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15May09

MPs EXPENSES

I have been very dissappointed and concerned over the last few days about the reputation of parliament.

The revelations about some MPs second home expenses have done enormous damage. However, what gives me hope is the public’s anger. MPs will have to face the people in a General Eleciton in no more than twelve months time and justify their behaviour if they want to be re-elected.

Nearly a year ago, in July 2008, I wrote a letter to Stretford and Urmston's MP after she had voted against reform of the 'John Lewis List'. (see: MPs Expenses Must Be Reformed 07Jul08). The issue of MPs expenses has been brewing for along time but the difference is David Cameron led the Shadow Cabinet to vote for the end of the ‘John Lewis List’ whereas Gordon Brown, 33 ministers, 5 cabinet members, and Brown’s closest aides all voted against reform.

Stretford and Urmston's Labour MP, in addition to claiming second home allowances, which allows for ridiculous claims like £350 a month for food and £150 for cleaning, has also been using taxpayers' money to send out political leaflets, under the so-called 'communications allowance'.

In contrast, my literature to Stretford and Urmston's 40,000 homes is paid for with voluntary donations from local residents, and is delivered by volunteers. I do not claim any expenses and work totally for free for the constituency.

The Conservative Party has committed not only to reform expenses, but to abolish the communications allowance.

Something must be done. It is vital that trust in parliament is restored so that we can get on with the work of fighting this recession and the unprecedented debt now created by Brown.