Nigel Farage defends £100,000 job amid Commons voting controversy

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has participated in only 20% of Commons votes since his election, raising concerns about his commitment to parliamentary duties. Despite this, he defends his £100,000 monthly role at GB News, claiming there is no conflict of interest. He has missed significant votes, including those on establishing Great British Energy and public ownership of railways, while also not voting against early prisoner releases, despite his vocal opposition on his show. A Labour spokesperson criticized Farage, suggesting he avoids Parliament to escape scrutiny and is more focused on personal gain than serving his constituents in Clacton. Farage's spokesperson countered that he has voted more than Keir Starmer and comparably to Ed Davey, attempting to shift the narrative regarding his voting record. The controversy has emerged alongside the formation of a new committee of MPs that will evaluate whether holding lucrative media positions is appropriate for MPs, indicating a potential shift in parliamentary standards regarding outside employment.