Forum Topic

MPs ex's

I'm disgusted to read of so many MPs claiming such hugh expenses to fund their second homes. I know we've all "massaged" our expenses in the past(well at least some of us have), but to claim(demand) £800 for a Smeg cooker when they have superb dining facilities at their offices is going too far I think(and their canteens are open 24/7 so I'm told!  What is it that makes some people so greedy?  Off with their heads I say!   :-(

Gerry Tan ● 6703d20 Comments

Gerry,Some will weakly say it is 'human nature'to do that is too easy.I put it down to contempt for the public,a'let them eat cake' mentality that seems to be endemic amongst mps.Why do you think they are so resistant to scrutiny?Could it be there is a lot of sculduggery around?

Keith Iddon ● 6703d

I don't think anyone goes into politics to get rich quick but, somehow, when they get there they let themselves be sucked into the 'everyone does it' mentality.Maybe they genuinely believe their own hype that says they could all be earning millions in the real world if they hadn't selflessly devoted themselves to the service of their country, so they reckon they should be 'compensated'.

Susan Kelly ● 6703d

I see, among other things, that I am paying for Gordon's Sky subscription as well as mine!!!!!!

Colin Vaughan ● 6703d

What a cheek of Grumpy Gordo!  greed knows no bounds!

Gerry Tan ● 6703d

Just for a moment when I read the heading Gerry, I thought you were refering to MPs ex Mistresses/Lovers etc. I'm dammed if I am expected to pay for them as well I thought!

Colin Vaughan ● 6703d

Pay them more to start off with and then ban them having all these other expenses.

Philippa Bond ● 6703d

I can see they might want a 24-hour news service but buy them a Freeview box from Tesco, not a Sky sub.

Susan Kelly ● 6702d

Thw whole expenses thing is an absolute outrage. I think the "second" homes should be government owned.... and if the MPs lose their position they then lose the house. The same house should then be offered to the new MP and if they choose not to take it then thats their look out and should then be responsible for their own housing needs.... a bit like the council housing scheme.All houses should be perfectly livable condition and if the MPs decide to renovate or do any work on the property should then come out of their own pockets. It would be interesting to see if they still shop at John Lewis or Woolworths.They should also be paid more as a basic sallary in order to stop the expenses fiasco.These people claim what they can BECAUSE they can and not because its right.

Andy Wright ● 6702d

I would have thought that No 10 would have had access to all the News outlets via its own Cable links anyway. He probably wants it for Sky Movies/Sports, which he probably does'nt have direct access to.

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

Just for once I find myself agreeing with everyone!  I suspect the present incumbents are feathering their nests while they can,unfortunately history tells us that it wont be any different with the next ones.  While we're at it,the question should be asked,do we still need 643 of 'em?   It's just possible that in horse drawn days of yore it may have been necessary to have that number,but in the days of fast travel,and excellent communications,I'd have thought that number could at least be halved and possibly quartered.  Except for important votes, both houses are nigh on empty for most of the time,and are deserted on Poets day.(They invented that acronym)   Definately a case of less is more methinks.

Tony Wood ● 6702d

Slight flaw in that argument Tony, it all hinges round the question of should your MP take up the issues which affect the local community that he or she represents. Now my MP lives in the Constituency, and is certainly very active in local affairs. Hospital and Post Office closures are examples of this.I guess that judging by comments on this subject in this Forum, poor old Ealing has been a looser. In fact there might be a case fot increasing the numbers on environmental grounds, because your suggestion would increase the need for travel, although your point about modern communications is perfectly valid. Perhaps we could close the Palace of Westminster down altogether, and Video Conference everything, insisting that every MP lives in their own Constituency. That way the need for travel except within Constituency boundaries would be minimised. With more members but smaller constituency areas, we might just get the sort of people who cared about the substance of politics, rather than their own personal needs. Many constituencies suffer from anonimous faceless representatves. Ealing at least in the past appears to be one. I am afraid Tony, that your idea would mean facelessness all round. What about the vast tracts of Scotland did I hear someone say? Well with their desire for independance becoming a reality it won't be our problem!

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

Do you really see Gordon settling down to watch Sleepless in Seattle after a hard day at the coal face? Politicians have no hobbies or interests except politics, which is why they seem to live on a different planet to the rest of us.

Susan Kelly ● 6702d

Well you don't know what goes on behind people's front doors Susan. He might be watching Curling on Sports 3 maybe,or dare I say it Playboy one or something. Life is full of surprises. Go back in History a little way to John Major, or farther back to Lloyd George, the mind boggles.

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

Colin  I'm pleased that you only found a "slight flaw" in my non arguement!  I'm not sure that Ealing has been treated any differently to anyone else,Britain has been treated badly for eons,I only live in Ealing occasionally (last week for instance)so I could easily be wrong!  I can't find any valid reason for increasing the number of MPs at all,other than that the prisons are full,and we could keep a closer eye on more criminals.Nope we don't need more,just less that work harder and aren't deaf to the publics concerns,I'm still seething over the Iraq situation...I'd guess that at least 75% of the population didn't want it,they all knew it would go mammaries skyward,but did they listen???  Video conferencing wont work I'm afraid,anarchy would reign without someone (the speaker)yelling "order" every two minutes,so I think we still need the PoW,including those Lords that are both alive and awake.   As for my idea leading to facelessness all round,it may,but given the current twofacedness of politicians of all hues,I'd say that might be an improvement.  Scotland eh? Did you put that bit in as a baited hook? You'll know that I live here most of the time (where it's Scorchio today for a change). Well are you certain that Scotland wants independence? I don't see too much evidence of that,I see a heck of a lot more Union Flags up here than I do in Ealing. I suspect that you are jumping to a conclusion that "fits your bill". If you are assuming that because Alex Salmond is the first minister,that all Scots have voted for independence...I don't think that to be the case,I think the truth is that like folk down South,they wanted to kick the Government in the teeth,and had an earlier opportunity to do so,as simple as that,they had nobody else to vote for,nothing sinister!  Personally I wouldn't be too eager to get rid of the troublesome Scots,it seems that if Scotland does become a state in it's own right,then according to the European Parliament,North Sea Oil in Scottish waters would become Scottish property...That at least bares thinking about doesn't it?Toodle Ooo tha' nooo.

Tony Wood ● 6702d

Fair point, Colin. I remember being amazed that any woman was prepared to sleep with John Major or Robin Cook.

Susan Kelly ● 6702d

Certainly not Prescott, but then it is said that Power turns some women on, Hmmmm!

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

There is another point Tony. It is said that entering the 'Portals of Power', makes Politicians forget what ordinary life is like, they get cut off from reality.Most of them have never experienced the rough side of earning money anyway. If the constituencies are so large, that they cannot possibly deal with anything at a local level at all, then surely they cease to represent anything at all. Hence my point that A) The MP must live in the constituency, and B)It should smaller so that people can interface on a daily basis to help concentrate the mind on what is important. To do this though you would have to attract a different kind of person into politics. Someone who puts the interests of the electorate first. Not very likely I think.

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

Better Prescott than Cook or Major.

Susan Kelly ● 6702d

Well Susan, if I was a Woman I'd be pretty desparate and hard up to have any of them!

Colin Vaughan ● 6702d

Colin, are you saying that if you were a woman you would be desperate and hard up? Come now! I'm sure you'd make a lovely woman.

Susan Kelly ● 6701d