Comments on: MPs’ staffing and expenses: setting the bar higher http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/ A believer in progress, material and social Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:28:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kelsie Learney http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/comment-page-1/#comment-5879 Kelsie Learney Mon, 18 May 2009 09:01:26 +0000 http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/#comment-5879 Re discrimination - it is fairly normal to mention it on applications and in job adverts to encourage applications. Incidentally it is legal to positively discriminate in favour of disabled persons. Re discrimination – it is fairly normal to mention it on applications and in job adverts to encourage applications. Incidentally it is legal to positively discriminate in favour of disabled persons.

]]> By: Martin http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/comment-page-1/#comment-2231 Martin Sat, 08 Mar 2008 02:00:33 +0000 http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/#comment-2231 Julian. Good point - although I've noticed that many employers still mention it on their application forms. I suspect one reason is to make sure that people who may have thought they might be disadvantaged (irrespective of the legal situation) are reassured that they won't be. Julian. Good point – although I’ve noticed that many employers still mention it on their application forms.

I suspect one reason is to make sure that people who may have thought they might be disadvantaged (irrespective of the legal situation) are reassured that they won’t be.

]]> By: Julian http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/comment-page-1/#comment-2221 Julian Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:49:45 +0000 http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/#comment-2221 "I will not discriminate based on age, sex, marital status, disability, sexuality, race, colour, or ethnic origin." Not least because you would be breaking the law (I assume the anti- Sex/Race/Disability rights laws actually apply to MPs) if you did so discriminate ;) “I will not discriminate based on age, sex, marital status, disability, sexuality, race, colour, or ethnic origin.”

Not least because you would be breaking the law (I assume the anti- Sex/Race/Disability rights laws actually apply to MPs) if you did so discriminate ;)

]]> By: Martin http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/comment-page-1/#comment-2170 Martin Wed, 13 Feb 2008 02:45:48 +0000 http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/#comment-2170 I agree that there are a lot of MPs' partners who work hard and do a good job. My problem is to do with the fairness of the job appointment process. Is it really possible for an MP to fairly assess whether a close relative <em>is</em> the 'best qualified for the job'? Working for an MP is a publicly funded role. In the roles you mention, did individuals who aren't related get an equal shot at finding out about the job, applying for the job and being assessed for the job? Is it possible for someone to make a fair and neutral choice between their life partner or their child and another applicant for a particular role? In much of the private and public sector, people are removed from any decision that involves a conflict between their family relationships and their professional role. I recognise that's not how it's been with MPs and I'm not asking that this gets applied retrospectively. However, from this point on, I do believe that this kind of standard should apply. I agree that there are a lot of MPs’ partners who work hard and do a good job.

My problem is to do with the fairness of the job appointment process. Is it really possible for an MP to fairly assess whether a close relative is the ‘best qualified for the job’?

Working for an MP is a publicly funded role.

In the roles you mention, did individuals who aren’t related get an equal shot at finding out about the job, applying for the job and being assessed for the job?

Is it possible for someone to make a fair and neutral choice between their life partner or their child and another applicant for a particular role?

In much of the private and public sector, people are removed from any decision that involves a conflict between their family relationships and their professional role. I recognise that’s not how it’s been with MPs and I’m not asking that this gets applied retrospectively. However, from this point on, I do believe that this kind of standard should apply.

]]> By: Duncan Borrowman http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/comment-page-1/#comment-2167 Duncan Borrowman Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:00:33 +0000 http://www.martintod.org.uk/2008/02/12/mps-staffing-and-expenses-setting-the-bar-higher/#comment-2167 As the person that has reported Derek Conway to the Police, and asked for a fresh investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, I would actually disagree on one small point. I would not say "never" on employing family members. I have witnessed a number of cases where a members spouse runs their constituency office, and in my view has been the best person for it. Working more than full time for many years. Balancing commitments and ensuring domestic escape. I think many of them are the best qualified for the job. As the person that has reported Derek Conway to the Police, and asked for a fresh investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, I would actually disagree on one small point. I would not say “never” on employing family members. I have witnessed a number of cases where a members spouse runs their constituency office, and in my view has been the best person for it. Working more than full time for many years. Balancing commitments and ensuring domestic escape. I think many of them are the best qualified for the job.

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