MP's Exes, what's the answer?

[R1Geezer]

I say abolish them completely unless it's direct governement business, they get enough salary, if they don't like the conditions then get another job. Surely the rest of us apply for a job with a plan of actually being able to do that job. All this second home nonsense is a farce. FFS they didn't even get wages at all till about 1910!

[anotheoldgit]

Couldn't agree more.

First there should be a block of apartments, very close to London. Perhaps Chelsea Barracks or the Olympic village when the Olympics are over. To all those that think it would be too much of a security risk, the Royals seem to manage, and the MPs are all together during Prime Minister's Questions.

Others will say, we only get the politicians that we are prepared to pay for. Well we pay the present lot enough now, and look what we get from them.

Also reduce the number of MPs, for example one for each county or perhaps the maximum of three for the very large counties and large cities. A country the size of America has less members in their two houses, than this country has in their two houses.

[Ethel]

I agree in principle about the expenses, but would you prefer to go back to 1909 when only the extremely wealthy could afford to be in politics?

[andy-hughes]

I'm with AOG on the apartment idea. Any MP who'se constituancy is more than thirty miles out of London gets an apartment furnished to a basic and uniform standard - it is working accomodation after all. When the MP leaves Parliament, the apartment is passed on to the new incumbent.

There is no alowsance for food, only travel expenses for which mileage must be accounted for, and a standard rate paid, and public tansport must be used if it is available.

All grace-and-favour apartments are abolished.

So, what''s so hard about that? It's what the company who employ me company does.

[Ethel]

Well let's get Parliament sitting proper hours - finishing at 7 or 8pm, instead of the early hours of the morning.
Give MPs a semblance of family time.

[frodsham]

in 1991 in a matter of a couple of months I got married, passed my driving test and was rather busy. That particular month I genuinely forgot to pay my poll tax. I received a reminder from the council who very kindly added �10 costs. I paid the tax immediately.I wrote to them explaining I was a regular payer of the tax and asked them to waive the costs. They never even replied to my letter. I have wrote to jack Straw asking, him because he has forgotten to pay his council tax, could he possibly intervene on my behalf and try to get me a retrospective refund from the council who charged me costs. I am sure he will reply.

[paraffin]

There are enough decomissioned and deserted military camps around, some in the London area. Why not refurbish a few of those and turn them into suitable accommodation for those who have to be lodged overnight.

They could have a perimeter fence patrolled by armed guards with guard dogs on a 24 hour basis with the site modelled on a military camp.

There you go - problem solved! And a damned sight more cost effective than the present gravy train.

[Davethedog]

Lets not forget that as of now it hasn't been proved that any law has been broken, they just abused the system.

As much as I would love to get holier than thou about it, most would do the same not because they see it as an abuse but because its the way its. My bey is this has been going on for many, many years before any present member of Parliament was born.

Reform is simple - Central office pays any employees such as PA's etc All costs.

Only claim for expenses travel etc up to a set amount per annum anything over and above has to be authorised.

This is a storm in a teacup and a massive over reaction, you can expect it to die down quiet quickly now that the Tories have been implicated.

I'm with Steven Fry on this one.

[Oneeyedvic]

Of course in 1910 it was only the very rich who could vote at all (less than 40% of men and no women!)

Personally I have no issue with the pay that they receive - I would rather up it - something along the lines of the MD of a decent sized company.

I do agree that we probably have too many politicians - but I would also say that the political party system makes things more about rubbishing the other party than actually doing anything productive.

Incidentally AOG, whilst there are more in the Lords & Commons comapred to the United States, don't forget that each State has it's own State Government which are nothing like our local councils.

[jno]

the idea of moving them into the Olympic Village is excellent, oldgit.

But as for refusing them any expenses at all, that's overreacting. As I understand it, paying staff has to come out of their wages: they need to keep up offices in London and in their home constituency, and pay two lots of people to man them when they're not there. This is part of the job, though the actual cost will vary widely from one place to another, and needs to be paid for. I have no objection to paying for it.

[youngmafbog]

Simple, allowable as per IR35 like the rest of us.

ie if your job is expected to last over 2 years NO expenses.

So the answer, as to the rest of us is none. Its what they expect ev eryone else who is in temporary work to abide by: labours rules in particular Dawn Primarelo

[anotheoldgit]

Ethel

These are the sitting times, they now no longer sit until the early hours of the morning.

2.30-10.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays
11.30am-7.30pm on Wednesdays
10.30am-6.30pm on Thursdays
9.30am-3pm on sitting Fridays

What are the sitting (meeting) hours for Westminster Hall debates?

9.30am-2pm on Tuesdays
9.30-11.30am and 2.30-5pm on Wednesdays
2.30-5.30pm on Thursdays

[anotheoldgit]

http://extras.thesun.co.uk/news/mp_expenses/in clude.php

Is your MP amongst these?

[Haggisdj]

andy-hughes, we could always give them Luncheon Vouchers... what ever happened to them?

[mike1222]

It now appears that they will be paying back the most frivolous claims - so I suppose that makes everything OK!

[Ethel]

10.30 at night is still too late if you live way outside London.

[rov1200]

The pay comparison of MPs worldwide were shown in todays Times. Not only were UK politicians one of the highest paid, only eclipsed by the US, Japan and Germany, their expense claims were greater. Eastern European countries are paid as little as �10,000 and even France pays less than ours. They should be content with their �60,000 or so and is more than twice the pay of a nurse for doing less essential work. Their greed is only surpassed by the likes of Fred Goodwin.

[rov1200]

AOG your list shows the speaker or Tory MP Alan Hazelhurst being paid �142,000 for his own property over 7 years. Why has Cameron not included him in his piglets?

[vulcan]

principle no 5 in the Green Book states:
Members must ensure that claims do not give rise to,or give the appearance of giving rise to, an improper personal financial benefit to themselves or anyone else.
This principle is very easy to understand so either the MP's are stupid not to understand and shouldn't be running a market stall,let alone a country, or, they blatantly ignored the rule and are therefore crooks.Does this country really deserve an incompetent or crooked government ?
I realise that some of the items bought are borderline ,after all is manure a"personal financial benefit" or an essential item to run the country ?

[mike1222]

davethedog, you say, "Lets not forget that as of now it hasn't been proved that any law has been broken, they just abused the system."

Yes, it hasn't been proved but in some cases it should be tested by a court. Jack Straw must have signed some official form or other stating that he was paying full Council Tax, when in fact he was getting a 50% deduction. That form could be the basis of a prosecution. Would it be acceptable that any fraudster could say in retrospect that their fraud was a "mistake" and get away without prosecution? I think not.
This Liberal MP who allegedly had his mortgage interest paid on a London flat that he claimed as his second home, but it was allegedly being used by his student daughter, should be investigated as part of a criminal enquiry - evidence of her residence should be easy to gather from neighbours.
I'm sure their are lots of instances that could end with criminal prosecutions if they are investigated properly.

[sqad617]

Apparently Gordon Brown is suggesting checking receipts for expenses going back 4 yrs, so one might conclude that that would include Tony Blair..............and family.