The Times, trawling through the new Register of Members’ Interests, reveals that William Hague's income has dropped by £600,000 since he became Shadow Foreign Secretary. That massive drop in income for Parliament's biggest earner still leaves Mr Hague with a £400,000 income, however.
Labour MP and former Europe minister Denis McShane criticised Mr Hague for his outside interests and called for the Tory leader to appoint a full-time foreign affairs spokesman:
“[William Hague's] obsession with earning zillions may impress his business chums, but it’s not serious politics. Most MPs will be goggle-eyed with jealousy, but David Cameron should appoint someone who is prepared to do the job full time.”
Mr Hague is also completing a biography of anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.
not too sure it's a good idea to quote far-left extremists on this kind of thing. They have been spouting rhetoric about attacking the rich for 100 years. We saw where it ends up.
"Most MPs will be goggle-eyed with jealousy"
Nope. They won't. Only the idiot Marxists will be whining about it.
The amount he earns is less relevant than the time he spends earning it, and whether it impacts on the job.
Posted by: bee | November 10, 2006 at 09:41
Perhaps Denis McShane would give us his thoughts on the multi-million pound mansion the Blairs bought in Connaught Square?
Thought not.
Posted by: Daniel VA | November 10, 2006 at 09:54
I must confess I still kinda believe in MPs taking an average workers wage (for London).
If that makes me an "Idiot Marxist" as Bee says so be it.
Posted by: comstock | November 10, 2006 at 10:15
If William Hague can get fools to pay him so well he should bottle it and make even more money.............
Posted by: TomTom | November 10, 2006 at 10:19
Its telling that a senior Labour MP thinks the term for a number trailed by five zeroes is a zillion rather than a hundred thousand.
Some people just aren't smart enough for public service.
Posted by: Matt | November 10, 2006 at 10:57
It’s instructive to compare William Hague’s entry with Dennis MacShane’s. Mr. MacShane also spends some of his time making speeches, writing articles, and advising business:
4 articles – each “up to £5,000”
3 speeches – each “up to £5,000”
European Advisor to United Utilities “£10,000- £15,000”.
So Mr. MacShane earned up to £50,000. The key difference is that William Hague is much more in demand and so can command a rather higher rate for his speeches articles and advice than can Mr. MacShane. The market’s assessment of the respective qualities of these 2 politicians is clear. Is the real reason for MacShane’s intervention that he is envious of a more talented and better-paid rival?
Posted by: Simon Chapman | November 10, 2006 at 11:27
dont worry about mcshane. he is always rent a gob. look up peter obornes book for a story about him not telling the truth
Posted by: bill grant | November 10, 2006 at 12:27
also in lord ashcroft's dirty politics dirty times (www.lordashcroft.com) on page 253 mcshane is caught out in the truth stakes. He denied a comment that he actually made on the radio when he realised he was talking bullshit.a man not to be taken seriously william.
Posted by: bill grant | November 10, 2006 at 12:53
Aren't we missing the point? Isn't it sad that a man can make more money because he failed at a job than he would have made if he did the job well? (Making that money BECAUSE he did the job that he failed at).
Hague is not the only one, of course. I believe that John Major has also made a fortune on the lecture circuit since leaving office.
Hardly the meritocracy that I, as a Conservative, believe in.
Posted by: Jon White | November 10, 2006 at 14:39
Surely, Oliver Letwin gave up more when he stopped working for NM Rothschild?
Posted by: Adam | November 10, 2006 at 17:29
I'm not surprised that William Hague is sufficiently attractive to employers that he can earn so much money - he is a capable, intelligent individual.
But I agree with Denis McShane - Hague should be a full time politician. This 'gentleman amateur' thing doesn't work if you are serious about dislodging a government.
I also agree with Simon Chapman, McShane's probably just hacked off he doesn't attract the same fees as our guy. Chippy lefties.
Posted by: Alexander Drake | November 11, 2006 at 02:08
McShane et al - Nulab - the party of envy methinks. If you cant do it, knock it.
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | November 11, 2006 at 15:46
So right, Annabel! and the Lib Dems are no better...!!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | November 11, 2006 at 16:24