To what extent will former MPs be employed?

Such is the ruthless nature of politics that MPs can lose their jobs overnight and be left with a starting salary of £91,000.

As one of the most dramatic general elections in a generation draws to a close, how will long-serving politicians bounce back after losing their seats — and what support is available for those facing potential job losses?

Peter Aldous, like hundreds of other MPs, mainly Conservative, lost his seat last week.

He had served in Waveney, Suffolk, for 14 years and was standing in the newly created constituency of Lowestoft. The Labour Party was defeated by a majority of 2,000 votes.

“My whole political career is doomed to failure,” says a dejected Aldous.

“And now I don’t know what to do next…I’m 62 years old. How employable is a former congressman?”

“Of course I wanted to be re-elected,” he said, “but halfway through the campaign I realized I was going to be facing a situation like this.”

“My staff and supporters are extremely upset and I support them.”

Aldous’ office employed four staff members who will now be laid off, and he said he feels “guilty” about the incident.

On Sunday he visited Westminster to tidy up his parliamentary offices.

“I’m a former chartered surveyor but I wasn’t involved in that since becoming an MP,” he says.

“Things are changing so I don’t think I’ll ever do surveying again.

“I’m starting with a clean slate… I’m not sure yet if I’ll stay in politics.”

Aldous described representing Waveney as a “great honour”.

“Time will tell if I’ve left a lasting legacy,” he added.

Like all MPs defeated in the general election, Aldous is entitled to help planning for his future and “adjusting to life outside Parliament”.

Through taxpayer money, the House funds a “transition” service that helps “outgoing members” with career planning, resume writing, interview techniques, and more.

We also provide advice on personal security issues, the return of IT equipment, GDPR-compliant back-up of personal data and mental health services.

The recent changes to how former MPs are treated by the House of Commons were introduced following reports that many former MPs were left behind in the House of Commons. “Financially and career-wise on the brink.”

House officials hope the move will make becoming a member of Congress a more attractive career.

“If you approach this role as I have, it’s absolutely relentless,” says former Conservative MP Duncan Baker.

“Since the day I was elected, I haven’t had a single day off. Friendships have disappeared because I simply don’t have the time.”

Baker, 44, had represented North Norfolk since 2019, but Last week the Liberal Democrats won with a majority of 3,000 votes..

“In a way, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” he says.

“I’m really looking forward to having my family back. I’ve really missed them.”

The former member of parliament Loss of Office Payments (LOOP) and Liquidation PaymentsThat’s the equivalent of four months’ salary.

Asked how he felt about losing his £91,000-a-year salary, Mr Baker, a father of two young daughters, said: “It’s difficult.”

“But you have to act wisely and prepare for such an eventuality and have enough savings to survive for the next few days,” he added.

“I’m very lucky that my wife and I work so hard together.”

The House of Representatives gives outgoing lawmakers four months to end their term.

For Mr Baker, a qualified chartered accountant, it means closing his local constituency office, supporting six staff with redundancies and ending the contract with his London family who had rented a room from him to support him in Westminster.

He said he was now looking at “commercial opportunities”, including in the charity sector, and ruled out an automatic return to politics.

“I’ve had a lot of fun doing what I’ve done… but in a broader sense I feel like my time is over,” he added.

“I wouldn’t say never, but I would like to step away from public life at this point.”