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Parliamentary Second Jobs Controversy
The United Kingdom parliamentary second jobs controversy of 2021 began with Owen Paterson and his lobbying and breach of Commons advocacy rules, which led to his resignation on 5 November. It was in turn followed by extensive press coverage and debate about the second jobs of other MPs, particularly Geoffrey Cox. Cox, a former Attorney General, registered a total income of £970,000 in 2020, for 705 hours of legal services. An opinion piece in ''The Telegraph'' describes how Cox has always disclosed his earnings and that his constituents re-elect him with "ever increasing majorities every time his name appears on the ballot paper". According to ''The Guardian'', the register of MPs' interests shows that more than 90 Conservative MPs undertake paid work in addition to their job in parliament, along with three Labour MPs. According to the BBC, "more than 200 MPs received earnings in the last year on top of their £81,932 annual salary. The extra earnings range from £50 a year to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Owen Paterson
Owen William Paterson (born 24 June 1956) is a British former politician who served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 2010 to 2012 and Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs from 2012 to 2014 under Prime Minister David Cameron. A member of the Conservative Party (UK), Conservative Party, he served as Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament (MP) for North Shropshire (UK Parliament constituency), North Shropshire from 1997 United Kingdom general election, 1997 until his resignation in 2021. Paterson was also the President of the Northern Ireland Conservatives. Paterson was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet of David Cameron in 2007 as Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. During the formation of the Cameron–Clegg coalition, Coalition Government in 2010, he was appointed to the Cabinet of the United Kingdom, Cabinet as Northern Ireland Secretary, where he remained until being moved to Secretary of State for Environment, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Geoffrey Cox (British Politician)
Sir Charles Geoffrey Cox (born 30 April 1960) is a British Conservative Party politician and barrister who has been the member of parliament (MP) for Torridge and Tavistock, previously Torridge and West Devon, since 2005. Cox worked as a barrister from 1982 onwards and was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 2003, two years before his election to Parliament. He served as Attorney General for England and Wales and Advocate General for Northern Ireland under Theresa May and Boris Johnson from 2018 to 2020. In January 2023 it was reported that Cox had, since the 2019 general election, earnt more than £2 million in addition to his salary as an MP – the second-highest amount of any MP, with only former prime minister Theresa May having earnt more. Early life and education Charles Geoffrey Cox was born on 30 April 1960 in Wroughton, Wiltshire to Michael, a Royal Artillery Officer, and Diane. He was educated at King's College, Taunton, a private school, before studyin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Register Of Interests
A Register of Interests is a record kept, usually by a government body, of financial interests of its members. The register documents interests which may potentially unethically or unlawfully influence members' official duties. The term is in use in most Commonwealth countries. Jurisdiction Australia In 2019 Australia, it required "MPs to declare shares, directorships, real estate, gifts and more to demonstrate they represent their constituents without bias." United Kingdom The UK has had a register of interests since 1974. The UK register was reviewed and enhanced after the Cash for Questions scandal of 1994. This led to the Nolan enquiry which gave birth to the Report on Standards in Local Government. All holders of public office in the UK are bound to this code. The Parliament In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the El ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Controversies Regarding COVID-19 Contracts In The United Kingdom
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, the British government decided in March 2020 to rapidly place contracts and recruit a number of individuals. Shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) were a particular political issue for the second Johnson ministry. This led to the awarding of a number of contracts without a competitive tendering process, and friends of political figures and people who had made political donations were quickly given contracts. As a result, accusations of cronyism were made against the Conservative government, and in September 2024 the new Labour government announced a commissioner would be appointed and investigations begun into any criminal activity. Shortages of PPE and equipment Since the 2007 H5N1 influenza outbreak, National Health Service (NHS) trusts had conducted simulations of influenza-like pandemics. Russell King, an NHS resilience manager, said; "the Cabinet Office had identified the availability and dist ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
2021 Downing Street Refurbishment Controversy
The financing of the 2020 refurbishment of the flat above 11 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, became the subject of a controversy in 2021 when allegations were made in the press as to whether an undisclosed loan was used initially to help finance it. An Electoral Commission inquiry found that the Conservative Party had not accurately reported donations to the party and imposed a £17,800 fine on the party. The commission also said that the full cost of the works had been repaid in full in March 2021. The Conservative Party had said at the time that the Prime Minister had met the full cost of the works. Background Traditionally, the British Prime Minister resides at 10 Downing Street and the Chancellor resides at 11 Downing Street. However, starting with Tony Blair there has been a reversal of this tradition, as the private residential apartment above 11 Downing Street is larger than the one above 10 Downing Street. Following his e ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
