely agree - I find many Tory-voters apathy to this, and indeed the PPE stuff, nothing short of disgraceful - to me, these issues should transcend your personal politics. This isn't being a bit wasteful, or making a wrong decision, it's overt, deliberate corruption, and no amount of whatabouttery is going to convince me I shouldn't be outraged by it.

And before someone tells me "they're all at it", it's simply not true on the same scale and quantity.

This Tory government have spent more every year that they've been in power than any year that the last Labour government were in power.

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Everything you post is just based on lazy stereotypes with no independent thinking or research isn't it?

And there is a good reason for that, as you know full well.
Frankly, I'm not interested in party politics.

I vote for the least worst option and sadly, there are only two viable choices, one of which is unelectable.

This Tory government have spent more every year that they've been in power than any year that the last Labour government were in power.

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Everything you post is just based on lazy stereotypes with no independent thinking or research isn't it?