MP-Sexpenses-grrr

[Big Nick]

I'd like to know why the MP for Epping Forest claims for a flat in central London when she lives 1 hour away by public transport. If everyone else in her constituency has to travel all that way home at the end of a long day, why shouldn't she?

[Bookworm]

Same for Mr Ottoway, Croydon Sth.

 

East Croydon to Victoria: 16 mns.

 

Thousands of people manage it every day.

 

Croydon South MP refuses to comment on his £21,481 of expenses

[The GodMother]

As this is the Bear Garden and we cant give rep points i am going to tell u all who i would have repped for there comments.

 

Sillygirl1, Dont give me ideas a moat and Doorstoppers is a good one.

 

Thialand, expenses info required for votes. Thats a good one.

 

Big Nick, she claims a second home allowance for that journey where do i claim my second home allowance to visit my mum?

 

Bookworm, Also a disgrace i need a second home allowance to visit my local high street cause thats about 15 mins walk away.

[Tawnyowl]

MMM-maybe a lot of vacancys soon-Termination of employment may occur either voluntarily, through resignation or retirement, or compulsorily. Compulsory termination of employment is the responsibility of the Clerk of the Parliaments and may be by compulsory retirement or dismissal for inefficiency or for a disciplinary offence. The Clerk of the Parliaments may make arrangements to delegate his responsibility under this paragraph.Goodbye=MPs

[Big Nick]

It gets better and better. My MP, Eleanor Laing, has avoided paying £180,000 Capital Gains Tax on selling her London flat because it is her PRIMARY residence despite claiming Parliamentary expenses on it as her SECONDARY residence.

 

The rules need amending and fast.

[Thailand]

How very noble of her.

 

My MP's minion has got back to me stating she will 'respond' (on my asking to see her expenses) when I provide my address.

 

Heck, I'm not telling them that.....I fear I'll find myself on a 'victim list'.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Sexpenses grrr, indeed. Personally, I'm getting a little tired of people ranting about MPs espenses. It's been happening for decades, probably longer. It's not news, people.

 

What also isn't news is that you're being tricked - rather obviously I'm afraid - into perpetuating a media-led ****storm to sell papers. Those with memories marginally longer than the interval between the servings of whatever mindless TV drivel they use to keep themselves sedated about the world they live in, will recall with great vividity that this is not the first time public-purse plundering by MPs has hit the spotlight.

 

Reforms will only happen short term, to keep the public happy, not long term. Never do. Half the MPs caught this time said that the Fees Office advised them as to how to do it. It's institutionalised. Public office IS corruption. Always has been. Always will be.

 

If you really think it'll have a lasting effect then you're hopelessly naive. As soon as the coverage dies down - and it will, since the story's got a shelf life and none of the papers actually care about it - all the fuss will go away. This is what government does. Kickbacks, bumped up expenses, quangos, jobs for the boys... Yes Minister was making jokes about it thirty-odd years ago.

 

Bah.

Edited May 30, 2009 by Tezcatlipoca

[Thailand]

With respect, Tez, It is news to many.

 

I know what you're saying, but it just adds fuel to the ever-growing 'can't trust 'em' theory.

 

Everyone is not as educated as you, matey.

 

Kickback central. God knows how I'lll vote. I won't probably...but just how will that change owt!

 

I'm not 'educated' either btw (though I'm no demic) what should I do about my vote? I'm actually asking lol!

[Big Nick]

Yes Minister was 30 years ago. Even allowing for repeats on TV, many of us don't recall when the last big uproar about MP expenses was.

 

One thing fuelling this is that many people are tired of Labour and want a change in leadership in the hope that an election will change the mess we are in.

[The GodMother]

How very noble of her.

 

My MP's minion has got back to me stating she will 'respond' (on my asking to see her expenses) when I provide my address.

 

Heck, I'm not telling them that.....I fear I'll find myself on a 'victim list'.

 

 

Offer to save the tax payers money and pick them up when ur next in the area of her office. That way they dont get ur address and she does not have to claim for postage.

[Tezcatlipoca]

Yes Minister was 30 years ago.

 

Indeed. As I clearly stated at the end of my last post.

 

Even allowing for repeats on TV, many of us don't recall when the last big uproar about MP expenses was.

 

2004. You don't remember it? That's kind of the point.

 

Corruption is a part of the institution and always has been. If anyone thinks that anyone in government or in opposition really wants it to change, then you are sadly mistaken.

 

Actually, I'm not so depressed by the apparant inability of the population at large to see when they're been taken for a ride as I am by the disturbing misdirection of feeling. I would - perhaps foolishly - argue that the issues that should be in all the papers, that should be on the public's lips, that should cause resignations are those issues regarding social injustices, our continued governmental support of illegal war and occupation, international corruption, supression of women's rights, government-funded perpetuation of tyranny in developing nations; the list is near endless.

 

Those matters which impact negatively on us as a species, which are immoral or inhuman are those which should demand greatest public scrutiny, and by extension the greatest governmental accountability, not whether MPs lifted a few quid from the public purse.

[indebtstudent]

Define irony - the phrase rewards for failure, used in relation to bankers bonuses, coming back to bite MP's on the behind. Unless of course we all agree they are doing a fab job...

 

Joking aside though there's 250million people in America and I believe they have a similar number of representitives. (may even be less?).

 

Also I'm sure I remember hearing that the European Parliament's accounts haven't been signed off for like a decade. Our MP's expenses might be the tip of the iceburg.

 

There are two things I see as the worst aspect of this whole affair:-

 

The pathetic objection "but I haven't broken the rules", when in truth this is only true because the rules are so stupendously permissive it would take some doing to directly break them.

 

And the fact this information wasn't freely and openly available as a matter of course. It is shameful that the mother of all parliaments would conceal this info and rely on a whistleblower to shop all the dodgy goings on. Truly shameful.

 

It must be tough to live on only £63000 a year.

[The GodMother]

I got a begging letter off our MP today

 

'I want to put the record straight. When i was first elected i decided not to purches property in London but to rent instead'

 

I can post the whole thing if u want but its good for a begging letterwe have seen worse on here.

[Smeesue]

With respect, Tez, It is news to many.

 

I know what you're saying, but it just adds fuel to the ever-growing 'can't trust 'em' theory.

 

Everyone is not as educated as you, matey.

 

Kickback central. God knows how I'lll vote. I won't probably...but just how will that change owt!

 

I'm not 'educated' either btw (though I'm no demic) what should I do about my vote? I'm actually asking lol!

 

 

Thailand, try Politics Without Parties JURY TEAM

 

All people just like us - members of the public who have had enough and actually want to make a difference. And all bound by a code of conduct that will see them dragged through the courts by the founder, Sir Paul Judge, should they break it. They're operating under juryteam as an umbrella although they're actually independents; but, without the party umbrella, they get none of the benefits that the parties do - free media coverage for broadcasts, free mail shots via RM etc etc. There are candidates standing all over the country today in local and EP elections, and they'll be standing in the general election too.

 

The party system is inherently corrupt but not voting won't change that. And we have simply got to get the current shower out, and not let either of their sidekicks, lib dems or cons, in either - there isn't a pin to pick between the two. Our politics is controlled by a corrupt, three ring circus and the only way to change it is to break that stranglehold. While many are aware that the expenses fiasco has been happening for years, it's only now that everyone knows about it. And, with a bit of luck, people will be so angry they'll remember the two most important things about governments and people

 

1) people should not be afraid of their government - governments should be afraid of their people.

 

2) the government doesn't have the power, we do, but only if we stand together when making demands and telling them what to do.

[yourbank]

I think it is important for people to vote today to make their protest over the expenses issue. I am unfortunately in an constituency in which my local MP has been in The Telegraph for doing the right thing rather than claiming for duck ponds, phantom mortgages, or even dry rot for houses.

So I used the European ballot paper to not vote for the major political parties in Westminster.

 

Can I mention this Smeesue, I don't think I received or read or heard from any of the candidate for The JURY TEAM at all in my constituency. In fact, I walked past a sign on my way to the polling station today and spotted it and thought nothing about it until I saw the ballot paper of 13 for the European elections(Eastern Region, for reference). I didn't vote for them because I don't know what they are or who they are or what they are about. I knew about Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, some of the smaller parties and BNP.

Canvassing didn't work for THE JURY TEAM in my area at all so I didn't vote for that party.

[Smeesue]

Yourbank, juryteam are very new and, as such, have been working on a very constricted time table. It's entirely possible that the candidate has been out and about and simply not got to your street. I organised for my candidate to come up here, but he's a personal friend of mine so I knew what he was doing and it was relatively easy for me to sort out. It's my fault he's doing it, in a way - he'd come on the boards and grouch and I'd say, well, you know what to do; get up off your bum and do something about it, so he did

 

They didn't expect to do much at these elections, it was more of an opportunity to start getting themselves known as contenders, but then the expenses row broke and they realised that they actually had a chance. I'd be very surprised if none of the candidates were elected. Juryteam is a different concept to party politics, and one that has a chance to be honest right from the start. They don't have the resources of the mainstream parties, and most of the work is done by people like me - no pay, just a belief that what they're doing is right. They had a month, from their primaries, to organise leaflets and volunteers to distribute them. At the next election, expect to see a lot more of them; they'll have had time to get properly organised and familiarise people with the concept.

 

Btw, how do you equate 'doing the right thing' with all the MP's who are polishing their halos and saying things like "well, the system is overdue for reform, we know this" etc etc when those very same MP's haven't said a word before the Telegraph started publishing things? That doesn't strike me as doing the right thing, that's more like toeing the party line and hoping like hell their constituents don't notice!

[yourbank]

I hope that they do well today and hopefully once they are fully operational so to speak they can get backers who can help with the cost of a general election campaign which we know WILL be a good opportunity as by then we will know fully about MP's and expenses.

[Tawnyowl]

MP 'Claimed £57k To Rent Flat From Own Firm' - Yahoo! News UK

[Tawnyowl]

Treasury minister Kitty Ussher resigns - Yahoo! News UK

[Rippedoff2008]

Been having a quick look at a certain MP in Dewsbury. Month 1 claims £2600 for 40inch tv and dvd home theatre system. Month 2 claims £500 for a hi-fi system. Month 3 claims £300 for 60gb Ipod. Things they need to run their second home within the course of their job? Also lives alone according to council tax, but has claimed for 2 sets of bedside lamps and 2 bedside tables, twice.

[Tawnyowl]

grrrrr-Members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious," it says, adding that "claims must only be made for expenditure that it was necessary for a member to incur to ensure that he or she could properly perform his or her parliamentary duties".Dawn Butler

The Labour government whip, who goes head to head against Sarah Teather in Brent at the next general election, claimed for a jacuzzi-style bath to be fitted in her second home in north London.

Jacqui Smith

The former home secretary claimed for a bath plug costing 88p. It was one of the more innocuous of the claims that got her into trouble: pornographic films sat uneasily alongside a kitchen sink purchase, which cost £550.

Shaun Woodward

The wealthiest MP in the Commons nevertheless thought it was appropriate to claim for a Crunch Corner yoghurt costing 38p.

Fabian Hamilton

Among the Leeds North East MP's £171,824 total expenses claim was a claim for an iPod Nano in his communications allowance.

David Cameron

David who? His leadership of the Conservative party hit a low ebb before the 2007 party conference, but he reasserted his authority with an impressive off-the-cuff leader's speech. He certainly prioritises working hard on the art of oratory: £10.99 was charged on expenses for the purchase of a Penguin book on historic speeches.

Jeremy Hunt

Shadow media secretary Jeremy Hunt was responding to the Digital Britain report on Tuesday, in which he reacted angrily to the government's determination to impose a levy on telecoms charges. Mr Hunt knows a thing or two about the cost of using mobile phones: he claimed for a 12-second phone call costing just 1p.

Julia Goldsworthy

Over to the Liberal Democrats, and Julia Goldsworthy - one of the Commons' youngest members. Her claims included a designer pink rocking chair costing £912, which was later repaid, £291 for a matching pink footstool and £89 - for a dustbin.

Lembit Opik

Sometimes you just have to purchase hil-a-rious wigs as the best way of using taxpayers' money. Opik purchased two pieces of headwear - The Mother of All Wigs, costing £19.99, and a Filmstar wig costing £9.99 - to wear at a charitable event.

Alex Salmond

The Scottish first minister was an MP when he and others racked up £14,100 in legal costs in an attempt to impeach Tony Blair. Astonishingly, the funds were charged to the law firm in which Mr Blair's wife Cherie is a partner. Mr Salmond has defended the claim.

George Osborne

The shadow chancellor, we hope, is good with money, and made sure this was the case by taking advice from himself. The purchase of two DVDs of his comments to the Commons on getting value for taxpayers' money was, in its own way, perhaps the most absurd claim of all.

[Tawnyowl]

David Cameron

David who? His leadership of the Conservative party hit a low ebb before the 2007 party conference, but he reasserted his authority with an impressive off-the-cuff leader's speech. He certainly prioritises working hard on the art of oratory: £10.99 was charged on expenses for the purchase of a Penguin book on historic speeches. Now this one really riles me.I know of a bricklayer,who to better himself,left school with 12 GCEs,then served a three year Apprenticeship ,and has now done 8 years work.He decided to go to college one day a week,to move up in the industry,maybe become a site manager or more.For a firm he worked for,to benefit them.The firm,a big one wouldnt pay for the course but allowed him the day off without pay.He paid over 3 thousand pounds bought his own books and is just about to get his diploma,he succeeded.Kind of puts things in perspective,Grrr.

[gyzmo]

On the point of MPs overpayments for council tax, can I expect to see the relevant councils taking them to court for the overpayments, like my council is doing for a claim I am actually entitled to?

 

Thought not.

[letshelp]

In defence of MPs expense claims, I have studied the rules and the green book, I have checked every claim made and they are correct, it is all within the rules, because nowhere does it state, 'No Fiddling'.

regards

[Castlebest]

They keep saying its within the rules but they made the rules!!!

 

I wonder how long the fraud squad and Inland Revenue would hold back if The General Medical Council or the Legal Bar wrote its own rules for whats allowable in an expense claim?

 

And once we have that precedence set what about the Royal Institute of British Architects, The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.... The Transport and General Workers Union etc etc writing their own rules?

 

Its the house of commons... the house of common people... they are NOT above the law which includes the fraud squad and the Inland Revenue.