MP's and Expenses

[hembo]

http://www.spinwatch.org.uk/blogs-mainmenu...second-jobs.the whole system is a mess .in between claiming their expenses and holding a second job,when can they be an mp? Edited May 12, 2009 by hembo

[Alan Stubbs]

http://www.spinwatch.org.uk/blogs-mainmenu...second-jobs.the whole system is a mess .in between claiming their expenses and holding a second job,when can they be an mp?

 

 

How many days a year does parliament sit

 

Earlie posts pointed out that a profession in the law or company directorships are certainly avenues which permit an MP to have a second, concurrent career.

 

An uncle of mine was an MP for 12 years and combined this with a career in the Post Office. He was looked upon as a highly regarded constituency MP.

[Vagabond]

The Conservative leader said a new scrutiny panel will be set up to assess all "excessive" expense claims by Tory MPs and where necessary order them to be repaid.

 

Any who refuse to return the cash will be stripped of the Tory whip and expelled from the parliamentary party, he told a Westminster news conference.

 

He said when he heard about claims for moats and swimming pools he was appalled. "I don't care if they were within the rules, they were wrong," he said.

 

That is a very smart initiative by Cameron. Obviously the right thing to do, and a vote catcher as well, particularly as so many Labour MPs and peers are still emulating David "I have done nothing wrong" Blunkett. Catches Brown flat-footed, not for the first time.

 

Chin up and take your punishment - the public will at least respect that - trying to pretend you were "within the rules" just makes matters worse.

[ayjay]

That is a very smart initiative by Cameron.

 

It's just a shame he didn't do it two days ago and really seize the initiative instead of waiting until his own MPs had been outed.

[Alan Stubbs]

That is a very smart initiative by Cameron. Obviously the right thing to do, and a vote catcher as well, particularly as so many Labour MPs and peers are still emulating David "I have done nothing wrong" Blunkett. Catches Brown flat-footed, not for the first time.

 

Chin up and take your punishment - the public will at least respect that - trying to pretend you were "within the rules" just makes matters worse.

 

 

The smart thing Cameron did was mention the 'moated' house..especially as the person involved deliberately gave a total breakdown of all expenditure for the work done, presented it as two lists... items for approval for payment from expenses and those paid for privately.

This was open and above board...but Cameron deliberately hid this in his comments for maximum impact. Had I complied with the rules and overtly declared what I had done only to be decried by my manager, I am not sure I would do anything other than look for ways to undermine them at their every turn.

However, in doing so, Cameron did make a point that the ivory tower brigade will have no place in any regime he runs. That's made his front bench look decidedly threadbare.

 

Vagabond...it'll be very difficult for Cameron's 'chinless wonders' to take punishment!

 

I'd not normally post with a slap at any single party..they're as bad as each other, but I couldn't resist the chance for a cheap shot!

[Sportsman]

I listened to interviews with Brown and Cameron on the radio this evening and the difference was noticeable.

 

Cameron - This is what I have done and this is what will happen

 

Brown - I have had discussions about setting up a committee to have talks about the situation.

 

Says it all really

[Vagabond]

I'd not normally post with a slap at any single party..they're as bad as each other,

 

 

Absolutely, and most will try to wriggle out from under, with a few voluntarily owning up and paying up. If nothing happened other than Brown setting up a committee, that would apply to all parties. The wrigglers would earn further contempt, those that paid up would retain at least SOME small level of respect.

 

What Cameron has ensured is that ALL of his OWN party will be in that second group. That's why it was a smart move.

 

"All as bad as each other" Yes, that's why I take particular pleasure to see Minge in difficulties - because LibDems are always side swiping at corruption and sleaze in the "other" parties, as if they themselves were squeaky clean.

 

....and BTW the Blairs are keeping very quiet about their massive property portfolio, accumulated whilst in office.

[Alan Stubbs]

Absolutely, and most will try to wriggle out from under, with a few voluntarily owning up and paying up. If nothing happened other than Brown setting up a committee, that would apply to all parties. The wrigglers would earn further contempt, those that paid up would retain at least SOME small level of respect.

 

What Cameron has ensured is that ALL of his OWN party will be in that second group. That's why it was a smart move.

 

"All as bad as each other" Yes, that's why I take particular pleasure to see Minge in difficulties - because LibDems are always side swiping at corruption and sleaze in the "other" parties, as if they themselves were squeaky clean.

 

....and BTW the Blairs are keeping very quiet about their massive property portfolio, accumulated whilst in office.

 

 

I thought Clegg's performance on the Today programme this morning was lamentable. He 'over-claimed' on the allowance for repairs to his driveway - please in the context of repairs, what's the difference between a drive-way and a moat? They were for second houses, not primary residences, unless declared as such - and we can, as individuals declare which residence is our primary residence - if we have more than one, but it was his 'I am hairier chested than the other two' really irritating....when you stand a cat's chance in hell of forming a government it's easy to pontificate and stamp your feet - Paddy Ashdown made a career of it.

 

You're quite right about Brown's performance - it's all about control from the centre, management drivel and hopefully the issue will die a death. Cameron was far more direct about standards he intends imposing on his front bench primarily and then his MP's. I hope he gets the chance to follow it through.

 

By far the most important contribution was his dressing down of kate Hoey for daring to criticise his performance. Michael martin is a lame duck Spoeaker - he is in acute embarrassment as he had already been caught with his nose in the trough over charging his domestic expenses to the tax payer. Oh, well...Once a union rep. always a union rep. For Michael martin, read the barry Humphries' character Lance Boyle - you'll get the idea.

[Emma two]

I was delighted to see former minister Elliot Morley's mugshot opening this evenings TV news, apparently he has been rumbled after claiming for a non existant mortgage, wonderful! I had a head-to-head with him at a labour party conference a few years ago when I was working with the British Field Sports Society (BFSS) and he worked himself up into a self rightious, literally foaming at the mouth frenzy and stated that if he could have his way I would go to jail, based upon my admission that I hunted rabbits and foxes. I don't suppose it will happen but it would be splendid to see him doing porridge for being a thief.

 

The programme completed my evening reporting MUFC's victory over Wigan, leaving us needing only one point only one point from the last 2 games to secure another premiership championship. The reds go marching on!

[Alan Stubbs]

I was delighted to see former minister Elliot Morley's mugshot opening this evenings TV news, apparently he has been rumbled after claiming for a non existant mortgage, wonderful! I had a head-to-head with him at a labour party conference a few years ago when I was working with the British Field Sports Society (BFSS) and he worked himself up into a self rightious, literally foaming at the mouth frenzy and stated that if he could have his way I would go to jail, based upon my admission that I hunted rabbits and foxes. I don't suppose it will happen but it would be splendid to see him doing porridge for being a thief.

 

The programme completed my evening reporting MUFC's victory over Wigan, leaving us needing only one point only one point from the last 2 games to secure another premiership championship. The reds go marching on!

 

 

Emma, I was going to post regarding Elliot Morley's 'revelation'. I nearly had an incontinent moment when he said he 'felt awful' about claiming for a non-existent mortgage.

 

Two thoughts went through my mind... in order of going through my mind:

1) He feels awful for getting caught, or awful for having made a 'genuine' error? We need to know, but I doubt the truth ever will out.

 

2) What does it tell you about the people overseeing the expenses claims? It's hardly thorough, is it? The person responsible for running the scrutineering team was recenty commenting on the Speaker's response to his warnings about MP's expenses.

 

 

By the way, msh as I tend to agree with your general posts, I live in Liverpool and wouldn't necessarily want to see Liverpool win the premiership, I'd love to see anyone but Man Utd. win ;-) and that Gillingham win promotion.... I have a friend from Margate who drives the Shrewsbury FC's team coach.