I ask my self the sme question.. http://www.newstatesman.com/uk-poli...s-quo-why-frankly-isnt-parliament-square-fire
Are you going to name the Labour MP's who have been claiming money from the public purse to heat their second homes? For the record I think all MP's are self-interested career money grabbing parasites and this heating scandal is another example of how out of touch these odious people are but let's not try and make out this is just a Tory problem because it's across the whole political spectrum; the Labour lot are just as bad.
MPs' expenses 2012/13: every claim for accommodation, travel and more http://www.theguardian.com/news/dat...-list-mps-expenses-ipsa-data-interactive-2013 MPs' expenses 2011/12: every claim for accommodation, travel and more http://www.theguardian.com/news/dat.../full-list-mps-expenses-ipsa-data-interactive
Why do we accept the status quo? i know status quo have had there day but i hardly think its there fault
I'm of the opinion MPs should be paid more. There's a vote winner if ever you heard one. It's not about how hard you work, it's about how much responsibility you have and I don't think an MPs wage compares well with positions of a similar stature. Consequently, I don't think the job attracts the right candidates and as such we've got to suffer these clowns. However, at the same time as raising their wage I'd slash their expenses claims to a bare minimum: travel to and from their constituency to London (that's a train ticket, not a car, or even just a free train pass) and office supplies, which would be published for all to see on a dedicated website. Nothing else and certainly no money for second homes. I'd build a facility on the outskirts of London which would provide a room to every MP who lives outside the M25 for when they have to be in parliament. It would also provide office space and meeting rooms for those that needed it. Pay them a good wage up front and completely cut out all the fiddling they're currently up to, so the public know exactly what they're getting. They need to be accountable and the present system does all it can to prevent that.
I was just discussing this with the fella and we came up with this exact same response. Pay them more, but stipulate that pretty much everything has to come out of that apart from travel. We were also saying that they should provide the place for them to stay in in London.
I'd vote for that. They do deserve a good wage because it's such an important job which must be quite stressful with all the responsibility but expenses must be reduced as a result. I wouldn't even let them have expenses for office supplies. All office supplies would be purchased via a central supply office and would be sent out to the mp's when they request them like would be the case in an office environment. I'm sure the bulk buying power would result in much lower costs.
I can't work out why any accomodation in London is not owned and paid for by the constituency for the continued use of the elected member. If they resign or are voted out then it passes to the next incumbent after 1 month. Any profit or loss coming from the investment in the accomodation can also go back into the constituency (thats central government, not the political parties).
I'd go with that for the office supplies. Makes sense, buy in bulk and the MPs just request what they need.
Totally agree, Jay. I'd also insist that all prospective MPs had a proper job for at least six years; not use the easy route of a PPE degree and then work as a researcher for an MP until a safe seat appears.
I agree with Jay. I have no problem with MP's earning a high salary. Leaders of industry have high salaries and you want to have the best in their field running the country. I also don't mind expenses that are necessary to fulfil their job being reimbursed, but as for 2nd homes in London...we should have government owned apartments for use by MP's.