Harriet Harman, now 3-1 favourite to be the next Labour leader, has a cunning plan to shaft the Tories. For some time now, she has been badgering Brown to outlaw MPs having second jobs. As I disclose in my News of the World column today, the PM is now warming to it because he thinks Cameron would not support it, thus allowing him to draw another of his beloved dividing lines. It would also exploit Cameron’s own sensitivities about the number of his shadow cabinet with second jobs. And, of course, underline her class war credentials to Labour’s selectorate.
There is, however, only one problem. By the time it would be made law, Labour will most likely be months away from opposition. About a hundred Tories would be swapping their second jobs for a ministerial income, paid on top of their MPS salary. And the people Harman’s scheme would hit are the brighter Labour ex-ministers, who will be keen to line up directorships to replace their lost ministerial income.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate, free for a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first month free.
UNLOCK ACCESS Try a month freeAlready a subscriber? Log in