Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

One thing that annoys me is that MP's have second homes in London when their own homes are close to Westminster anyway.

There should be a minimum distance before they can claim for a second home.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Well then there was clearly no need to apologies on the front page of the Observer:rolleyes:

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

what beats me wi that link rindy, is how can ya vote "Strongly","Very Strongly",or "Moderatly"???:confused: yer either for or against in my book.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

I've said that I think each constituency more than 60 miles from London should have to purchase a 3 bed house within 60 miles. Then whatever party or MP is representing that constituency uses that house for teh period of their service. It would have to be decorated in neutral colours and when a new occupant takes over they get a new bed and 3 piece suite, all other contebst are replaced when broken or worn out out of a central gov pot with 'standard' options, i.e. no huge american fridges/50 " plasmas etc

Then there would be no claims of profittering from subsidised mortgages, etc.

The simple fact is if I took a contract in London I would have to pay my own accomodation out of my salary, why doe MPs not, its not like they don't know where the job is now is it? To be given free use of a property would be a very generous offer IMHO.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Don't they get less Neil if they are within a certain distance of Westminster ?

I still have no objection to M.P's spending their expenses on furnishing their second home myself .. they spend a lot of their time down there and should be comfortable tantamount to some of the comforts they have at home.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

I suppose voting patterns of MPs aren't always consistent. On equal rights for example, an MP might vote in favour of some, and not others, hence the grading system.

According to the site Greg Pope has never voted on issues concerned with a more transparent parliament, because on those ten times he's been absent.

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpid=1650&dmp=996

I've been informed, by a third party, that his staff refute the claims made in the Observer.

Personally if that is true, rather than silence, I'd be using every possibe medium at my disposal to clarify the matter, and pacify the many very disappointed constituents here in Hyndburn.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Well if they refute the claims why did he apologies, must have thought he had a case to answer

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

When I think about these MP's who do aplogise I can't help wondering if they are doing it because they think they did wrong or because the public expect them too.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Well if I thought I'd done nout wrong wild horses wouldn't get me to apologies, irrespective of what the public think, the apology would be window dressing and nothing else

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Greg's expenses have now been released to the public. You can view them here UK Parliament - Allowances by MP - Greg Pope

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Unfortunatly, there is not much to view - the censors got there first. Unless you have a pair of those magic X-Ray specs, you won't be able to see through all the black paint that has been liberally applied over the gritty detail.

From what can be seen, Greg's expenses don't look too bad, certainly in comparison to that of the Dingle's MP, Mrs "Fill Up My Kitty" Usher. When the poor sods in Burnley get a good look at that lot I doubt if she will be welcome in the town again.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

There is still too much misty grey surrounding all of this, either they were working within the rules, and the rules should be changed, in which case nobody need resign, or pay back, but if it is fraudulent, then I'm with Neil, there should be sackings for gross misconduct, payback plus interests and all related costs, and a heavy fine/prison. As it is, the rules are pathetic, and as such, could you then rob a bank, using the excuse 'they provide loans. I didnt realise you had to apply, I thought you could just take it'!

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

Well I only looked at the first link, think I quit while I'm winning, £200 for food seemed a quite regular expense. I don't know about you lot but £200 a month for grub at the tax payers expense seems a bit rich to me,

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

If beer can be classified as food, then this seems quite reasonable to me, given that a pint of bitter is now three quid or more in the capital.

Re: MP expenses - Our Greg's
 

But why should the tax payer pay for food Tealeaf, be it bear or anything else, we both have to eat to sustain life and we don't get to claim on expenses. I don't have a problem with mortgage payments, travel etc, but come on food is taking the P***