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** We need to change the rules on second jobs
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** Our evidence to the Parliamentary Standards Committee
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Alex Parsons (left) as one of three winesses in the Standards Committee Meeting. The others are Professor David Hine and Rose Whiffen.
mySociety's own Alex Parsons, Dr David Hine of Oxford University
and Rose Whiffen of Transparency International

We think there’s a lot we can do from the outside ([link removed]) to improve how Parliament works — but there are some things that Parliament needs to do for itself.

As part of our WhoFundsThem project ([link removed]) , we made a number of recommendations on how Parliament’s own rules and processes around financial interests could be improved.

And so we were delighted to give evidence to the Standards Committee in their investigation into MPs' outside employment and interests.

You can watch the session on Parliament's website ([link removed]) (with Alex appearing from about 11'30"), or read the transcript here ([link removed]) . It was great to be alongside Rose Whiffen of Transparency International, who was a guest at the WhoFundsThem report launch ([link removed]) and who'll also be speaking at TICTeC ([link removed]) .


** Some of the points Alex made:
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* There is low public approval for MPs having most second jobs and outside interests.
* It is very hard for the general public to understand information about MPs' second jobs because the data in the Register of Interests is not reliable. There are clear ways to improve this (as set out in our report ([link removed]) ).
* Parliament should take more of an interest in ensuring an acceptable quality of data, rather than seeing it as a matter for MPs to individually do a good job.
* While most of the benefit of outside employment is to the MP engaging in it, it is Parliament itself, and all MPs, who suffer from any indication of corruption.

You can read about the evidence in more detail on our blog ([link removed]) .


** What's next?
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The committee’s inquiry is likely to continue for some time before we see any concrete changes.

As for us, we're about to head off to our TICTeC ([link removed]) conference, where we're convening the global civic tech practitioners who are working to strengthen and protect democracy.
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** We're speaking truth to power, with your help
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At certain moments here at mySociety, it feels a lot like we're making a difference. Moving the dial. Feeding into the processes that will make a stronger, better, more transparent democracy for all of us.

This is one of those moments, and it's your support that helps us make it happen. Please do consider making a donation ([link removed]) .
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Image credit: Screenshot from the committee hearing, ** Open Parliament Licence ([link removed])


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