MP’s and their Expenses - Page 3

Wynonie Harris · 28-05-2008, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

M.Ps aren't 'thieving rats'....they are parasites. They live high on the hog off our hard earned money. They lie, they cheat and yet they call one another 'The Honourable Member for.....'!
The country and its finances are in a real state and yet these folk think they can allow themselves another £40K per year from the pockets of the people.
They want shooting...except it would be a waste of lead.

Nail hit right on the head! Karma sent.

jaysay · 28-05-2008, 09:32

I don't think anyone would begrudge MPs any reasonable allowances for expenses, but what s going on at the momeant is just taking the p***. When you hear about our erstwhile Prime Minister, re-mortgaging his house for double or treble its value, then claiming the interest back of the tax payer is, to say the least a bit dodgy. If we did it the police would be very interested, but yet it appears that under the rules it was legit, in whic case we should all play by the same rules

Margaret Pilkington · 28-05-2008, 10:32

They aren't going to be too worried about the price of staple foods jumping up in price..........and the amazing thing is no politician ever retires from politics as a poor man.
Now it is clear why......we are paying their everyday expenses.

cashman · 28-05-2008, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay

I don't think anyone would begrudge MPs any reasonable allowances for expenses, but what s going on at the momeant is just taking the p***. When you hear about our erstwhile Prime Minister, re-mortgaging his house for double or treble its value, then claiming the interest back of the tax payer is, to say the least a bit dodgy. If we did it the police would be very interested, but yet it appears that under the rules it was legit, in whic case we should all play by the same rules

agree jaysay, but since when have the same rules applyed to any of em? why they are even allowed to smoke in the commons bar i believe.

garinda · 28-05-2008, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

why they are even allowed to smoke in the commons bar i believe.

No they can't, after it became public knowledge about that little loop hole, they had to change their minds on that one.

jaysay · 28-05-2008, 11:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

No they can't, after it became public knowledge about that little loop hole, they had to change their minds on that one.

Much in the same way they had a rethink onthe 10p tax booboo and are now thinking about the road fund licence

katex · 28-05-2008, 13:21

I worked alongside a Tameside M.P. (and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committe then) for 16 years, and must admit never saw any misuse of his expenses.

He would have to pay his Secretary (very well I imagine), use of the office within the business (albeit he had an interest). Stationery, computers and the travel to and from London ... at least once a week.

He also had to invest in a flat in London and look smart at all times.

Sure some do take advantage, but am fairly confident that this gentleman did not. Never took holidays abroad, and always worked extremely hard for his constituents.

MargaretR · 28-05-2008, 13:35

One rotten apple misuses the system, then they all wan't a bit of it.
Corruption needs to be nipped in the bud early, or it becomes part of the system.

Margaret Pilkington · 28-05-2008, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by katex

I worked alongside a Tameside M.P. (and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committe then) for 16 years, and must admit never saw any misuse of his expenses.

He would have to pay his Secretary (very well I imagine), use of the office within the business (albeit he had an interest). Stationery, computers and the travel to and from London ... at least once a week.

He also had to invest in a flat in London and look smart at all times.

Sure some do take advantage, but am fairly confident that this gentleman did not. Never took holidays abroad, and always worked extremely hard for his constituents.

So that was ONE honourable MP.........I wonder if this is where the phrase 'exception tests the rule' comes in?

Bonnyboy · 28-05-2008, 14:05

Apparently there are four proposals which they might be voting on

1 The 23k per year
2 £175 p/day allowance
3 Higher wages to cover expenditure
4 Keep things as they are

Looks fairly cushy whatever they might opt for, they shouldn’t even be thinking of voting on this, some independent body needs to be formed to clean up Westminster.

Margaret Pilkington · 28-05-2008, 14:18

Personally, I think their pay should be performance related....and on current performance we would all be due a hefty rebate!

jambutty · 28-05-2008, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

Apparently there are four proposals which they might be voting on

1 The 23k per year
2 £175 p/day allowance
3 Higher wages to cover expenditure
4 Keep things as they are

Looks fairly cushy whatever they might opt for, they shouldn’t even be thinking of voting on this, some independent body needs to be formed to clean up Westminster.

£175 per day adds up to £63,875 per year. Even if you take out weekends and holidays it still adds up to more than £23,000.

Guess which proposal they will vote for.

It is unlikely to be proposal 4 though.

The problem is that we want the people who make the rules to change them to their disadvantage. It’s just not going to happen.

Bonnyboy · 28-05-2008, 14:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

£175 per day adds up to £63,875 per year. Even if you take out weekends and holidays it still adds up to more than £23,000.

Guess which proposal they will vote for.

It is unlikely to be proposal 4 though.

The problem is that we want the people who make the rules to change them to their disadvantage. It’s just not going to happen.

The last paragraph seems to have hit the nail squarely on the head

BERNADETTE · 28-05-2008, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonnyboy

Apparently there are four proposals which they might be voting on

1 The 23k per year
2 £175 p/day allowance
3 Higher wages to cover expenditure
4 Keep things as they are

Looks fairly cushy whatever they might opt for, they shouldn’t even be thinking of voting on this, some independent body needs to be formed to clean up Westminster.

£175 per day what planet are these people living on? It is unbelievable. Agree with you BB an independent body should be brought in to sort it but then again it would probably be another fat cat so it would be pointless!!

derekgas · 28-05-2008, 14:28

An independent body would cost another fortune, with the taxpayer footing the bill again, we have a FREE option to stop this, it is called 'get yer backsides to the polling station'.