Miliband writes to Clegg and Cameron – and throws down the gauntlet on second jobs for MPs

Ed Miliband has written to Cameron and Clegg this afternoon, announcing a planned amendment to Labour’s motion on second jobs for MPs – and urging them both to back it:

Dear Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,

Following the exchanges at PMQs today you will both be pleased to know Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer is moving a manuscript amendment to our Opposition Day Motion today to bar MPs from holding paid directorships or consultancies.

It will, as you requested, make clear this bar includes preventing serving MPs from being paid trade union officials.

We are advised that, if you would agree not to move the Government’s amendment, Mr Cryer’s amendment could be selected and voted upon this evening.

With your support we will tonight be able to take an important step forward to rebuild trust in politics by making sure MPs work for the people who elect them.

I look forward to responses from you both.

Yours sincerely

Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP

There’s no way Cameron’s backbenchers will support plans to take their second jobs of them, is there?