Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 719036)

I'm extremely disappointed in Greg. I thought him to be a man of integrity but it turns out he's just like all the others.

I don't particularly think that the claims that he put in were outrageous and they were certainly within the rules. What gets me is that he's probably known this would come out and instead of saying right at the beginning that he'd made these claims for expenses he's been saying that he would publish them some time before the official date in October. He should have just said right at the beginning - this is it, this is what I've done and sorry. Instead I think he hoped that it would all blow over his head because he's not a big fish and not affect him - tactical error there Greg.

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719146)

I doubt that there are any MP's that have not clamed one thing or another because the rules say they could do so... there is a difference and it's called taking the ****... claiming to have your lawn mowed or planting trees at your mansion is taking the pee... if you see the bloke next to you getting thousands in extra income by claiming within the rules then there ain't many people that would shun it.

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719146)

if you see the bloke next to you getting thousands in extra income by claiming within the rules then there ain't many people that would shun it.

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE (Post 719148)

So claiming for a plasma screen tv and artwork for your second home is ok? I for one don't think so and just wonder why they thought it was even though there were "no rules broken". Maybe if all the money claimed for extras had been put into vital services the country might not be in as big a mess as it is!!!

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719149)

this thread started with £10,000 offered to leak expenses... now whoever did supply the disc to the telegraph is "reported" to have sold it for up to 300,000...is he/she a hero?
no doubt it's a good thing this shambles was brought out into the open but has this person done for the good of the public?...or more for the dosh?

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719153)

none of it's OK...but it's human..farmers get massive allowances to keep acres of fields unproductive rather than grow foodstuff..if your a farmer trying to produce and see your income lower than the farmer who can gain a nice income by doing nowt..you are either stupid or, in very few cases, a saint!

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 719150)

Nah, doesn't wash.

I'll carry on milking the system (that we created, and tried to prevent everyone knowing the details about), because they're doing it too.

If I'm to elect someone to represent me, and for them to then vote on moral and legal issues on my behalf, I expect some degree of integrity, honesty, and at least an understanding of fair play.

Most of my political heros will be spinning in their graves at this shower of career charlatans.

...and by the way, claiming for expenses on mortgages that have been paid off, isn't 'playing within the rules'. It's fraud, and the police should be called to investigate, just as they would be if it had been one of us lesser mortals that had 'forgotten' we shouldn't be claiming money from the public purse for it.

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719158)

ah yes..but I don't suppose the greatest MP and leader of this country in wartime Winston Churchill paid for his own whiskey!..I wouldn't expect him too. seems to me that civil servants control expenses and if you get a job you are told what you can claim for and that is the bottom line..it does make MP's look stupid.

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE (Post 719156)

Would imagine these farmers are being paid by some goverment agency and would not be allowed the privelege of "playing within the rules". Not making myself out to be a saint but what these MP's have done is beyond contempt whilst a lot of the population have really struggled over this winter with fuel price rises and suchlike. I wonder if I or you made a claim by mistake for benefits would we end up with no criminal record? We both know we wouldn't like we both know none of this would have come to light if not for the "Freedom Of Information Act" coming into being. There is no excuse for it, it is theft and from the very people who elected them:mad:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 719161)

Exactly.

Totally different scenario, as the farmers don't set and give out the subsidies.

That's done by those free loading politicans in Brussels.

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 719162)

one of the few times I have to say get real.. even Blair tried to curtail the massive subsides given to farmers but was overuled by the EP Tory majority..Britian ,France And Germany spend much more on the upkeep of farmers than any expenses... the next Tory government will uphold this and make the cuts from one parent benefits, abolish tax credits, and cut NHS spending.(in my opinion)