Sunday 28 June 2009

David Williams calls for open, honest and accountable politics

“What have you got to hide?” asked David Williams, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Crewe and Nantwich.

David Williams was commenting on reports in The Independent newspaper that Edward Timpson is joining a host of Tory MPs who are resigning their second jobs. New rules due to come in force this Wednesday, 1st July 2009, will force all MPs to declare how much they earn, how many hours they work and what duties they perform in their outside jobs.

David Williams continued, “These Tory MPs have been raking in hundreds of thousand of pounds whilst moonlighting. As soon as they are required to tell us exactly what they’ve been up to, they are desperately dumping their second jobs.

“I have congratulated Mr Timpson on publishing his second home claims when he didn’t have to. But I am puzzled as to why he is so desperate to keep his second job details secret. We know he works for the family firm, but we don’t know how much time spends doing it or how much he earns.”

The House of Commons register of member’s interests shows that Edward Timpson’s remunerated employment is as a consultant retained by Timpson Limited.

David Williams concluded, “Voters are rightly sceptical about MPs at the moment and it is all politicians' responsibility to regain their trust and confidence. Transparency is the only way to clean up politics. The people of Crewe and Nantwich deserve to know.

“I have already promised the voters that if I have the honour of being their elected representative I will be a full-time MP with no second job. My only priority will be to stand up for the people of Crewe and Nantwich.

“It is time that the Tory MP came clean and told us about his other job.”

The Independent article (Sunday 28 June 2009) - MPs in rush to ditch outside jobs as deadline looms

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