Comments on: MPs and the “John Lewis” list http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/ Our UK correspondents' insights Fri, 5 Sep 2008 16:54:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Angus MacDonald http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2971 Angus MacDonald Tue, 20 May 2008 13:09:54 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2971 It would appear that it is quite legal for an MP to falsify documents relating to work carried out by direct employees which is of no interest to their Council or the Inland Revinue. Is it really about their address? When will a braveheart actually stand up. The one on his butt in the speakers box at the moment makes me very ashamed. This is not our way. It would appear that it is quite legal for an MP to falsify documents relating to work carried out by direct employees which is of no interest to their Council or the Inland Revinue. Is it really about their address? When will a braveheart actually stand up. The one on his butt in the speakers box at the moment makes me very ashamed. This is not our way.

]]> By: Mike T http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2936 Mike T Mon, 19 May 2008 18:16:04 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2936 MPs should be paid a salary which allows them to maintain two homes. Lots of other people do it at reasonable cost (holiday homes) so why not them? The key thing is that they must be spending their own money, not snuffling in the taxpayer-funded trough. We would soon see a change in what they consider to be a "reasonable" cost. MPs should be paid a salary which allows them to maintain two homes. Lots of other people do it at reasonable cost (holiday homes) so why not them? The key thing is that they must be spending their own money, not snuffling in the taxpayer-funded trough. We would soon see a change in what they consider to be a “reasonable” cost.

]]> By: Rolls Eyes http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2869 Rolls Eyes Fri, 16 May 2008 15:32:14 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2869 It is perfectly reasonable that MPs can claim for the cost of having a second home. If your constituency is in, say, Newcastle, you would need a home there and one in London in order to be able to serve your constituents AND attend parliament. However, it is also perfectly reasonable for taxpayers to expect to be told how much MPs are claiming for this priveledge since it is, after all, public money. It is perfectly reasonable that MPs can claim for the cost of having a second home. If your constituency is in, say, Newcastle, you would need a home there and one in London in order to be able to serve your constituents AND attend parliament.

However, it is also perfectly reasonable for taxpayers to expect to be told how much MPs are claiming for this priveledge since it is, after all, public money.

]]> By: Tom Morgan http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2867 Tom Morgan Fri, 16 May 2008 12:25:12 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2867 Yes, fair enough MP's should be payed handsomely and they deserve a second home. Do they really need up to 23,000 pounds a YEAR for their second home though? Yes, fair enough MP’s should be payed handsomely and they deserve a second home. Do they really need up to 23,000 pounds a YEAR for their second home though?

]]> By: Mogwai http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2866 Mogwai Fri, 16 May 2008 11:58:03 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2866 As they are spending public money, I think they should extend the public the courtesy of letting us know what they are spending it on. As they are spending public money, I think they should extend the public the courtesy of letting us know what they are spending it on.

]]> By: William Clarkson http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2865 William Clarkson Fri, 16 May 2008 11:07:32 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2008/05/16/mps-and-the-john-lewis-list/#comment-2865 As a public servant embarking on a career in politics the members key objective should be to meet his or her obligations to serve the public. It is recognised that this might involve working antisocial hours etc. However if the member is not prepared for this at the outset he or she should not complain once in service. Should a second home be required due to the location of the members constituency this should be allowed under present rules but should the member cease as a member any profits from the sale of the second property should be returned to the government.... As a public servant embarking on a career in politics the members key objective should be to meet his or her obligations to serve the public. It is recognised that this might involve working antisocial hours etc. However if the member is not prepared for this at the outset he or she should not complain once in service. Should a second home be required due to the location of the members constituency this should be allowed under present rules but should the member cease as a member any profits from the sale of the second property should be returned to the government….

]]>