Via andy trig, BBC Information, East
Martin Giles/BBCSuch is the brutal nature of politics that MPs can lose their jobs in a day – walking away with a starting salary of £91,000.
Because the mud settles over some dramatic general elections in a short while, how do long-serving politicians avoid giving up their seats? And what support should be provided to people facing the prospect of unemployment?
Like many other MPs, particularly Conservatives, Peter Aldous lost his seat last term.
He served the Waveney constituency in Suffolk for 14 years and was once ranked for the newly formed Lowestoft seat, which Lost to the Labor Party with a majority of 2,000 votes.
“All political careers end in failure,” says a sad Mr. Aldous.
“And now I’m not sure what to do next… I’m 62 – how employable are former backbench MPs?”
Zoe Dennis/BBC“Of course I wanted to be re-elected,” he says. “But midway through the marketing campaign, I realized I had to deal with the situation I was in now.
“My staff and supporters are incredibly upset and I’m supporting them in this.”
‘blank sheet’
Mr Aldous’ administrative center had hired four individuals from a group of staff who would now be made redundant – something he said he felt “guilty” about.
On Sunday, he traveled to Westminster to clear his parliamentary administrative centre.
“I am a former chartered surveyor but when I became an MP, I did not interfere in it,” he says.
“I don’t think the survey is something I’m going to do again because things have moved on.
“I am making a statement with a blank sheet of paper… It is too early to say whether I will stay in politics or not.”
Mr Aldous describes representing Waveney as a “super privilege”.
“Age will tell whether I have left a long-term legacy or not,” he says.
getty imagesLike all MPs who were defeated in the general election, Mr Aldous will be eligible for support to help plan his future and “prepare himself for his time away from Parliament”.
The House of Commons, through taxpayers’ money, funds a “transition” service to support “departing individuals” with career planning, CV writing and interview techniques.
It also advises on personal security matters, returning IT equipment, backing up personal data in accordance with the GDPR, and mental health services.
Recent changes to the way the House of Commons treats former MPs were introduced after reports that many were left out “The edge of the cliff in monetary and profession.”
Commons officials hope the move will make becoming an MP a more attractive career.
Paul Moseley/BBC“If you take up the position as I have it is absolutely relentless,” says Duncan Baker, a former Conservative MP.
“Ever since I was elected, I haven’t had a single moment of leave. Since you haven’t had a month, my friendships have disappeared.”
Mr Baker, 44, represented the North Norfolk constituency before 2019 Last week the Liberal Democrats won with a majority of 3,000 votes,
“In some ways, a burden has been lifted off my shoulders now,” he says.
“I’m so anxious to get my people back. I’ve neglected them too much.”
‘It is important to be prepared’
Former MPs get a Loss of Office Payment (LOOP) as well as Completion PaymentEqual to four months’ salary.
Asked how he feels about losing his £91,000-a-year salary, Mr Baker, a father of two young daughters, says it is “difficult”.
“But it’s important to be good, it’s important to be prepared for these things and you have to make sure you have some savings to carry you through the next few days,” he adds.
“I am very fortunate that my wife works exceptionally hard to have a dual source of income within the family.”
Paul Moseley/BBCThe House of Commons gives departing MPs four months to close their offices.
For Mr Baker, a qualified chartered accountant, it meant closing his local constituency office, giving extra support to his six staff and ending a contract with a family in London, from where he has spent his time in Westminster. Had rented a room.
He says he is now looking for “trade business options”, possibly in the charity sector, and is ruling out an automatic return to politics.
He added, “I really enjoy what I’ve done… although I’m pretty sure I’ve done my month.”
“Never say never, but one day I want to move beyond population hour.”
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