New analysis on MPs’ second jobs reveals a wealth of vested interests – when their only interest should be their constituents
Britain is a democracy with caveats. We have a “free press”, but most newspapers are the tools of wealthy oligarchs to fervently advance their political agenda. Almost all adults have the right to vote, but the affluent and big business wield far more power than the average citizen through political donations, lobbying and sheer economic might. And – as new Guardian analysis underlines – our democracy remains corrupted by a “revolving door” between the world of politics and big business, despite promises by the government to cap MPs’ income from second jobs in the wake of the Owen Paterson lobbying scandal.
That MPs have amassed £10m from second jobs and freelance work in the last year should still shock, even factoring in that around half of this sum ended up in Boris Johnson’s bank account. From the rightwing TV channels offering well paid media gigs, to lucrative consultancies with property developers and investment firms, being a parliamentarian can be a springboard for considerable financial advancement.
Owen Jones is a Guardian columnist
