AN organisation that cannot ever admit it is wrong is a dangerous one. So, hats off to the Tory government (for once).

This past week, the Government performed a screeching U-turn over its successful vote to tear up its own standards process and save a guilty Tory from suspension.

Owen Paterson, MP, had been found guilty by the Standards Committee of lobbying on behalf of firms who paid him 100s of thousands a year for his ‘advice’.

The consequence? A 30-day suspension from being the MP for his constituency.

When a suspension of this length happens, electors in a constituency can demand a bi-election.

While a few Tories voted against letting Paterson off, many were strategically absent including Central Devon’s own Mel Stride (well done Mel!) and the shouts of ‘corruption’ were widespread across all parties.

Even Boris Johnson was unable to guffaw and fluff his way out of the irksome sight of a bunch of braying Conservative MPs ripping up the rules to help a chum. The Daily Mail (even) was furious.

Despite the comedy value of seeing Jacob Rees-Mogg MP trying to distance himself from the actions the previous day of some bloke called Jacob Rees Mogg, it’s still only decent to acknowledge the reversal.

Now, while I suspect the ‘real’ reason for the change of direction was venal desire on behalf of Tory MPs not to lose supporters and leaflet-shovers from their constituencies, the fact remains they did change course.

‘We listened to the public’ of course actually translates as ‘F***, the focus groups show lost seats if we don’t U turn’ but change they did.

In the discussions about Paterson the subject of whether MPs should have second jobs comes up.

The argument that it’s good to have MPs with knowledge of business and the working world is bogus unless you put work as constituency MPs way down the priority list.

Caroline Lucas MP said this week that she works over 90 hours a week at least as an MP and the idea there is time to add in paid work for private interests is laughable. I agree.

Sir Ed Davey current Leader of the Liberal Democrats earns about 80K per year on top of his MP salary as a consultant.

The Guardian newspaper in their list of 30 MPs raking it in through private consultancy work annotated that figure with a comment about how all the money is for his disabled son; thereby making a value judgement. But the minute we start saying that there are worthy and unworthy reasons for earning around £666 an hour, we are in a right mess.

Who is to say what’s worthy after all?

If you are Sir Ed’s constituent and you desperately need your MP’s prompt support, are you going to mind less if he’s not immediately available because he’s busy earning money for his son’s security?

Being an MP is a well-paid privilege; should it require total focus or be a canny way to shore up your family’s financial future by bolting on slabs of consultancy work?

It’s hard not to be reminded of the Lib Dem coalition cuts when Sir Ed Davey is earning so much outside of, yet because of, his political responsibilities.

‘I need the income I get to pay for care because of the cuts to public services I voted through when I supported austerity on the government benches’ is a terrible look.