Blog

Boris Johnson downplayed the idea of ​​a “revolving door” between Westminster and private companies. Nearly a dozen former MPs working for lobbying firms are reported to still have access to parliament.

As concerns grew over the links between former politicians or officials and private corporations, the Prime Minister defended the civil service, saying there were no “tons of people” “double guarding” from working in Whitehall and private corporations.

“I don’t think people should give the impression that the upper levels of the UK civil service have a lot of people who have two jobs, so to speak – it’s just not true. We have some of the best public services in the world, ”said Johnson during a visit to Gloucestershire.

The i politics newsletter Cut through the noise

“They are fantastic hardworking people, they did a great job during this Covid pandemic apart from everything else, and I just don’t want people to get that impression. That’s just not the case. “

Continue reading

David Cameron’s lobbying scandal reveals the bad connection between Westminster and corporations

His comments came as reports highlighted even more blurred boundaries between politics and business, with former MPs gaining access to parliamentary estate even if they worked for advisory or lobbying firms.

According to The Times, at least ten former politicians who now work for advisory or lobbying firms can enter Parliament’s estate.

They have special Category x passes granted to eligible MPs who have served in Parliament for more than two terms or six years.

The badges give them access to the parliament building to use meeting rooms and dining areas, but do not have to register financial interests or record meetings with politicians.

All former MPs with such ID cards are prohibited from lobbying, but the lack of transparency about the meetings makes it difficult for the authorities to monitor them.

A House of Commons spokesman said: “Former MPs who have served more than two terms in parliament – or six years, whichever is longer – can apply for a passport known as a former member’s passport.

“As with all passport applications, eligibility is subject to rigorous scrutiny and procedures are in place to ensure that passport applications can only be made by those with an approved requirement.”

If a former member is found to have violated passport-related rules, including a ban on lobbying, this will be brought to the attention of the Administrative Committee, which has the power to issue or withdraw the passport.

Continue reading

What is the Greensill Scandal? A timeline of David Cameron’s previous lobbying series – and what that means

According to the UK Parliament’s website, there are 267 former MPs in possession of “former Members” cards.

The Times identified at least ten former MPs with parliamentary cards who work for companies or organizations that lobby or provide political advice.

These include:

• Ivor Caplin, former Labor MP who heads the Ivor Caplin deliberation
• Sir Nick Clegg, former Deputy Prime Minister who now heads Facebook’s global affairs
• Michael Dugher, a former Labor MP who works for the Betting and Gambling Council
• Alan Duncan, former Tory Minister who is now the non-executive director of Fujairah Refining Ltd. is.
• Sir Michael Fallon, former Tory Minister who now works for Genel Energy oil company
• Stewart Jackson, former Tory MP who works for his own Political Insight company
• Chris Leslie, a former Secretary of Labor with the Credit Services Association
• Anne Milton, Former Tory Secretary, City and Guilds Group and Pearson UK advisor
• Phil Woolas, former Secretary of Labor who now works for UK Partnerships consultancy