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Working for the
constituents I serve is a great honour and a full-time job
It is the greatest
honour to serve as North East Somerset's MP. And I'm determined to do
the best job I can for those I'm proud to represent.
Doing my best means a 100% full-time commitment. Meeting the many and
varied needs of local people and working to improve their lives leaves
no time to do another job outside of Parliament. And, if the people really
matter to you as an MP, then why would you cut the time you spend on them
to cash in on an extra job?
Some argue that doing a different job at the same time makes you a better
MP - what poppycock! It may help to have done a real job before, but surely
not at the same time.
As a keen Freedom of Information campaigner I think it only right that
MPs who take paid outside jobs must now explain how many hours they spend
doing so, and how much extra money they get.
Since being elected 12 years ago, my Parliamentary role is my only job.
As long as I have the privilege of serving the people of North East Somerset
that will remain the case. No ifs, no buts.
Written for
the Somerset
Guardian July 2009
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