Is it just me, or is Caroline Spelman being witchhunted...?

[WilfSell]

Those of you who know me will know I am so NOT an apologist for Tories.

I mean come on: it is SMALL POTATOES. 9 grand for childcare costs? The other fucking Tory who paid his son 120k on his payroll was corrupt. This is just pathetic in comparison. It IS a breach of the rules but for god's sake.

Childcare costs should be a private matter but I think all the old duffers who have kept their wives in pearl necklaces and sherry over the years are a fairer target than a working mother.

FGS.

you know, I find myself agreeing with you.

The nanny was paid to be a PT secretary.

Just as ministers' wives are paid to be PT secretaries.

For answering the phone and stuff when they are at home and the boss/husband is out doing essential parlimentary stuff.

I don't see the difference between the nanny answering the phone and taking the odd message and being paid for it and the wife answering the phone and taking the odd message.

Of course I realise it is different, but I don't see it as a problem in the grand scheme of things.

Strikes me a bit similar to chasing benefit cheats when they should be after tax evaders

Where do you draw the line though? After the 'sleaze' years, the Tories have to be whiter than white (depsite the fact that Labour are far more sleazy than the Tories ever were) and I really think that MP's of whatever colour should stick to the rules.

And why does it make a difference that she is a working mother?

I will remain anonymous but I know someone who works in the same company as a her husband and he is one of the top partners there and earns an absolute fortune. I think it is disgusting that they got tax payers money to pay her nanny when their combined income would halve Africa's national debt!

surely both are wrong and it is the idea that turning a blind eye to corruption on this smaller scale is ok that leads to corruption on a massive scale.
so yes someone ripping off the govt for 120k is worse, but that doesn't mean the person only ripping it off for 9k should be let away with it.

You mean to hide the fact that MPs are currently changing the rules so they can actually get away with the second home fiddles as they will now be in their rule book?

Tbh I didn't really mind if she paid the nanny, surely that would count as an assistants job for an MP. The rest of the swindles, the generous housing expenses are the ones that make me sick to the stomach.

A nanny is hardly an MP's assistant.

I used to be a nanny, I'm biased!