Comments on: Gove MP makes £1,250 an hour on the side http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/ Left-wing news, opinion and activism Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:29:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Liberal Conspiracy » For Boris Johnson, £250,000 is “chicken feed” http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-53898 Liberal Conspiracy » For Boris Johnson, £250,000 is “chicken feed” Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:26:01 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-53898 [...] Anthony Steen MP, who said people were just jealous of his large pad; Michael Gove MP, who made £1,250 an hour. Now London Mayor Boris Johnson says the money from his second salary of £250,000 is just [...] [...] Anthony Steen MP, who said people were just jealous of his large pad; Michael Gove MP, who made £1,250 an hour. Now London Mayor Boris Johnson says the money from his second salary of £250,000 is just [...]

]]> By: Matt Munro http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52430 Matt Munro Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:53:09 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52430 No of course not. I struggle to see any evidence of talent in most modern politicians. I blame this on the fact that we now have conviction free, consensus, politics, rather than any real convinction-driven dividing lines. For some unfathomable reason the current generation see this as preferable to the "punch and judy politics" which forged one of the worlds finest democracies. Lawyers are about consensus and negociated agreement. We therefore have, and deserve, government by lawyers. No of course not. I struggle to see any evidence of talent in most modern politicians. I blame this on the fact that we now have conviction free, consensus, politics, rather than any real convinction-driven dividing lines. For some unfathomable reason the current generation see this as preferable to the “punch and judy politics” which forged one of the worlds finest democracies. Lawyers are about consensus and negociated agreement. We therefore have, and deserve, government by lawyers.

]]> By: ejh http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52413 ejh Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:52:51 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52413 <i>So what ? Talented sucesfull people are what’s needed in politics</i> Are we to take it that "talented" and "successful" are roughly equivalent in meaning here? So what ? Talented sucesfull people are what’s needed in politics

Are we to take it that “talented” and “successful” are roughly equivalent in meaning here?

]]> By: Ken McKenzie http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52412 Ken McKenzie Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:52:28 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52412 Matt One in twenty of all first degrees awarded in the UK is in law, and that proportion is going up. It's now actually the most popular first degree in the country. And they keep getting jobs. We've too many lawyers everywhere - it's hardly surprising some of them ship up in politics. Matt

One in twenty of all first degrees awarded in the UK is in law, and that proportion is going up. It’s now actually the most popular first degree in the country.

And they keep getting jobs. We’ve too many lawyers everywhere – it’s hardly surprising some of them ship up in politics.

]]> By: Denim Justice http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52409 Denim Justice Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:48:02 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52409 The problem is, the parties tend to choose lawyers as candidates. That is because lawyers get paid a shit lot of money, and that allows them to have enough time to be school governors, sit on local police boards, all the horseshit you have to do to pretend you are "in touch" with the concerns of "local people", i.e. the old grannies and idiots who are the swing vote. The problem is, the parties tend to choose lawyers as candidates. That is because lawyers get paid a shit lot of money, and that allows them to have enough time to be school governors, sit on local police boards, all the horseshit you have to do to pretend you are “in touch” with the concerns of “local people”, i.e. the old grannies and idiots who are the swing vote.

]]> By: Matt Munro http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52404 Matt Munro Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:38:14 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52404 All I would say, is that at the moment there are too many fucking lawyers in politics, and anyone who isn't one is ok by me. All I would say, is that at the moment there are too many fucking lawyers in politics, and anyone who isn’t one is ok by me.

]]> By: Ken McKenzie http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52394 Ken McKenzie Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:54:32 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52394 Gove is not a good Shadow Minister, and even with the Tories parlous lack of talent on the front benches, is distinguished by his poor judgement and lack of ability. It's plain he not only has too much to do, but that he only does the bits he likes (talking to the media, mainly), and not the bits he doesn't like (reading and evaluating evidence, consulting with people who know what they're talking about, listening to people who might have valid criticisms of his policies, not straying outside his departmental remit). This analysis might seem lighthearted, but actually his many second jobs not only suggest he doesn't take his rather important Shadow role seriously enough, but also explain why he isn't actually very good at it. Munro - if you see what Gove does as 'a proper job', then you have set the bar rather low. Of course, we all know that you define 'proper job' as 'whatever my team does' and 'not a proper job' as 'anything done by the other lot'. We do agree that talented people are needed in politics, though. That rules Gove, only in his current role through personal contacts rather than ability, out. Gove is not a good Shadow Minister, and even with the Tories parlous lack of talent on the front benches, is distinguished by his poor judgement and lack of ability.

It’s plain he not only has too much to do, but that he only does the bits he likes (talking to the media, mainly), and not the bits he doesn’t like (reading and evaluating evidence, consulting with people who know what they’re talking about, listening to people who might have valid criticisms of his policies, not straying outside his departmental remit).

This analysis might seem lighthearted, but actually his many second jobs not only suggest he doesn’t take his rather important Shadow role seriously enough, but also explain why he isn’t actually very good at it.

Munro – if you see what Gove does as ‘a proper job’, then you have set the bar rather low. Of course, we all know that you define ‘proper job’ as ‘whatever my team does’ and ‘not a proper job’ as ‘anything done by the other lot’.

We do agree that talented people are needed in politics, though. That rules Gove, only in his current role through personal contacts rather than ability, out.

]]> By: Matt Munro http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52387 Matt Munro Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:03:15 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52387 So what ? Talented sucesfull people are what's neded in politics, rather than over promoted town hall clerks like caroline flint. At least he has a proper job - how much do all the nulabour luvvies make from "consultancy" ? So what ? Talented sucesfull people are what’s neded in politics, rather than over promoted town hall clerks like caroline flint. At least he has a proper job – how much do all the nulabour luvvies make from “consultancy” ?

]]> By: ejh http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52385 ejh Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:46:02 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52385 Well, I suppose Gove's keenness to attack the minimum wage does tend to make him a target when he's got easy money rolling in on all sides. Well, I suppose Gove’s keenness to attack the minimum wage does tend to make him a target when he’s got easy money rolling in on all sides.

]]> By: noughtpointzero http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52334 noughtpointzero Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:47:26 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52334 I think it would make a less childish piece if you first of all found an MP who was very bad at his job, had no time for his constituents etc etc before you criticise them. If Gove is a good MP and he earns lots on the side... what's your problem? I think it would make a less childish piece if you first of all found an MP who was very bad at his job, had no time for his constituents etc etc before you criticise them. If Gove is a good MP and he earns lots on the side… what’s your problem?

]]> By: Shatterface http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52331 Shatterface Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:29:29 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52331 'What is worse - for a person to spend a few hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP, or to spend 40 hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP?' Hate to admit it but that's a strong argument. ‘What is worse – for a person to spend a few hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP, or to spend 40 hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP?’

Hate to admit it but that’s a strong argument.

]]> By: Andrew Adams http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52330 Andrew Adams Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:24:08 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52330 I don't have a problem with Gove (or other MPs) earning money for a newspaper column, or with MPs receiving income from outside Parliament per se. For me the problem arises either when there it creates a conflict of interest, or the appearance of such, if they are blatantly cashing in on their contacts and experience in Government (like <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/01/david-blunkett-private-companies" rel="nofollow">David Blunkett</a> for example), or if the time they devote to their outside interests prevents them from properly fulfilling their duties of an MP. I don't think that Gove knocking out a column for the Times falls into any of those categories. I don’t have a problem with Gove (or other MPs) earning money for a newspaper column, or with MPs receiving income from outside Parliament per se.
For me the problem arises either when there it creates a conflict of interest, or the appearance of such, if they are blatantly cashing in on their contacts and experience in Government (like David Blunkett for example), or if the time they devote to their outside interests prevents them from properly fulfilling their duties of an MP.
I don’t think that Gove knocking out a column for the Times falls into any of those categories.

]]> By: Neil http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52323 Neil Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:20:18 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52323 Not charging by the hour, I hope... Not charging by the hour, I hope…

]]> By: cjcjc http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52318 cjcjc Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:33:52 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52318 I'm self-employed! I’m self-employed!

]]> By: Neil http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52316 Neil Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:25:54 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52316 @cjcjc - with the time you spend on here, I'm surprised you get paid for the first one. @cjcjc – with the time you spend on here, I’m surprised you get paid for the first one.

]]> By: cjcjc http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52315 cjcjc Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:08:46 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52315 Sunny - it's my (unpaid) second job! Sunny – it’s my (unpaid) second job!

]]> By: IanVisits http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52314 IanVisits Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:04:33 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52314 What is worse - for a person to spend a few hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP, or to spend 40 hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP? One is a Tory MP and the other is a government minister. To paraphrase: "All outside jobs are bad, but some outside jobs are more bad than others" What is worse – for a person to spend a few hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP, or to spend 40 hours a week on a job that distracts them from being a constituency MP?

One is a Tory MP and the other is a government minister.

To paraphrase:

“All outside jobs are bad, but some outside jobs are more bad than others”

]]> By: George V http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52313 George V Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:03:15 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52313 Am I supposed to be shocked about Murdoch getting poor value for money? I can't say I am that upset. I wonder what Blunkett gets (and whether he gets a bonus for every time he shills ID cards without mentioning that he has a financial interest in their introduction - see Private Eye ad nauseam) Am I supposed to be shocked about Murdoch getting poor value for money? I can’t say I am that upset.

I wonder what Blunkett gets (and whether he gets a bonus for every time he shills ID cards without mentioning that he has a financial interest in their introduction – see Private Eye ad nauseam)

]]> By: Sunny Hundal http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52312 Sunny Hundal Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:59:32 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52312 Still defending Tories diligently eh Cjcjc? Still defending Tories diligently eh Cjcjc?

]]> By: Richard (the original) http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52310 Richard (the original) Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:42:59 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52310 "As a result, his hourly rate looks like something a corporate lawyer would drool over." Good for him! “As a result, his hourly rate looks like something a corporate lawyer would drool over.”

Good for him!

]]> By: LazyStudents http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52304 LazyStudents Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:25:01 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52304 Tbf, he is quite a good columnist and it's far less than BoJo gets for his witterings (£250,000). Tbf, he is quite a good columnist and it’s far less than BoJo gets for his witterings (£250,000).

]]> By: cjcjc http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-52302 cjcjc Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:20:44 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-52302 I don't know whether "aspiring journalists" read the rest of the news, so you may not have seen this story as well: "Cameron: Shadow cabinet will give up second jobs by end of year" http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/29/conservative-second-jobs Gove's second job was only writing a few articles - that he was paid so much to do so is hardly his fault! I don’t know whether “aspiring journalists” read the rest of the news, so you may not have seen this story as well:

“Cameron: Shadow cabinet will give up second jobs by end of year”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/29/conservative-second-jobs

Gove’s second job was only writing a few articles – that he was paid so much to do so is hardly his fault!

]]> By: Liberal Conspiracy http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-76813 Liberal Conspiracy Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:43:30 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-76813 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">Article: Gove MP makes £1,250 an hour on the side http://bit.ly/PI6Gw</span> <div class="topsy_trackback_links">[<a href="http://twitter.com/libcon/status/2386860228">Original tweet</a>]</div></span> Article: Gove MP makes £1,250 an hour on the side http://bit.ly/PI6Gw

[Original tweet]

]]> By: Paranormal Guru http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-76812 Paranormal Guru Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:38:08 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-76812 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">Liberal Conspiracy » Gove MP makes £1250 an hour on the side: About the author: Chris is a regular contributor t.. http://bit.ly/dNwTh</span> <div class="topsy_trackback_links">[<a href="http://twitter.com/paranormalguru/status/2387409117">Original tweet</a>]</div></span> Liberal Conspiracy » Gove MP makes £1250 an hour on the side: About the author: Chris is a regular contributor t.. http://bit.ly/dNwTh

[Original tweet]

]]> By: Liberal Conspiracy http://liberalconspiracy.org/2009/06/29/gove-mp-makes-1250-an-hour-on-the-side/#comment-77573 Liberal Conspiracy Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:43:30 +0000 http://www.liberalconspiracy.org/?p=6000#comment-77573 <span class="topsy_trackback_comment"><span class="topsy_twitter_username"><span class="topsy_trackback_content">Article: Gove MP makes £1,250 an hour on the side http://bit.ly/PI6Gw</span> <div class="topsy_trackback_links">[<a href="http://twitter.com/libcon/status/2386860228">Original tweet</a>]</div></span> Article: Gove MP makes £1,250 an hour on the side http://bit.ly/PI6Gw

[Original tweet]

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