ConservativeHome's Parliament Page

Bob Spink tells the Commons that he's no longer a Conservative MP

Bob Spink MP: On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I wonder whether you could advise me on how I can inform the House that I have, as of today, resigned the Conservative Whip because the party has failed to deal with serious criminal and other irregularities in my constituency.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. I think that the hon. Gentleman has done enough to inform the House on that point. It is certainly not a point of order for the Chair.

Peter Lilley MP: Well, not only is the world financial system brittle and on a knife edge, but so is the future of my hon. Friend the Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink).

Hansard.

Bob Spink MP urges restrictions on MPs' outside interests and independent evaluation of whether relatives are appropriately qualified for jobs in MPs' offices

Conservative Bob Spink MP has initiated this EDM:

"That this House should undertake root and branch modernisation of the way hon. Members organise, staff and pay for their offices and how they are remunerated for carrying out their various duties; believes that hon. Members should get no expenses at all, excepting essential job travel at cost; further believes that hon. Members are paid for a full-time job and should be prevented from having substantial additional employment but should be paid an appropriate salary to fund approved working practices, including keeping accommodation in London where necessary; further believes that hon. Members in the future should have no say whatsoever on the level of their own salaries, that staffing, communications and office costs should be met entirely and directly by the Fees Office which should be the employer of all hon. Members' staff, and that, in consultation with hon. Members, the Fees Office must be allowed to employ the best person for the job, and must only employ people who are appropriately qualified; further believes that it would deliver greater visibility and accessibility for the public, for there to be a single register rather than the separate Parliamentary and Electoral Commission registers; and further believes that this overarching modernisation should be considered as soon as possible, so the House can get on with its job of defending the country and democracy and assisting people who need help."

No signatures yet!

Source.

Bob Spink MP uses EDM to pay tribute to Special Constables

"That this House congratulates and thanks special constables on the work they do serving communities across Britain with dedication and professionalism; believes that the personal sacrifices made by individuals who serve as special constables deserve greater acknowledgement; therefore warmly welcomes the National Specials Weekend on 27th and 28th October; and calls on the Government and police forces to redouble their efforts to recruit more special constables and to ensure that the conditions of work for special constables are both as safe and as generous as possible."

More here.