Shad Cab part-timers

Ben Brogan, from the daily mail, recently wrote an article about how many shad cab members have outside interests. It has been picked up by Iain Dale and Guido. There is no problem with having outside interests. It can be an advantage. But some from the list below go too far. Dedication is what you need. Get into office first.

Consider the number of part-timers in the Shadow Cabinet, based on the latest Register of Members' Interests:

William Hague: two paid directorships for companies that have nothing to do with politics or the Tories; 'parliamentary adviser' for three companies to the tune of about £100k pa; regular speeches, worth about £120k so far this year; biographer.

Dr Liam Fox: lectures on emergency medical procedures for a company of which he is a shareholder.

Francis Maude: seven paid directorships for companies that have nothing to do with politics or the Tories, of one of which he is a shareholder; paid parliamentary adviser to Barclays.

David Willetts: chairman of two science companies, of one of which he is a shareholder; paid adviser to a merchant bank and to a firm of actuaries.

Andrew Mitchell: seven paid directorships, six of which are for different companies of the Lazards group, none of which have anything to do with politics or the Tories; "senior strategy adviser" to Accenture, at ca£40k pa.

Alan Duncan: one paid directorship, for a "catalytic coating" company; income as owner of Harcourt Consultants, oil and gas advisers.

Oliver Letwin: paid non-executive director of NM Rothschild Corporate Finance Ltd.

Eric Pickles: one paid non-executive directorship; paid parliamentary adviser to the Royal British Legion.

Michael Gove: earnings as a Times columnist, broadcaster and author.

Grant Shapps: two paid directorships for companies in which he has a registerable shareholding and which have nothing to do with politics or the Tory party.

Jeremy Hunt: paid adviser to Bristol Port Company.

Lord Strathclyde: five paid directorships.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: director of World Travel Market.