FT: MPs face bleak futures after expenses scandal

[HairyArsedBloke]

Linky

“Labour politicians are going to have a very tough time indeed . . . I would be exceedingly surprised if more than literally one or two of them end up with a meaningful PLC position,” said Peter Waine, co-founder of Hanson Green, which specialises in finding non-executives. “They are more discredited than some [bank non-execs] – and that’s saying something.”

Not all good though ....

Some former Labour ministers have built portfolios of outside jobs, exploiting contacts and experience gained in government. There are suspicions some of the six cabinet ministers who resigned this week did so with an eye to their careers.

Former cabinet ministers must wait at least three months after leaving government before taking an outside job. To resign now allows them to draw their MP’s salary in this purdah period – rather than being jobless in the months after a Conservative victory.

Lord Mandelson has said of John Hutton’s decision to quit the cabinet: “I know exactly what his future plans are and they don’t sit comfortably with continuing as defence secretary.” Friends of Mr Hutton on Tuesday rejected any suggestion he had a job lined up and said he had not discussed his plans with the peer.

[sweetandsour]

Not all go though ....

Conservative ministers were just the same in lining up jobs outside of parliament once their ministerial careers were over.

You could argue though that most of those already had their contacts before joining parliament, not because of it, which doesn't seem quite so sleazy.

Anyone who can claim "moat cleaning" as an expense has probably not gone into parliament for the money.

[expat]

Lord Mandelson has said of John Hutton’s decision to quit the cabinet: “I know exactly what his future plans are and they don’t sit comfortably with continuing as defence secretary.”

So sleazy even Mandelson disapproves. Wow.