Shouldn't there be something to make MPs turn up

well she has announced she is standing down at the next general election.

The former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has announced she is standing down as an MP at the next general election

She obviously thinks "why bother" 🤷‍♀️

I got the impression that she has always thought “why bother”.

I agree Gloryannie., any other public servant would be in Big trouble. Standing down isn’t a resignation. If she isn’t at work, we need a dr certificate

Appearing on the debating chamber and speaking, is mostly for show. An MPs work is mainly done behind the scenes, in meeting rooms of committees, enquireis and Special Interest groups and also dealing with constituency problems.

It means more to me that my local MP (Conservative) has come out loud and proud about opposing Thames Water's plan to drown, virtually the whole parish under a gigantic reservoir and is working with the local Lib/Dem MP, local and county council to oppose it, than doing a bobbing head presence in parliament and asking the occasional question.

M0nica

Appearing on the debating chamber and speaking, is mostly for show. An MPs work is mainly done behind the scenes, in meeting rooms of committees, enquireis and Special Interest groups and also dealing with constituency problems.

It means more to me that my local MP (Conservative) has come out loud and proud about opposing Thames Water's plan to drown, virtually the whole parish under a gigantic reservoir and is working with the local Lib/Dem MP, local and county council to oppose it, than doing a bobbing head presence in parliament and asking the occasional question.

Lots of people work from home or different bases now. They have to log in on their laptop as they start. No reason an MP couldn't do the same, then, whatever they are working on. people would know how much time they put in.
Would you be happy with Nadine who is busy with her own TV show?

I thought that Nadine was standing down because she's being elevated to the Lords in Johnson's retirement honours list? (Which we haven't heard much about lately)

M0nica

Appearing on the debating chamber and speaking, is mostly for show. An MPs work is mainly done behind the scenes, in meeting rooms of committees, enquireis and Special Interest groups and also dealing with constituency problems.

It means more to me that my local MP (Conservative) has come out loud and proud about opposing Thames Water's plan to drown, virtually the whole parish under a gigantic reservoir and is working with the local Lib/Dem MP, local and county council to oppose it, than doing a bobbing head presence in parliament and asking the occasional question.

I agree, but they should be in the chamber for votes, or voting remotely when/if permitted. If they don’t vote they aren’t fulfilling their role of representation of their electorate.

Sallymander

I got the impression that she has always thought “why bother”.

I read an interview with Nadine Dorries at the weekend.
She’s had a lot of loss in her life, and I believe that she was a very good nurse.
I came away with a very surprising new fondness for her
(God, I’m getting soft 🙄)

Anyway - back to the subject.
I see that Govey is taking child benefit off the parents of kids who don’t go to school as often as they should.

Perhaps he could suggest a similar scheme for Parliament ‘refusers’?

All in the cause of Levelling Up, of course

I read about her life too, and can’t understand all this hate stuff about her.
So what if she didn’t speak in the HOC, I would think she was still there and working in her office.
No wonder women MP’s from all political parties have had enough of depressing negative things said about them online and think of jacking it all in.

I find it irritating when a speech (deemed important by local news, national media, whoever) is given to an near-empty chamber, preceding an important vote.
I'm told that MPs are told how to vote before these speeches, but they should still listen to the diffent aspects of the argument.

Chardy

I find it irritating when a speech (deemed important by local news, national media, whoever) is given to an near-empty chamber, preceding an important vote.
I'm told that MPs are told how to vote before these speeches, but they should still listen to the diffent aspects of the argument.

The speech is recorded in Hansard. That is the vital element of giving it. Historians and others use it for research and confirmation of debatable points. That is part of the reason why lying to parliament should be a more serious issue than it has been recently. It falsifies the record.

Dorries is vilified because she is stupid. Some very lovely people can be very stupid. It doesn't make them good MPs.

Sinn Fein have never turned up to Westminster.

nadateturbe

Sinn Fein have never turned up to Westminster.

But they stand as an MP saying that and people vote for them knowing that they will not take the oath, or attend. So they are representing their constituents wishes. Dorries simply isn't doing her job.

MaizieD

I thought that Nadine was standing down because she's being elevated to the Lords in Johnson's retirement honours list? (Which we haven't heard much about lately)

Maybe the people getting honoured haven't paid up yet. (Will it come in plastic bags? After all what's good for a king....)

I don't suppose this applies to Dorries, but I think that Parliament should move around the country so that MPs in the North don't have to keep taking travelling time from their constituents to attend, when those based in London don't.

Any elected position should be on the basis of people knowing what they are voting for, and the number of attendances of sitting MPs should be made available when they seek re-election, but I agree that a better way might be to show how much work has been done more generally. It's too open to abuse though - it would be very easy to log on and do nothing, and there will be duties that are confidential.

I definitely think that all other money-making activities should be recorded though, so voters can see how seriously their representatives are taking the role.

Presumably Dorries is still drawing her pay and expenses.

Deduct their benefits!

Perhaps more important than how often your MP is seen in Parliament, is how often they are seen doing other things - chat shows/I’m a celebrity/after dinner speeches etc - which the MP is paid for. How can they be doing constituency work if they are in the jungle?

Apparently Dorries has been asked to pay back her £87,000 salary!

dragonfly46

Apparently Dorries has been asked to pay back her £87,000 salary!

Asked by whom?

I suppose as they are self employed they can't be required to attend.

Yes, Dorries is vilified because she is not up to the job and has made statements which are not true, not deliberately perhaps, but because she has not bothered to find out.
Like saying that Channel 4 should be privatised because it was using too much taxpayers money, without discovering that in fact, it is self funding.

Isn't it time we had some regulation to ensure MPs turn up?

Perhaps not in the H of C as they are in committes, working on constituency business but they could show up in the House at least once a week and definitely for any votes.

They may claim, though, that they are working more hours than in a normal working week much of the time.