Geroge Osbourne skiing in Klosters, Zac Goldsmith sunning in 8k villa in Caribbean why?

[FishKebabs]

It is reported in the Daily Mail that some Tory MP's are enjoying lavish holidays whilst we are facing increases in just about everything from fuel prices to university fees. How can these MP's tell us that we are all in this together, it is outrageous, what a bunch of hyprocrites. George Osbourne coined the phrase "We Are All In This Together" so does he think everyone in the UK can afford luxury ski holidays at peak times.

Chil1234: Local councillors don't get paid, do they? I think a lot of politicians start off with the right motives and work really hard for their communities, but 'power corrupts', unfortunately.

You have to pay politicians because, as you point out, if you didn't, only rich people with independent incomes would be able to afford to be a politician. But I think they should be means-tested, and those with independent incomes (ie the millionaires in the government) shouldn't get anything.

I think you have to think though that the wealth they amassed was during a labour govt too so they have paid what Labour wanted them to pay in tax. If we start going into personal bank accounts and savings and taking money from there I think we are essentially going to cause more of a riot. I don't think you can go in and back tax people just because they have 1mill in the bank.

But Hammer, why? If I have £20g in the bank and someone else has £10g in the bank and we both go for the same job and are means tested why should I get paid less?
You then get into the realm of wealth, isn't Nick Cleggs wife independently wealthy? What about Sam Cam, and Mrs Osbourne?

I don't think a communist state is the way forward, it doesn't do anyone any good!

FIGGY, I can assure you that George and Zac both have more than £1m in the bank. I would imagine they would be shit scared if they found out they had slightly less Most of these people have had generations of being in the top 1 or 2% wealthy in the country. It is something that very few of us will ever understand.

Hammer, sorry but you are talking rot. Means testing MPs?? Seriously? Then they really would start hiding all their independent wealth under the carpet. Pay them all the same and then there is no argument. Is this not what happens now (bar cabinet ministers?). Would you means test a nurse? And not pay her at all should her husband be found to be earning over £100k per year?

My local MP charges £1000 per hour for consultative work. I know people who earn £1000 per day. £1000 per hour puts this chap in an altogether different ball game though. That is premiership footballers' wages.

I take your point, Figgy, but we are talking about multi-millionaires here, not ordinary people going for ordinary jobs.

Rindercella - true, they would hide their wealth. But if you want to compare being an MP to being a nurse why not offer them the same salary?

I'm still trying to believe (against all the evidence) they are MPs because they want to make a better world, and that they are not in it for the money.

It would be interesting to see if any of them would be prepared to do it for free, admit they don't need the money and refrain from taking a salary from people who are struggling to pay their taxes ...

Depressing.

But we knew they were like this anyway.

I just don't understand the eejits who voted for them.

Rindercella- I agree to being shocked about having less than £1mill in the bank. Mind you £1mill don't get you too far these days does it (think all those lottery idiots winners who overspend).

I don't begrudge these guys their personal wealth as they would be taking these holidays regardless of being an mp or not, but I begrudge that fact that they didn't have to race around between the gp's over xmas and got to be somewhere I would lurve to be! .

My new years resolution - obviously to make a mill!

Damn it I read it again the Daily Mail and it says that Osbourne's ski holiday is costing £11,000, highly insensitive on the eve of his vat hike measures. "DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO" is one readers response, quite apt if you ask me.

Fish, take this as a lesson learned and Step Away From The Daily Mail. No good will ever come from it