Ha, it was what, 600 words? Half of which were quoting your own words back to you. I don't for one second think you're unable to engage with that many words, but it's an awfully convenient way to get out of a conversation that wasn't going well for you. On the wider point of Tusk's words [and I agree entirely with Goldhawk that he is a very influential man], whether he is right or not, I don't think it was a helpful thing to say. I'm unclear as to what he was trying to achieve. If I were a Brexit supporter, I'd be gagging for a 2nd referendum as I'm convinced leave would win by a very significant margin.
I think that it's reasonable that MPs travel expenses between their constituency and Westminster are paid. This is fairly standard for a job that requires travel between two office locations that are a good length apart. As I understand the IPSA rules, an MP doesn't get paid for their commute from their London address to Westminster. Expecting, for sake of argument, a Scottish MP to pay for their own travel to and from Glasgow to London each week would be unreasonable - and a barrier to entry to those who have had a more modest upbringing / previous salary. Won't comment on the (seemingly large) expenses once travel and staff are taken out in the two cases highlighted, as no idea on the detail behind those costs.
Isn’t that the point though ? I’m sure the majority wouldn’t mind MPs claiming for travel and a reasonable meal allowance when away from home. It’s the other more lavish claims that I think pisses most people off. They’re as much a bunch of ****s as those in the EU.
Sorry what I meant was your last bit about not commenting on the other expenses.....surely that’s the main point ? But yes mate, we are in agreement.
Oh, sorry, with you. At first glance it does certainly look high, but I just would like to see the details of what it was spent on before rushing to a judgement. Not convinced that it's right to hold up Mogg (or any other MP in a similar situation) who is born into wealth and can afford to pay all costs from his own pocket as the 'ideal'. We need a system that allows ordinary people to become MPs and pays fair expenses. Will see if I can dig out the details on Soubry.
Very good point about rich ‘career’ politicians and how they can claim less as they can most probably afford to......something I hadn’t thought about. I just don’t trust very many politicians as even the ones I most admire are probably at it.
It was a long rant, repeating all the posts between us. I understand you found it cathartic, but judge by the reaction of other posters (Ellers and Staines) who greeted the length of it with exclamation marks. You were trying to convince me that Honest John's reputation has been wrongly tarnished, despite the fact that he went down to the worst ever Conservative election defeat AND you rightly pointed out that the electorate did not know of his affair with Currie at that time. And you said that if they had known, he would have had to resign. So you haven't persuaded me. If you want to have another go, fine, but please, try to be concise.
They were in 2010, but the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority was meant to solve this. Parliament cannot afford another expenses scandal.
Sky reporting Tusk and other EU leaders have said they think Corbyn's suggestions sound promising and could be voted for by the UK parliament, but that May has come with nothing new. I reckon a good half of May's own cabinet would support Corbyn's suggestions too, especially if they could present them as their own proposals, but suspect May is too stubborn to hear them, yet at least.
