General Chat

We may have the right to complain, but what happens if we do,


NOTHING

I totally agree that those who break the rules shouldn't get away with it.

It would be interesting to know for certain what percentage of MPs are not as honest as they ought to be or whether it's a small number who give the vast majority a bad name.

I don't know any MPs personally so have no particular axe to grind. I just tend to worry if sweeping statements are made about whole groups of people.

I get concerned if there is a feeling of Us and Them. I think that MPs should remember they are part of us and represent us, and we ought to all try to get more involved in politics.

Still at least we live in a country where we can choose our leaders and where we have the right to complain if we don't like what they are doing.

Sue

I think what I object to the most is the way they abuse their second home allowances by putting in bills for Ipods new kitchens etc etc and milk it to the limit. They show scant respect for the general public who pay for these *perks* whilst struggling on ridiculously low wages and are taxed to the hilt themselves..

I'm not saying ALL MPs do it but the ones that are caught should be dealt with more harshly.

I also object to them putting their families on the payroll.......I'm sure their wives may well do some work for them but I don't think that is always the case.

I think they've got away with it for far too long during the boom times. Now that WE are struggling they should show some respect and tone it down a bit
xx

X 2

Well said Bridget,


Caz xxx

Sue, A fair days pay for a fair days work comes to mind! Looking at “To day in Parliament” on television apart from the one or two snoozing comfortable in their seats one wonders where the rest of their illustrious colleagues are hiding out!!
The most audacious request I have ever seen came from London party leaders demanding transparency and accountability from M.E.P members, (long overdue, to my mind)
This then from our own M.Ps who abuse and milk the system for all it’s worth even down to claiming for window cleaning and T.V. licence! Are these not supposed to be paid out of their highly inflated wages just like everybody else? How for instance can a husband and wife who are both M.Ps claim, and receive an allowance for the SAME HOUSE and white goods! Are we expected to believe they have separate fridges, washing machines and so forth? I think not. As has been exposed recently, nepotism is rife and not content with feathering their own nest they have the gall to feather the nests of their families as well. Mick Martin spent thousands of taxpayers money trying to keep from the public the claims of M.Ps Now, what does that tell you? Another couple, again both M.P. were claiming for a flat, already paid for and put in trust for their children!! It beggars belief what they get away with and the shabby excuses they come up with when exposed. The thing that really infuriates me is they get away with it and are not even made to return the money they unjustly claimed. Mind you, having read of some of the claims of the M.E.P. members (£2,500 to attend a sons wedding in U.S.A.) I’m beginning to think the motto of Westminster is “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” All this from a Government who, not to long ago “awarded” the senior citizens of this country a 75p increase in their pensions. I could cry! Bridgetx

My daughter used to work in a nursing home for little more than minimum wage so I agree. A lot of deserving people get a pittance despite hard work.

I was also appalled to hear on the news about the small children making clothes for Primark this morning. We all love our bargains but I do think everyone in the world deserves a fair pay for a fair day's work and children belong in school.

Sue

I agree totally Jean,

The amount paid to some is obscene, whilst others survive on a pittance,

Caz xx

Sue, I agree about priorities. Sports players are overpaid, and others are not paid sufficiently. It should be remembered that the country could not run without Dustmen, Lorry drivers, Shopworkers and those in manufacture, and last but not least Farmers. I dont mean to leave anyone out, but I mean the jobs which are regarded as too menial for the middle classes and above. Jean

There are 644 MPs and some of them have staff. There are times when they all have to be in London at the same time. A hostel to sleep that lot all at once if necessary but not all the time would be enormous and empty for some of the year. With land prices in central London I think that idea wouldn't catch on.

There are good and bad in all walks of life but we can only vote for someone who is prepared to put themselves up for election. I was at an AGM this morning for a group I belong to and the officers of that group (3 good people) were re elected because no-one else wanted the jobs (myself included). I think politics (local and national) can be often like this too.

I can't remember ever looking at any of my local candidates for MP and thinking that he or she would be brilliant. It's usually a case of who do I dislike the look of least. I know enough about trying to decide things in committees to know how difficult running anything can be and I think the House of Commons is much like that on a larger scale.

I've been upstairs in the House of Commons and attended a couple of committee meetings and it's interesting to see how things are done and how there's a monitor in the corner of each room (bit like waiting for a train or plane) telling various members and committees where they are supposed to be and when. They do seem to be dashing about and keeping long hours when in session.


I don't know how we can make sure that the people we elect are the best ones for the job. The right people have to be persuaded to do it and I rather expect that some of the sort of people we'd like are busy doing other things! I wonder how many of us would be up to doing the job if we had to?

Thinking about it.......we may have our priorities all wrong when we offer huge rewards to some people for kicking a ball about yet quibble about paying those who make the laws to govern us the sort of money which they could perhaps earn in business.

Sue

Wouldn't it be cheaper all round to have a 'hostel' for MP's to live in whilst in London?
This would negate the need for second homes and would ensure ALL MP's spent some time in their constituencies.

maggie

Bit Devil's Advocate here but we do expect MPs to have a base in the constituency they represent and they also need to spend a lot of time in London. I'd imagine that it is probably cheaper to pay them a second home allowance than it might be to pay for them to stay in hotels in one of those places.

I just found this
http://www.parliament.uk/faq/members_faq_page2.cfm

I suppose if you compare the salaries of our MPs with similar jobs abroad perhaps ours are not as well paid. Also remember the MPs include the opposition members as well as the government so any pay rise wouldn't just be for the ruling party.

I do agree it is unfortunate timing when so many people are facing a struggle to pay fuel bills etc but maybe compared to jobs in the City or in upper management of large firms, an MPs salary seems less.

It's all comparative really. For those of us living on a lot less, 60 thousand sounds a very large amount of money but I suppose it needs to be compared with jobs of similar responsibilities.

A salary of 60 grand or so isn't going to encourage any high powered business men to want to become MPs and a number of other responsible jobs are paid a lot more.

I'm not sure really.......I think I'd need to know a lot more about the subject before making up my mind.
I think if you do the sums then the total salaries of all our MPs divided by all the people in the country doesn't amount to much per head of population.

Perhaps we should pay more?..........if you pay peanuts you get monkeys!

Sue (still undecided!)

I haven't looked at the numbers in detail, but the package is unlikely to cost the tax payer any more and might even result in MP's paying some more personal tax than they do now, as I suspect their allowances are paid tax free at the moment.

The figures are scandalous though and MP's need to set an example by capping their income the same as Darling expects the rest of us to do. It is the fact they get paid to have a second home that has taken all of us by surprise as it has been a well guarded secret till now.

As far as class is concerned, don't you think that Nu Labour is even more "Middle Class", than the Conservatives ever were? You can count the number of Left wing Nu lab MP's on one hand.

John Prescot, soon to retire, Frank Field, Glenda Jackson perhaps? Struggling now to think of any more.

it should be a criminal offence not to vote - think it is in some countries - the apathy of some people in the UK is very puzzling - at least if you voted you have a right to complain - if you don't,, then keep mum!!

I like Ritas idea, they give themselves pay rises like that when young people are dying for not a lot of money. Its sick. I feel we are heading for a big crash,

Caz xx

But at least whoever gets in next will start off on the right foot......................won't they???

*worries*

I don't blame the government for every little thing, but taxing us until we are dry, then sitting back and feathering their own nests is dreadful.

Thing is, it doesn't matter what party's in, there all tared with the same brush.

Totally agree with you both Cazzles and Kitty xx

I agree Muffs, we are worse off than we have ever been. Ive never voted labour and never will,

Caz xx

Labour................new or old always tax and spend, new name, same old policies:(