Jacob Rees-Mogg is a master at fusing politics and drama.

In this regard, only performance artist Boris Johnson currently surpasses the Conservative MP.

The stylized antiquity of Rees-Mogg, which has earned him various derisive nicknames 'MP for the nineteenth century' or 'Victorian undertaker', stands in stark contrast to Johnson's stylized nonchalance.

Both are media stars who supplement their £84,144 MP salary with paid appearances.

Gina Thomas

Features correspondent based in London.

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Johnson raked in £1.8million in perquisites from speaking alone last year.

Rees-Mogg, who already does a fortnightly "moggcast" for the non-partisan right-wing blog Conservative Home, will soon host a chat show for the grassroots channel GB News, which he hailed as a "bastion of free speech".

The employer reciprocated the compliment by characterizing the new presenter as an "authentic and authoritative voice" with "refreshing directness and a mischievous sense of fun".

Rees-Mogg, who filled a West End theater to capacity a few years ago, will take his show across the country discussing current affairs in front of a live audience.

The business secretary, who served briefly under Liz Truss, says he is determined to let people with a wide range of perspectives have their say.

In direct competition with him, his former cabinet colleague Nadine Dorries will host the show "Friday Night with Nadine" every week.

Boris Johnson, whom she adores, is announced as the first guest at Dorries next Friday.

She and Rees-Mogg are both among the former Prime Minister's staunchest supporters and would love to see him back in office.

Rees-Mogg even nominated Johnson over the weekend to succeed Nadhim Zahawi as party leader after Nadhim Zahawi was sacked.

And Dorries still views Johnson's ouster as a coup.

The former culture minister has received a rebuke from the (conservative) chair of the body that reviews business appointments from former ministers for compliance with the rules.

15.2 million perks

She had failed to ask the panel whether the moderating role was consistent with the principles.

A few years ago, the chairman had complained that shortly after leaving a post as Minister of State, Conservative MP Esther McVey was hired as a presenter at GB News without asking permission.

The complaint, however, had no consequences.

In Britain, more and more representatives of the people, particularly in the Conservative backbench, seem to regard their MP salary as an extra income.

Since the 2019 election, Conservatives have made £15.2million on the side.

For the House of Commons as a whole, the sum even amounts to £17.1 million.