Osborne takes on second paid role in America

georgeosborne

The Rt. Hon. George Osborne has taken on his second paid job in America, in addition to his role as MP for Tatton.

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer has been made the first Kissinger Fellow at the Arizona-based McCain Institute for International Leadership.

Osborne will remain based in the UK, continuing his work as Tatton MP, while spending time studying at the Institute which described the fellowship as "an opportunity for Mr Osborne to build on his skills as a statesman and leader".

Dr. Kissinger said "I am delighted that George Osborne will serve as the McCain Institute's inaugural Kissinger Fellow. George's principled leadership during his impressive career can be a model for the qualities promoted by the McCain Institute. I am proud to support and help shape his fellowship and bright future in public service."

Senator John McCain said "My friend Henry Kissinger is a statesman who has made the world safer for our shared interests, and by so doing, safer for the common ideals of the transatlantic community.

"I am pleased to learn the Institute has selected George Osborne as the inaugural Kissinger Fellow. George has shown strong and thoughtful leadership throughout his career and proved incredibly able as Chancellor. At a time when the great democracies of the world are facing challenges such as we have not seen for generations, we need strong, values-driven leaders like George Osborne."

George Osborne said "I am very honored to be named the McCain Institute's first Kissinger Fellow. I have long admired Henry Kissinger and John McCain - and count myself fortunate to know both these extraordinary leaders. I look forward to using this opportunity to work with the McCain Institute to see how we best promote our western values and secure a stable world order in this time of change."

Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Chairman of the Kissinger Fellowship at The McCain Institute added "George Osborne's character-driven leadership and impactful career epitomizes the spirit of the Kissinger Fellowship.

"We need more world leaders like George, embracing the hallmark principles of Senator McCain's and Dr. Kissinger's lifetimes of service. I have no doubt he will continue to build on his extraordinary career through his work at the Institute over the next year."

Last week George Osborne was been appointed as an advisor to global investment giant Blackrock. He will be working one day a week for the world's largest asset manager which is based in New York City, but he told wilmslow.co.uk the majority of his time will still be spent representing constituents in Tatton where he has been our Member of Parliament since 2001.

George Osborne said "BlackRock wants better outcomes for pensioners and savers - and I want to help them deliver that. It's a chance for me to work part-time with one of the world's most respected firms and a major employer in Britain.

"Of course, many MPs also do work outside Parliament - and every Chancellor has. I'll only be working one day a week with Blackrock, while being Chancellor was more or less a full time job. So the majority of my time will be devoted to being an MP, representing my constituents in Tatton and promoting the Northern Powerhouse.

"My goal is to go on learning, gaining new experience and get an even better understanding of the world."

The McCain Institute describes itself as "a non-partisan do-tank dedicated to advancing character-driven global leadership based on security, economic opportunity, freedom and human dignity – in the United States and around the world. The Institute seeks to promote humanitarian action, human rights and democracy, and national security, and to embrace technology in producing better designs for educated decisions in national and international policy".

Shorty after announcing his appointment as the McCain Institute's inaugural Kissinger Fellow George Osborne published a blog Peace and Stability Doesn't Just Happen.

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Alan Brough
Tuesday 31st January 2017 at 8:54 pm
What has to happen to force a by-election?

Clearly this man is not able to properly represent the people of Tatton and yet he seemingly has no intention of doing the decent thing and stepping down in order to pursue his career(s) outside of politics.
Nick Jones
Tuesday 31st January 2017 at 9:23 pm
Its not just him that fails to represent the electorate Alan !
Stuart Redgard
Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 8:41 am
@Alan Brough.
The answer to your question is nothing can happen to "force" a by election. Once elected an MP can legally take as many jobs as they want to and not spend a single day actually doing the work of a constituency MP.
Lynne Prescott
Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 4:38 pm
"I look forward to using this opportunity to work with the McCain Institute to see how we best promote our western values and secure a stable world order in this time of change."

Hmm, I assume this work will focus on the USA itself given recent events?


>>> and yes, If Mr Osborne is picking up other roles that require extensive travel (and Arizona is hardly down the road), then he ought to do the decent thing, stand down and let someone who is prepared to focus completely on Tatton's issues ( and we have a LOT) come in and do the job he obviously is no longer focused on. Let's face it, with the conservative majority we have in the constituency, its hardly a risky option for them; in fact it's the most honourable one.
Buster Wild
Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 4:45 pm
It's not only in Denmark that something is rotten.
Simon Worthington
Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 4:47 pm
Time to move on Gideon and hopefully get better advisors that the incompetent fools who replied both to me and others failing to grasp the fairly simple points we made. You won't be missed.
Yvonne Howson
Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 8:18 pm
I didn't realise he had skills as a statesman or a leader. Can't think of anything he has done for the normal people of Tatton. He doesn't even respond to emails whilst being based in Cheshire so what are the chances of a response when he is high flying in the USA.
David Nelson
Thursday 2nd February 2017 at 9:27 am
I have a sneaking feeling the dearest George did nothing to represent me as my m.p. Now I'd be delighted to know, in percentage terms, ( and let's face it he's supposed to be good at that) how much constituency time he'll use to fail to represent me now.
Graham Shaw
Thursday 2nd February 2017 at 10:07 am
It's amazing how considering the bloody nose that the electorate gave to George and David that these people still think that they can pull the wool over our eyes.

It's plain to see that all this man is doing is amassing a fortune with these 'wonderful new opportunities'. Add that to all his after dinner speech fees and you do begin to wonder how much time he has left on his hands to do some proper work!

Moreover, on the flip side come the ballot box will the electorate have the gumption to vote for someone other than him just because he is the Conservative candidate.

Methinks the only way forward in this country at the moment is do it Brexit style at the elections and vote for a change.
Ade Whitaker
Saturday 4th February 2017 at 3:57 pm
This all leaves a bad taste in the mouth - even if it is all perfectly above board. It looks like someone preparing themselves for a future life outside politics with little regard for their current, highly paid, role as an elected MP. I imagine that there are good MPs out there who go into politics for the right reasons - to help their constituents and make their lives better. There are unfortunately others who are appear to be more focussed on their own interests.
Pete Taylor
Sunday 5th February 2017 at 1:30 pm
From the national press:

George Osborne has defended his decision to take on multiple paid jobs while still an MP....
The former chancellor said his work represented a “varied and interesting” contribution to national life....

http://bit.ly/2kfxEDh

Delusional? Deplorable.

Resign.