NationStates Jolt Archive


MP's expenses

Rambhutan
08-05-2009, 11:08
The Telegraph has published details of what MPs are claiming expenses for. My favourite so far is that John Prescott claimed £312 so he could fit mock tudor beams on the front of his house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8039273.stm

I do think politicians should be rewarded for their work, mainly as a way of reducing the risk that become more easily tempted into corruption. But how on earth is fitting some chav mock tudor beams in any way a legitimate expense?
Hairless Kitten
08-05-2009, 11:13
The Telegraph has published details of what MPs are claiming expenses for. My favourite so far is that John Prescott claimed £312 so he could fit mock tudor beams on the front of his house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8039273.stm

I do think politicians should be rewarded for their work, mainly as a way of reducing the risk that become more easily tempted into corruption. But how on earth is fitting some chav mock tudor beams in any way a legitimate expense?

It's difficult. Giving too much will attrack the wrong people, giving not enough is also not a solution.

In most countries politicians earn well, but not as much as a CEO of a big company.

In this country, a minister is earning about 8000-9000 Euro a month. I think that's fair.
Lacadaemon
08-05-2009, 11:22
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?
Cabra West
08-05-2009, 11:25
The Telegraph has published details of what MPs are claiming expenses for. My favourite so far is that John Prescott claimed £312 so he could fit mock tudor beams on the front of his house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8039273.stm

I do think politicians should be rewarded for their work, mainly as a way of reducing the risk that become more easily tempted into corruption. But how on earth is fitting some chav mock tudor beams in any way a legitimate expense?

That's just... lols.
In that case, surely Jacqui Smith's husbands porn films can be claimed as well?
Ifreann
08-05-2009, 11:25
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?

http://wildevolution.biology.ed.ac.uk/awilson/images/John_Prescott_24994t.jpg

How do you think?
Cabra West
08-05-2009, 11:26
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?

Well... have you seen him recently?
Lacadaemon
08-05-2009, 11:27
Yah, I know he's fat and all. But still. What was he doing, dancing on them?

Plenty of fat people go years without breaking toilet seats.
Lacadaemon
08-05-2009, 11:28
Didn't he claim to be bulimic too?
Cabra West
08-05-2009, 11:28
Yah, I know he's fat and all. But still. What was he doing, dancing on them?

Plenty of fat people go years without breaking toilet seats.

*raises hand* I never broke one in my life. But then I tend to overall be less forcefull than John Prescott.
Ifreann
08-05-2009, 11:41
Didn't he claim to be bulimic too?

He must not be very good at it if he is.
Cabra West
08-05-2009, 11:55
He must not be very good at it if he is.

I just had this mental image of him breaking the toilet seats with the sheer force of his barfing... *shudders*
Ifreann
08-05-2009, 11:56
I just had this mental image of him breaking the toilet seats with the sheer force of his barfing... *shudders*

Oh noes, I just ate :(
Rambhutan
08-05-2009, 11:57
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?

Perhaps his nickname will change again - first of all Two jags, then Two shags - maybe he will become known as Two bogs
Non Aligned States
08-05-2009, 12:13
I just had this mental image of him breaking the toilet seats with the sheer force of his barfing... *shudders*

Gives a new meaning to the term projectile vomiting. Does it classify as a lethal weapon I wonder?
PartyPeoples
08-05-2009, 12:14
He must not be very good at it if he is.

Being good at being bulimic? Strange thing to have said.
:rolleyes:

On one hand I feel that MP's should be paid a decent wage - say £60k so that they can afford to run an office, conduct operations in their constituency and live a decent life. On the other I really can't see how they aren't able to do those things on their current wage... expenses should be for business travel, accomodation and meals/entertainment - not for personal items such as furniture and media equipment.

To an extent I'd agree with perhaps subsidising bills for essential/emergency property maintenance - maybe make it a case by case basis, reviewed by an independant panel. Also I can't believe how stupid the MP's are for saying the expenses are justified because they're allowed/within the rules lol... where's their humility at least?!..
Bears Armed
08-05-2009, 12:30
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?
Maybe he was using them as improvised Croquet hoops? ;)
Atheist Heathens
08-05-2009, 12:49
On one hand I feel that MP's should be paid a decent wage - say £60k so that they can afford to run an office, conduct operations in their constituency and live a decent life.

They get £64,766 at the moment as it is. (http://www.parliament.uk/faq/members_faq_page2.cfm)
Lacadaemon
08-05-2009, 15:11
Two bogs suits him.

Maybe he was trying to eat the toilet seats.
Lunatic Goofballs
08-05-2009, 15:31
How did john prescott manage to break two toilet seats within a year?

Too much curry. :D
Peepelonia
08-05-2009, 15:37
The Telegraph has published details of what MPs are claiming expenses for. My favourite so far is that John Prescott claimed £312 so he could fit mock tudor beams on the front of his house.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8039273.stm

I do think politicians should be rewarded for their work, mainly as a way of reducing the risk that become more easily tempted into corruption. But how on earth is fitting some chav mock tudor beams in any way a legitimate expense?


It does seem ridiculose, If i lived in Scotland yet worked in London, then I would have to permantly move. why should we help pay for a second homes allowance for politicians who earn enough money anyway?
Jordaxia
08-05-2009, 15:39
It does seem ridiculose, If i lived in Scotland yet worked in London, then I would have to permantly move. why should we help pay for a second homes allowance for politicians who earn enough money anyway?

The second homes allowance is the most reasonable expense claimed. It's not 'live in scotland, work in london, it's live in scotland, work in london, AND work in scotland. MPs are expected to represent their community - in their community - as well as stay for sometimes prolonged periods in london.
Cosmopoles
08-05-2009, 15:50
The second homes allowance is the most reasonable expense claimed. It's not 'live in scotland, work in london, it's live in scotland, work in london, AND work in scotland. MPs are expected to represent their community - in their community - as well as stay for sometimes prolonged periods in london.

It's reasonable when its not being claimed by a politician who lives close enough to parliament that he lives permanently in his taxpayer funded second home and rents out his first home for personal gain.

Still, its far better than the idea of paying MPs based on attendance. When looking for ways to curb wasteful spending I don't think we should look to the European parliament as a model.
Rambhutan
09-05-2009, 09:38
Thinking about this I think the problem could be solved by having a block of flats in London to provide accommodation near parliament for MPs. Though I suppose that might be a bit of a tempting target.
SaintB
09-05-2009, 11:52
http://wildevolution.biology.ed.ac.uk/awilson/images/John_Prescott_24994t.jpg

How do you think?

He looks like a snapping turtle!

And its easy to break a solid gold toilet seat, gold's rather malleable.
Rambhutan
10-05-2009, 10:15
Now with added poll!

More and more revelations of the various fiddles that MPs have been up to. I think now is a very good time to stand for parliament, as a lot of the sitting MPs will not be getting any votes now.
Exilia and Colonies
10-05-2009, 11:04
Now with added poll!

More and more revelations of the various fiddles that MPs have been up to. I think now is a very good time to stand for parliament, as a lot of the sitting MPs will not be getting any votes now.

And you also get to claim all that free money :p