The expenses vote is an own-goal for parliament
MPs may have voted against vital reforms to their expenses regime because of the small print. They will live to regret it
The decision by MPs to throw out controversial reforms for second home allowances will go down as one of the biggest own goals by parliament. If MPs think the public are going to be sympathetic to the case for cash for pergolas, kitchens and plasma screen TVs in their London homes, they do not live in the real world.
By ditching a radical reform of the allowances which brought MPs into the 21st century, they have given up their last chance to regulate themselves. Nobody in any company in the country can justify claiming £400 a month on food without a receipt or even up to £25 on anything, whenever they want, again without receipts.
What will happen – as clear as day follows night – is that the independent watchdog, the committee on standards in public life, headed by Chris Kelly, will anounce its own inquiry – saying MPs cannot be trusted to run their own affairs.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
2 comments:
I used to work for the Coal Board having gone there after working for a number of multi-nationals.
Due to my particular management grade, I was allowed to travel first class and claim for that, without receipts.
I much preferred to travel second class and pocket the difference - and all perfectly within company rules.
I was also allowed to claim for a porter to carry my bags (when was the last time you saw a porter) again without receipt.
On questioning the stupidity of such a situation I was firmly told that I must claim to the limit and not 'rock the boat' for the others.
Bet you the MPs have the same thought - in spades.
I used to work for the Coal Board having gone there after working for a number of multi-nationals.
Due to my particular management grade, I was allowed to travel first class and claim for that, without receipts.
I much preferred to travel second class and pocket the difference - and all perfectly within company rules.
I was also allowed to claim for a porter to carry my bags (when was the last time you saw a porter) again without receipt.
On questioning the stupidity of such a situation I was firmly told that I must claim to the limit and not 'rock the boat' for the others.
Bet you the MPs have the same thought - in spades.
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