Healthcare Republic reports today that the ban on MPs’ second jobs is ‘short-sighted’ and will end a valuable contribution to parliament from GPs, according to GP/MP Dr Howard Stoate.

Well, perhaps MPs should have focussed a little more on the consequences of their actions when they overclaimed their expenses and voluntarily repaid £500,000.

‘The last thing we need is people who have spent a few years at a think-tank after university coming and filling politics,’ argues Dr Stoate.

Well, I would have thought the last thing that parliament actually needs is more of the same: politicians grumbling about low pay and supplementing their income through dubious means. Politicians are lawmakers, if they can’t convince the public they should be paid more they shouldn’t be trying to enhance their expenses through backdoor means.

One point I would agree with Dr Stoate on is that it ‘would be to the detriment of the House if GPs were not represented’. However, it’s very likely that GPs will be represented.

They just won’t be practising GPs. What Dr Stoate seems to forget is that those former GPs hanging up their stethoscopes to become MPs won’t have their memories wiped the moment they step through the doors of parliament. Their general practice experience will still inform the contributions they make to policy and debate.

Surely surgeries with constituents should be enough to inform them about how the NHS is currently working and all other matters on which they might be required to have an opinion as a member of parliament? After all, do GPs have to work extended hours to know what a mess PCTs have made of taking over services from them?

When MPs argue why they should be allowed to have second jobs I always think perhaps the public isn’t quite getting the value for money from them that they should be. Perhaps we should have fewer MPs representing larger constituencies at less of a drain on the public purse? 

I’ve been corresponding with my MP recently about the unbelievable decision by Southeastern to cut – yes, cut – the number of already overcrowded rush-hour trains in and out of London. The result? Two letters and no progress.

Should MPs be allowed to have second jobs?  Or do they only have themselves to blame for losing that privilege?

What do you think?