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MNHQ

We're looking for a Mumsnetter to represent us at a 'News Comment Special' about MPs' expenses

186 replies

GeraldineMumsnet · 15/05/2009 16:03

Editorial Intelligence in association with Sky News are inviting a Mumsnetter to attend a panel and group discussion, which will be podcast.

Here's a pdf of the invite so you can see the date/location/panel etc (which includes Helena Kennedy, Norman Baker and Derek Wyatt).

Please throw your names/nominations into the hat. We'd want whoever goes to blog or twitter, or something suitably modern, about the proceedings. It's next Wed, so it needs to be decided fairly swiftly.

OP posts:
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ilovemydogandMrObama · 18/05/2009 17:54

Why did it take an American journalist 5 years to get access via the FOI Act? Why was there so much opposition?

theDreadPirateRoberts · 18/05/2009 15:42

I have a couple of questions...

  1. Why on earth didn't they just use IR standards for claiming?

1.a. - are they aware that under IR guidelines, you are only able to claim travel expenses if it is your place of work for less than 2 year? Many a contractor's been embuggered by that one, as they count 'the city of london'(ie EC1) as a single workplace, while you might have only 3 months with one company and 6 with another and still not enough stability to make a permanent move...

  1. Where they've claimed to have been 'advised' (e.g. the married MPs who were advised to claim the London house as 2nd property for one, and the the constituency house for the other) - would they like to admit that they received this advice when they went to an accountant and asked how they could best milk the system?
treedelivery · 18/05/2009 14:39

Will expenses be transparent?

I vote Chloe coat for PW and Coast/other for her staff. The expenses office will pass the claim.

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 12:35

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Robespierre · 18/05/2009 12:31

And don't forget fashion notes -- are the hairshirts from Jermyn Street or M&S, etc.

policywonk · 18/05/2009 12:30

Um, I didn't mean to imply that you should do the inane stuff Just that I don't have Twitter on my phone at the mo.

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 12:21

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MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 18/05/2009 12:14

Yeh I could tweet the inane stuff like who's wearing inappropriate shoes and you could blog the important stuff about the end of the UK politics...

monkeytrousers · 18/05/2009 11:54

Good job PW!

ronshar · 18/05/2009 11:53

Yah for policywonk.
I really dont mind holding your coat

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 11:37

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Robespierre · 18/05/2009 11:27

Congrats PW.

policywonk · 18/05/2009 10:52

Oh great, thanks!

Yes, doubt it would be possible to blog from the actual thing - but will try to get Twitter on my phone (unless you want to do that bit?)

Thanks very much to those who nominated me.

Are you OK artichokes? Blink twice for 'yes'...

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 18/05/2009 10:40

Ok, so PW looks like you're our gal again! I'll drop you a line to talk through how we'll do it but guess it will be a talk thread in advance and a MN blog follow up as per last time?
Thanks so much for doing, I'm trying to get someone to pick the kids up so I can come along with you - think it will be fascinating.

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 10:28

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LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 10:19

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policywonk · 18/05/2009 10:10

That's very interesting, thank you!

I do despise this 'servant of the House' stuff - but I had no idea that Walker had privately raised concerns about the expenses.

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 10:09

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artichokes · 18/05/2009 10:01

PDub - I have worked out how to paste!. This is a horrible DM article, full of homophobia as per. However the quotes from "insiders" show AW tried to warn the Speaker and was bullied and told to shut-up or lose his job. I am not sure there will be much else in the public domain about him.

policywonk · 18/05/2009 09:53

Fair enough, artichokes. Wouldn't want to get you in trouble.

Are there any public sources for the Andrew-Walker-is-a-good-egg line?

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 09:41

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artichokes · 18/05/2009 09:36

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policywonk · 18/05/2009 09:32

Heather Brooke, sorry, not Roberts

Seriously, artichokes, it seems to be that you should get this gig! Why does working in Westminster prevent you doing it?

LeninGrad · 18/05/2009 09:29

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policywonk · 18/05/2009 09:29

ah, x-posts - will have a look.

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