The number of ex-MPs still holding exclusive passes for Parliament has surged to a new high.
Some 449 former politicians are listed as having privileged access rights to the Westminster estate – up more than a third since the election.
That is thought to be the most on record despite promises of a crackdown, and outnumbers the 404 current members on the Labour benches.
Some 328 passes had been allocated as of July last year. Former ministers Penny Mordaunt, Alex Chalk, Andrea Leadsom and Shailesh Vara are among the names now on the list. Labour veterans retaining passes include Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Jon Cruddas and Kevin Brennan.
There is no suggestion that any have breached anti-lobbying rules.
In recent years the system has been tightened in a bid to bring down numbers holding so-called ‘Category X’ passes. The previous peak, in records going back to 2015, is believed to be 431 in January 2020.
Ex-MPs are meant to have served at least two parliamentary terms or six years – whichever is longer – to apply for the privilege, which has no time limit.
However, Aidan Burley appears on the Commons list despite only serving a single term between 2010 and 2015. The former Tory MP resigned as a ministerial aide after being embroiled in a scandal about attending a Nazi-themed stag event and recently joined Reform UK.
Former Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt is among ex-MPs to have a parliamentary pass
Former minister Andrea Leadsom is on the list of 449 former politicians with privileged access rights
Former MPs are meant to have served at least two terms or six years, whichever is longest, to apply for special access to the parliamentary estate (file photo)
Emma Dent Coad, who was a Labour MP between 2017 and 2019, also has a pass, according to the list. Passholders are able to enter the estate unescorted, have meetings and use subsidised bars and restaurants within certain hours.
The scheme is intended to smooth the process of returning to civilian life – but questions have been raised about the potential for lobbying of former colleagues and whether individuals should retain access to the estate.
A Commons spokesman said: ‘Eligibility is rigorously scrutinised and processes are in place to ensure applications can only be made by those with an approved requirement. There are limits on the facilities former members may use within Parliament, and they are forbidden from using their pass in connection with lobbying activity.’
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Brits will be sceptical at the number of former MPs now holding parliamentary passes.
‘While many former MPs still have a role to play, it’s not a stretch to think that many simply miss the taxpayer-funded bars and restaurants. Parliament needs to ensure that access to the estate is used to continue engaging with the legislative process, not to simply allow ex-MPs to reminisce over subsidised booze.’
