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We think there’s a lot we can do from the outside to improve how Parliament works — but there are some things that Parliament needs to do for itself.
As part of our WhoFundsThem project, 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 (with Alex appearing from about 11'30"), or read the transcript here. It was great to be alongside Rose Whiffen of Transparency International, who was a guest at the WhoFundsThem report launch and who'll also be speaking at TICTeC.
Some of the points Alex made:
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There is low public approval for MPs having most second jobs and outside interests.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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