MPs' expenses: things for policywonk to say if she gets the chance

[policywonk]

So I'm off tomorrow afternoon to this panel discussion thing: here are the details

I'll go through the old thread tonight but post any more stuff here. Y'know, if you want to.

I'm SO OVER MPs' expenses.

[edam]

Actually, the really interesting stuff is will MPs take the once-in-a-generation chance for real reform and actually start holding the executive to account?

We have one of the weakest parliaments of all the Western democracies. If they get their act together, and come up with ways of really examining what the government is up, this could be the start of something really important. Especially if the lazy sods get off their arses and start looking at EU Directives.

[policywonk]

I don't really understand the security argument (not saying it's wrong, just don't understand it). They keep Parliament and Whitehall secure; why couldn't they keep a residential building secure?

Lenin - not live I don't think - will try to find out for sure tomorrow.

[edam]

Maybe it's the symbolism of having MPs in some massive building, protected by armed police, that worries them.

What will they do if vast numbers of people stay away from the polls for the local and EU elections? (As in, if even fewer than the usual derisory numbers turn up?)

[MarthaFarquhar]

Also, I don't think security concerns is a valid reason for saying they can't all be housed together. Surely they're all in the one place during the day, and it would be just as easy to target the House of Commons as a block of flats.

[MarthaFarquhar]

slow typing.....

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

I think the argument was a defence to the FOIA request to reveal MPs expenses; that MPs expenses included a 2nd home/address which would be part of the FOIA. Security is a legitimate concern, and if it was revealed the private addresses of MPs homes, then this could be a (potential) problem. In the end, it was decided that the addresses were not an important matter for public record, but expenses were.

[policywonk]

If vast numbers stay away we're in trouble, BNP-wise. Let's hope it has a galvanising effect. The Greens are getting some encouraging numbers I think (much higher than BNP nationwide).

[BigGitDad]

I agree about the block of flats, security issue is codswallop, they can protect parliament and 10 Downing Street so what is the issue? It would save a fortune in claims by the MP's too, in fact it would probably pay for itself.
Goodpoint about the John Lewis list too.
Transparency is important for me too, if it had not been for the leak we would all be none the wiser.MP's have to be accountable.

[policywonk]

ilove... - I'd understand that argument if spouses and children lived at the address, but not if we're just talking about tiny Japanese-style pods with fold-up beds and showers hidden in the curtain rods -

[MrsWednesday]

The Olympic Village is now publicly owned, why don't they use that for MPs accommodation after 2012?

[MollieO]

They could buy one of those tower blocks in Kennington which is in division bell area.

Could you also ask why the Speaker chose to resign today? Cynical moi thinks it was well timed to take the heat off the publication of the 7/7 intelligence report - confirming what I at least have already experienced first hand that our protection from would be terrorists is crap.

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

Oh, I see. You are wondering about the future hypothetical security concerns.

Have to make it unappealing for public school boys though, and all this talk of showers/boys gets them terribly excited

[IorekByrnison]

Good luck, policy. Agree that Martha's question and the John Lewis/Argos divide very good angle.

Agree too with Mollie that rents not mortgages should be funded.

The huge indignation that is focussed on MP's at the moment is surely fuelled in part by the rather more diffuse and impotent anger felt at the way in which wealth (on a far far greater scale) has been transferred from the many to the few during the excesses of the boom and consequent bust. If confidence is to be restored in politics it needs to go much further than reforming MP's expenses. I would want to see politicians starting to talk in very direct terms about social justice.

[policywonk]

(What do you mean by 'first hand' Mollie - were you caught up in 7/7?)

[MollieO]

What about one of those prison ships? It could be moored the other side of Tower Bridge so short commute to Westminster.

[MollieO]

PW yes - on the Aldgate train and about 15-20 feet from the bomber other side of tube bulkhead in neighbouring carriage. Just annoys me that what should have been today's main news item has been buried.

[policywonk]

Holy shit. Don't blame you for being pissed off.

[policywonk]

Thanks Iorek.

Think I'm going to turn in now but will check this again tomorrow morning.

[ilovemydogandMrObama]

wow MollieO. don't know what to say...

[MollieO]

Sorry, I don't want to distract anyone from the message of tomorrow - PW what will you be wearing (if the trousers are too tight?!).

[policywonk]

Could I get away with M+S £12 jeans? I'm not going to suffer MN-scrutiny-by-live-streaming this time (I think...)

[EachPeachPearMum]

Lol@ £12 jeans... are they claimable do you think? Do MNtowers have a M&S list?

re renting- of course you know many more wealthy mps (and therefore the ones who don't actually really need the expenses scheme anyway) will just rent from another family member, so we'd be paying mortgage and funding appreciation anyway.

GL PW

[Grumpy0ldWotz]

Please (if it allowed) could someone tell me where PW is on twitter?

[FabulousBakerGirl]

Have only read the OP so apologies if repeating.

They need to stop saying the rules were wrong. The rules were fine, it is the people putting in claims and those okaying them that have acted wrongly.