MLA proposes double-jobbing bill

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8505365.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A bill will be introduced in Stormont later aimed at ending double-jobbing between the Assembly and local councils.

If the bill is successful, it would disqualify any individual from being a local councillor if he or she is also a member of the Assembly.

The bill is being introduced by PUP MLA Dawn Purvis.

"Double-jobbing is a serious problem in Northern Ireland and it needs to come to an end now," said Ms Purvis.

"I hope that having more open seats on councils and in the Assembly will also help bring in a new generation of political leaders, focused on constructive engagement and building toward the future."

The Progressive Unionist Party leader has been working on the bill since December 2008.

Ms Purvis has said double-jobbing had contributed to a "crisis of confidence in the Assembly".

"It protects political dynasties and the impression that politicians are amassing personal wealth at public expense," she said.

"It keeps new people out of politics and imposes another barrier between voters and the political systems that are there to serve them."