Second jobs? Not for Police, just Tory MPs

The Conservatives last week announced that they thought Police officers should be banned from taking second jobs to supplement their income.

Tory MP David Ruffley was quoted as saying: "...the prime responsibility of an officer of the law is to have all their focus and attention on serving. It is hard to see what circumstances would justify having more than one job."

It's great when MPs take such strong, clear, principled stances. I believe exactly the same principle should be applied to MPs who should have more than enough to occupy them in representing their constituents.

Unfortunately, Mr Ruffley isn't someone who practices what he preaches. Here's his declaration from the Register of MPs' interests:

• Adviser on economic affairs to Lotus Asset Management (£15,001-£20,000)
• Adviser to Dentons Pension Management Ltd, giving general strategic business advice. (£25,001-£30,000)
• Adviser to Partnership Group Holdings Limited, giving strategic business advice (£25,001-£30,000)

So on top of his £70,000 MP's salary, Mr Ruffley has not one, not two, but THREE other jobs which combined more than double his income. And here he is telling Police officers on starting salaries of just over £20,000 a year that they can't do as he does (for much lower remuneration).

Conservatives. Hypocrites is too mild a term for them.