Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 1028634)

Greedy scum...and they have the Speaker to back 'em up.

MPs' expenses: MPs allowed to hide expenses details - Telegraph

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 1075548)

...and here we go yet again!

MPs' expenses soar to record levels with more than one in four putting family on the payroll - Mirror Online

It stretches right across the political spectrum, but perhaps most hypocritical of all are the Tory scum who campaigned against a minimum wage and employ their relatives on very generous salaries.

Beneath contempt. :mad:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 1075899)

Apologies for C'mon style cut-and-paste, but this sums it up really. As he concludes: "This is why people hate politicians". The new MPs? Expenses Scandal | Trending Central

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 1028761)

Maybe he'll comment on this one, as it doesn't involve criticizing any Labour politicians. In fact, I'm surprised C'mon hasn't been on here babbling about it.

MPs' expenses: top Tory in secret deal - Telegraph

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1076382)

MPs are now forced to rent which has pushed up MP's housing costs considerably (at taxpayers expense) as a result of changes banning ownership following public outrage in 2009 expenses scandal.

A friend of mine (MP) rents a room from a retired MP who still lives in the other room (two bed flat). This MP was pilloried in the nationals for saving taxpayers money. People on message boards then put an uninformed boot in.

I have said this before but it's worth saying it again. I employ four staff and spend nearly all the allowances given to me. The constituency office is one of the best in the country. Since 2010 we have helped over 5,000 people individually. The notice board is full of thank you cards. Not to me (though they may have my name on them) but to the dedicated staff I employ.

Spending most of the allowance may make me a high spending MP (I am not sure). Contrast that with the MP (nameless) who sleeps in his office, doesn't do casework and employs no staff and needs a map to get back to his constituency.

I am also under 65 so lose out on cheap pensioner rail fares. Unlike some stay away MP's who stay in London, I come home every weekend to do surgeries and work here in the constituency adding more rail fares. Lancashire is far more expensive to get to than the home counties.

I have a daughter and entitled to a small additional allowance for accommodation.

I don't claim mileage in East Lancashire or food allowances.

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1076382)

MPs are now forced to rent which has pushed up MP's housing costs considerably (at taxpayers expense) as a result of changes banning ownership following public outrage in 2009 expenses scandal.

A friend of mine (MP) rents a room from a retired MP who still lives in the other room (two bed flat). This MP was pilloried in the nationals for saving taxpayers money. People on message boards then put an uninformed boot in.

I have said this before but it's worth saying it again. I employ four staff and spend nearly all the allowances given to me. The constituency office is one of the best in the country. Since 2010 we have helped over 5,000 people individually. The notice board is full of thank you cards. Not to me (though they may have my name on them) but to the dedicated staff I employ.

Spending most of the allowance may make me a high spending MP (I am not sure). Contrast that with the MP (nameless) who sleeps in his office, doesn't do casework and employs no staff and needs a map to get back to his constituency.

I am also under 65 so lose out on cheap pensioner rail fares. Unlike some stay away MP's who stay in London, I come home every weekend to do surgeries and work here in the constituency adding more rail fares. Lancashire is far more expensive to get to than the home counties.

I have a daughter and entitled to a small additional allowance for accommodation.

I don't claim mileage in East Lancashire or food allowances.

Originally Posted by Guinness (Post 1076387)

Nobody questions your honesty or morality, it's plain to see for anyone who cares to check. The changes you refer to were brought about by an army of your colleagues bleeding the system, whilst crucifying in parliament the single parent on benefit who does a few hours behind the bar on a friday night cash in hand as fraudsters.

The same civil servants who drew up the loophole riddled expenses rules are the same ones who have now created the sledgehammer to crack a walnut rules on ownership....welcome to our world Graham, they do it to us plebs on a daily basis with their interpretation on what you lot create in parliament.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 1076498)

I remember your predecessor Ken Hargreaves, Ken didn't drive so he had people on call if he needed to go anywhere, say the airport or train station or around the constituency at weekends and recess, there was one instance where one of these people changed their car, getting a car with a smaller engine size (in those days PM exes were paid on engine size) this had gone on for a month when he found out he'd been claiming to much, but he insisted that he paid the claims office back the amount he over claimed, which was out of his pocket not the drivers, no wonder he was well respected thought the constituency and Westminster, honest holy joe;)

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 1076565)

Ken gave me lots of good advice and I respect him greatly. His compassion for his constituents is something I look up to. We shared a joke or two in his last days. Sadly missed by me for his guiding hand.

One issue we discussed was the differences today. Ken didn't envy today's electronic world. I receive between 100-150 emails a day which Ken just looked upwards when I told him. I recall he had one staff which was sufficient back then. Miss him. Great conversations.