Quote:
Originally Posted by Gayle
I'm not arguing against you Andrew, to be honest, I think we appear to agree.
I think it's all a matter of timing as to when they stood down and if they caused unnecessary by elections.
For instance, if Graham or whoever represents the Conservatives won, there would be no need to stand down from council or County council immediately - he could perhaps tie it in with the local elections the following year, thereby not incurring any additional cost.
Whilst I agree there is a considerable amount of time that MPs need to be in London, equally they need to be in the constituency as well, so I'm sure that with a good PA they could be at the relevant meetings when needed.
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I'm more sympathetic to somebody standing down a year later to prevent by-elections, but I don't think they should serve a full term. I say I'm only sympathetic because if both candidates refuse to step down as councillors prior to the general election, then I'm not sure if it's best for the successful one to stay on a year as a second rate councillor, or to cause a by-election. I honestly cannot see how even with the best PA in the world it would be financially and time possible to run the three jobs. The House sits in the day but often sits late at night, with late night voting, so vital council meetings will be missed. There is simply no need to take additional jobs over a long period for the sake of 'being in the loop' which being the Member of Parliament for Hyndburn should already entail.