Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#1
MPs expenses have been published for 2007/8 and while not casting aspertions about all of those who claim certain expenses, some MPs of all Parties, stand out and deserved to be recognised. We hear so much about those allegedly on the take I am sure we can all recognise the good guys.....
Thanks to Conhome for the following information.
Only nine of the 570 MPs with constituencies outside of London claim not a penny to cover a second home, of which five are Conservatives:
Adam Afriyie (Windsor)
Richard Benyon (Newbury)
Philip Dunne (Ludlow)
Anne Milton (Guildford)
Rob Wilson (Reading East)
Then there are:
Celia Barlow (Lab, Hove)
David Howarth (Lib Dem, Cambridge)
Geoffrey Robinson (Lab, Coventry North West)
Martin Salter (Lab, Reading West)
I recognise though one name that has had some questions against him in the past, he was connected with some Mandelson allegations from memory, thats Robinson, a very wealthy individual.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#2
hardly surprising, they are all commuting towns with excellent rail connections to central london.
the only exceptions are ludlow and coventry.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#3
Yes, howard but it does place those many MPs who also live within easy commuting distance and claim a second home allowance into stark contrast.
Dont get me wrong, I am not against a second home allowance, as such, but the rules are clearly too loose as we can see from some abuses and need tightening. Bear in mind late night sittings, there may not always be a rail service to get MPs home. Also the circumstances of each MP is different and several of those above are wealthier, perhaps, than the average and may be able to afford a chauffer service when needed or have London bases they dont claim for. Incidentally, Adam Alfreya does not claim travel either, along with a few others who live closer to Westminster.
It does demonstrate that not all MPs are in it for all they can get out of it.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
late night sittings are not as regular as they once were.
when an event happens, why not just bed down in a standard budget hotel?
this is what major companies do when a rail strike threatens to disrupt their business.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
#5
Simple Solution
1. disallow all out of pocket and housing related expenses
2. All travel must be booked centrally through an approved travel booker and paid for out of central funds (allow 1 return fare per week to their constituency) for MPs more than 1.5 hours travel for Westminster, those who live closer provide them with a rail season ticket and travelcard/oystercard
3. Have a central hire service for cars - i.e. no car allowances - but with a limit on usage
4. Pay secretarial assistance and researchers from central funds on an agreed national salary (stops the abuse of hiring relatives at silly salries)
5. No house allowances - but allow reimbursement of rent for MPs that live more than 1.5 hours travel from Westminster up to a maximum of £18,000 per year
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#6
This is an interesting viewpoint from Political Betting.
Should Gordon Brown have been seen to close down the issue and sack her? Will his failure to do so hit him electorally?
I dont know but Mike Smithson is right that this issue has chimed with the public.
http://politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2009/03/31/will-gord-regret-not-sacking-jacqui/Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#7
There is ,apparently,according to parliamentary pundits a cabinet reshuffle looming at which stage I think and hope that Ms Smith(how come she doesn't share her husbands surname...just wondering...) gets the order of the boot.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#8
I think this has all got so out of hand and needs a major change.
Like Barryw says there are MP's that don't claim, but there are MP's that do and have got greedy, and they come from all parties.
Unless we get to grips with this issue we are in danger of turning even more people off politics anfd its hard enough to engage with them as it is!
I do hope this issue does get a serious review and action taken.
Theres a lot of good in what Ross says.
After all in todays climate and MP's wages alone its hard for anyone to justify whats happening at mo
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#9
A simple solution.
Pay MPs a set salary say £100k per annum.They then decide how best to spend their money.
Junior Ministers to PM on a sliding scale.
All secretarial and support staff to be supplied by properly vetted UK civil servants.
You could then do away with the expenses dept.
It would be interesting to see how many jollies the MP's undertook overseas knowing that the dosh for the trip would have to be met from their own yearly income.
It would leave Jacqui Smith to watch as many porn movies she could afford or desire.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#10
barry
stuart wheeler gives much better odds, try him.
marek
once they got the 100 grand, a decision would be made not to answer too many letters, hence secretarial help not needed.