MPs expenses - we're being manipulated into hysteria.

[sasguru]

While it is clear some of them have been taking the piss, if we all calm down and look at WHY the system is as it is.

Basically no PM (including Maggie) has been brave enough to listen to the recommendations of an independent body on MPs pay. MPs are told that it is an allowance to which they are entitled, not expenses.
So much so that if an MP divorces, that allowance is added onto their base salary for the purpose of working out child support etc. So they've been treating their allowances as entitlements because that is what they are told - its a substitute for salary, to be done with as they wish.

Who is behind the Telegraph? The Barclay brothers, nuff said.
Real question is what are they trying to do?

Not trying to defend MPs here, but I'm far more concerned of manipulation by non-elected powerful interests.

[Pickle2]

I think you raise a fair point. Who the hell is going to work away monday to friday and pay for their own "on the road" expenses for a paltry 65k.

Hardly going to attract the best and brightest is it. Just look at Accenture.

[Sysman]

I think you raise a fair point. Who the hell is going to work away monday to friday and pay for their own "on the road" expenses for a paltry 65k.

Anyone caught by IR35?

But I agree with Sasguru here. Without any allowances at all, becoming an MP would be the preserve of the rich.

P.S. What's the history of the Barclay brothers?

[Incognito]

I bet the coppers involved in the g20 incidents are glad.

[threaded]

Without any allowances at all, becoming an MP would be the preserve of the rich.

As opposed to the current system of being the preserve of the professional gob-sh1te with little to no idea of how to run a pi55 up in a brewery?

Seriously, I'd much prefer people running the country who have a clue of running something, even experience of running their own newspaper delivery round would be a vast improvement on this shower.

[PM-Junkie]

If it means we get an elected upper chamber, less MPs with more power to hold the government to account, a bill of rights, something like the US primaries (emphasis on the work "like") to stop parties parachuting in candidates who know zip about the constituency, and maybe PR so that each vote actually counts - I couldn't care less how it has come about.

My suspicion/hope is that when the dust has settled in a few year's time, this will be looked back on as a revolution.

[threaded]

My suspicion/hope is that when the dust has settled in a few year's time, this will be looked back on as a revolution.

All this tosh about the government bringing in all these long overdue reforms like an elected upper house, PR, etc. is just that: tosh.

My suspicion is that a whole new swathe of draconian 'privacy' laws will be brought in, i.e. everything to do with TPTB will be private on pain of you having your National ID card revoked if it but suspected you are in someway not towing the party line.

Remember you read it here first.

[PM-Junkie]

I disagree...people are too hacked off and there is too much of a head of steam. As stupid as politicians are, they know there will be BIG riots if they don't sort this out.

I've never seen people so angry. And its about bloody time too.

[TykeMerc]

I don't see it as hysteria, but an excuse to finally get the corrupt buggers who've been unashamedly screwing the country for decades.
Expenses are only the tip of the iceberg in their personal nest feathering exercises and all MPs of all colours are at it. They've also settled into a very cosy complacency where they felt themselves totally untouchable (attempting to exempt themselves from FOI legislation, smoking ban doesn't apply in parts of the Palace of Westminster, bars open 24/7 waaaay before the public had that) once elected for 5 years.

I'm thoroughly glad that all parties have been slammed by this scandal as it's finally forced them to accept that they are almost universally despised. One can only hope that reforms of our archaic and corrupt system come about as a result.

[Sysman]

As opposed to the current system of being the preserve of the professional gob-tulipe with little to no idea of how to run a pi55 up in a brewery?

Seriously, I'd much prefer people running the country who have a clue of running something, even experience of running their own newspaper delivery round would be a vast improvement on this shower.

Advantage Threaded.