Should ex-MPs get a medal thanking them for their service? That’s the suggestion of the Commons Administration Committee, which has today published a report called ‘Smoothing the cliff edge’ about what happens when MPs leave parliament, either of their own accord or because voters have turfed them out.
It’s an interesting piece of work, with the central thesis that the current treatment of ex-MPs could be putting off the very best from going into politics in the first place. It says:
The evidence we heard and the academic research we consulted showed us that if we do not provide sufficient support to MPs when they leave parliament, this could deter others from seeking election in future. MPs and governments will often make short-term expedient financial decisions to assuage public anger or concern.
However, all governments and serving MPs have a duty to ensure that the House can attract and retain people of all different backgrounds from across the UK.
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