A BRADFORD district Tory MP has hit back at criticism after it emerged he earned just over £70,000 for presenting on and contributing to the GB News TV channel.
According to UK Parliament's Register of Members' Financial Interests, Philip Davies, who has represented Shipley for the Conservatives since 2005, was paid a total of £70,251.02 by GB News between January 2023-2024.
Mr Davies said "communicating on the media is an integral part of the role of a politician".
But Labour's parliamentary candidate for Shipley, Anna Dixon, who promised not to take a second job if she ousts Mr Davies at the next General Election, said: "Representing Shipley is a huge responsibility and one that I believe should be a full-time job.
"I'm sure voters will be disappointed to discover that not only does Mr Davies not live in the constituency, he's been earning large sums of money furthering his TV career - when he could have been devoting that time to looking after their interests.
"While people in the Shipley constituency have been struggling with the cost of living crisis, Mr Davies has been earning £189 per hour presenting for GB News.
"Shipley voters deserve a local candidate who will devote their time solely to representing them in Westminster and in the constituency, and that is the choice I will be offering them at the General Election."
Mr Davies responded: "I am sorry that Anna doesn't think that communicating on the media is an integral part of the role of a politician.
"Is Anna therefore promising - like me - that she will never accept a job as a Minister in Parliament? Given her unequivocal statement about second jobs and that being the MP for Shipley is a full-time job, I can only presume that is what she is promising and people will want to hold her to account for that promise.
"Is Anna saying that being the MP for Shipley is something she will do 24 hours a day, seven days a week without any spare time to herself? Should I be criticised for watching Bradford City on a Saturday afternoon with my children in my spare time? If not then surely what I do in my spare time is a matter for me.
"Anyone who contacts me knows they get the speediest response from any MP in the country. Surely it is better to do different things and do them well rather than just do one thing and do it badly."
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