Paterson quits as MP – rather than face the wrath of his constituents?
Owen Paterson: he won his vote in Parliament, but did he already realise that it wouldn’t do him any good?
All that corruption for nothing!
After so much effort from his Tory colleagues to save him from a 30-day suspension that might lead to a by-election, Owen Paterson has gone the whole hog:
Lobbyist Owen Paterson has quit his second job as an MP.
— Evolve Politics (@evolvepolitics) November 4, 2021
It seems he realised that he may face far more humiliation in a by-election than he does by simply bowing out gracelessly. And a few other calculations may have had something to do with it…
https://twitter.com/ArtCrunchy/status/1456298876734955521
Yes indeed. Consider this:
Owen Paterson's resignation means he suffers no penalty whatsoever for his wrongdoing, and immediately collects a 24-year parliamentary pension higher than most salaries. In addition, he will no doubt soon find a portfolio of consultancy and non-executive director jobs.
— David__Osland (@David__Osland) November 4, 2021
Still, from his resignation speech, it seems a peek into his mind right now may reveal something like this:
— The Agitator (@Agitate4Change) November 4, 2021
I mean, he thinks politics has been cruel – to him!
Did Owen Paterson really just quit by saying: “I will remain a public servant but outside the cruel world of politics." Excuse me. But YOU are this cruel world of politics. YOU took the bribe. YOU engaged in corruption. YOU did wrong. This is on you. Own it.
— Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) November 4, 2021
Normally I would not be giving space to might-as-well-be-Tory Labour berk Wes Streeting, but even I have to admit he makes a good point here:
Owen Paterson must be the first MP to have resigned because he believes he has done nothing wrong.
The last 24 hours have exposed the Prime Minister’s low standards, poor judgement and sleazy government.
One rule for them and another for the rest of us.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) November 4, 2021
And here’s another:
Paterson resigns i.e. had his resignation letter written for him and was forced out.
Referring to the “cruel world of politics” he remained self pitying to the end.
If you’re concerned about kindness mate, why did you become an MP for The Child Starving Party?
— Supertanskiii (@supertanskiii) November 4, 2021
Possibly the best issue to raise about this whole sad farrago is that of the erstwhile North Shropshire MP’s former sponsors:
https://twitter.com/MarinaPurkiss/status/1456175584485289988
Given the above information, there’s an important question to be asked (by Old Git, below):
It'll be interesting to see whether those companies that were paying Owen Paterson £100k p.a. still think he's worth the money, now that he's no longer an MP.
If they don't, surely that would make it pretty clear what they were paying for.
— Old Git 💙 (@toooldforit) November 4, 2021
But will the repercussions rumble on?
So disgraced Tory MP Owen Patterson used to be the boss of Boris Johnson’s wife Carrie Johnson. This explains why the Tories were so desperate to get Patterson off his well deserved punishment for influence peddling #ToryCriminalsUnfitToGovern pic.twitter.com/866thf8ihb
— Diane Abbott MP (@HackneyAbbott) November 4, 2021
Aha! It seems Paterson may have a few secrets that may be worth something if he spills them.
Will he do a Dominic (Cummings) and stab his former boss in the back?
That would be fun, wouldn’t it?
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One way of cutting corruption – ban all MPs from taking other paid work while they are an MP.
The only work they should be allowed to do is unpaid work for a registered charity. They already earn more than the vast majority of us, despite what a few rich Tories say they do not need to earn more than their MPs salary!
Well, well, well – Carrie Johnson’s old boss eh. Very little has been said about that, I wonder why….
PS And yes, Kate above is spot on. Can we imagine a dearth of Tory candidates should that happen!