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17
Nov 2021
WATCH Ripon residents give their views on MP Julian Smith's £144,000 consultancy work
https://youtu.be/nf4wSV_-zl4
We went out on the streets of Ripon today to ask people about the controversy surrounding their MP Julian Smith's paid consultancy work.
Mr Smith, who has represented Skipton and Ripon since 2010, could lose £144,000 under proposals put forward by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson wrote to Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle yesterday proposing MPs are banned from acting as paid political consultants or lobbyists in order to maintain public confidence in Parliament.
Mr Smith, who earns £144,000 from three part-time consultancy roles, all of which were approved by the Advisory Committee of Business Appointments, would be one of the worst affected MPs if the new proposals come into force.
Mr Smith's constituents in Ripon today expressed mixed views. Some said it was acceptable because the earnings had to be declared and it was healthy for MPs to have a wide range of skills. Others disagreed and questioned whether his consultancy commitments meant less time working for his constituents.
Watch our video to hear residents' views.
Read more:
- Ripon MP Julian Smith could lose £144,000 under PM’s plan to end consultancy work
- Julian Smith MP’s three extra jobs back in spotlight in Tory ‘sleaze’ row
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