Minister Questions Appropriateness of Free Concert Tickets Received by Shadow Chancellor
A UK housing minister has declared that accepting complimentary concert tickets is “inappropriate,” in an apparent veiled criticism directed at影シャドウ Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who recently received tickets to a Sabrina Carpenter performance. The remarks ignite debate surrounding MP hospitality and potential conflicts of interest.
Pennycook Voices Concerns Over MP Ticket Hospitality
Matthew Pennycook, the Member of Parliament representing Greenwich and Woolwich—the constituency encompassing the O2 Arena—stated unequivocally that he has accepted “zero” free tickets. When questioned by LBC about Reeves’s decision to accept tickets for the pop star’s show, Pennycook commented, “I think that’s a decision for individual MPs.”
Personal Stance on Complimentary Tickets
However, pressed further on why he personally abstains from accepting tickets at the O2 Arena within his constituency, Pennycook elaborated, “Well, I don’t personally think it’s appropriate. If I want to attend a concert at the O2, I will purchase a ticket myself. But individual MPs, individual ministers, make their own judgments.”
Transparency and Public Perception
Pennycook emphasized the importance of transparency and declared interests, stating, “I think the important thing is that everything is declared and above board, so individual people can make their choices as to whether they think it’s appropriate to take tickets on occasions. I personally haven’t done, as I said, at the O2 and wouldn’t do.”
Details of Ticket Hospitality Declared by MPs
According to the MPs’ register of interests published recently, the tickets received by Reeves were valued at £600.
Broader Acceptance of Hospitality Among Parliamentarians
Several other MPs have also declared accepting hospitality in recent times. Examples include:
- Cheltenham Races: Three MPs accepted complimentary tickets to Cheltenham races, including Victoria Atkins, the shadow environment secretary, who declared tickets valued at £450.
- Brit Awards: Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage declared Brit Awards tickets exceeding £2,000 in value, as did Labour MP Patrick Hurley, whose tickets surpassed £3,000, and Conservative MP Nusrat Ghani, who declared hospitality worth £1,400.
- San Diego Football Match: Oliver Dowden, Conservative MP and former deputy prime minister, disclosed a £12,000 trip to San Diego to watch a football match, courtesy of Tory donor Mohamed Mansour.
Downing Street Response and Further Reactions
Downing Street downplayed Pennycook’s remarks, asserting that he was expressing his personal opinion.
Alexander’s “Too Busy for Freebies” Comment
Pennycook’s comments follow earlier veiled remarks from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who suggested she was “too busy” to accept freebies. Alexander stated she had “never accepted tickets to any concerts or anything like that” as an MP.
“I’ve got a very busy diary and I’ve got to prioritise my time and, you know, when I’ve got time off, actually spending some time with my family and my husband is actually a more attractive option to me,” she added.
Reeves Defends Ticket Acceptance Citing Security Concerns
Reeves, speaking to the BBC, defended her acceptance of the concert hospitality by citing security considerations. “I do now have security, which means it’s not as easy as it would have been in the past to just sit in a concert,” she explained.
“Right Thing to Do” from Security Perspective
Reeves maintained it was “the right thing to do from a security perspective” and affirmed the ticket values would be declared. Furthermore, she clarified that the hospitality seats she accepted were not available for public purchase. “They weren’t tickets that you were able to buy,” Reeves stated.
Starmer’s Similar Defense on Hospitality Tickets
Labour leader Keir Starmer has also similarly defended accepting Arsenal hospitality tickets, explaining his inability to use his regular season ticket seats due to security protocols.
Government Backing of MP Judgments on Hospitality
Number 10 has supported Reeves’s decision to accept the tickets, indicating ministers are permitted to make their own judgments on such matters. A spokesperson stated, “The prime minister supports all of his ministers making their own judgments in relation to these matters as per the ministerial code.”