Keeping in the family. Mp's give spouses £1.3m pay rise.

[[TW]Fox]

Obviously you're in the know, so lay it on the line and put everyone right.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/19/emily-thornberry-islington-mps-expenses

An interesting read. She appears to turn up for work 3 days at week and sulk off home at 2pm. Or not.

 

[Danthus]

If it's such an easy gravy train of hilarity why are none of you standing for election to join the fun? Free money right? No work? Why wouldn't you want to pull in £67k a year to do nothing?

Because unless you have the great party machine behind you you have little chance of ever being elected as in independent MP.

Lets be honest, a fair few are almost air dropped into a safe seat.

 

[Skidder]

I would not want to by an MP for twice what they earn. It can make a lot of sense to have a family member work for you. Trust being important. My PA is a family member and it works, I can trust her to work from home and with personal information etc. No doubt some politicians are milking the system (as everybody does in any job to the degree permissible) but the bashing is dull, as Fox says it is just like the banker-bashing which is so tired and predictable.

 

[McBain]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/may/19/emily-thornberry-islington-mps-expenses

An interesting read. She appears to turn up for work 3 days at week and sulk off home at 2pm. Or not.

Friday, starts work at 10.30am and no mention of what time she finishes. Could well be 2pm for all we know. Day largely consists of writing letters and speaking to volunteers.

Saturday, starts work at 10am, again no mention of finish time. Morning spent speaking to people and the afternoon presumably doing nothing due to a 'misunderstanding' - heard that one before.

Sunday && Monday - presume days off

Tuesday - Half a day off because of 'meetings im not allowed to go to' - again, heard that one before. Sorting meeting invites, mentions she might need to stay on until 10, but then again, might not. Seems the day is largely made up of 'waiting around for hours'

Wednesday - Starts work at 8.30, hands out leaflets in the morning then off to PMQ. She does one before it even finishes, then takes a 2 hour lunch break 'plotting'. No idea what time she finishes.

Thursday - Can't seem to make out what she's actually doing?

Friday/Saturday/Sunday - Friday morning chats to some school kids, gives a speech Saturday morning and then refines a speech for Sunday morning.

Monday - Brain storming and off to the chamber until 10.50pm.

Well, i'm convinced.

For the record, I don't really have an opinion on MPs either way, whether they work hard, don't work hard, earn their money or don't earn their money. In my opinion a 67K salary is far from pathetic, and if it wasn't a fair reflection on the work they do, they wouldn't do it.

 

[Jokester]

To be honest, this should just be banned.

 

[Kronos]

it is just like the banker-bashing which is so tired and predictable.

Perhaps politicians and bankers would not continue to be 'bashed' if instead of the usual lessons will be learnt that we hear every time some crookedness by these groups is exposed that changes are made. But invariably any changes are minor and the status quo remain.

Remember the banks to big to fail, so there was promises of breaking them up so in the event that they again got themselves into a financial mess then they would not need astronomical sums from the public purse to bail them out. That proposal has only been implemented in a much watered down way. And the same with MP's expenses who whinged when watchdogs tried to bring in a fair system and again the changes were minimal and total expenses have risen considerably.

 

[bloodline76]

I guess not - MP's probably do their own admin etc



Perhaps if we didn't give MP's such pathetic salaries - they earn less money than many middle management in firms in London - we wouldn't need to have such a complex expenses regime to ensure that being an MP isn't something nobody can afford.

So because they don't earn what they could in another job you feel it's fine for them to act fraudulently? They could go do another job that pays better. There see loads of jobs that benefit the community more which are low paid but people do them. But let's just increase their money because otherwise they will be forced to steal money in creative ways.

I think a fair wage for the little they add to the community as a whole. They are in it because they can influence decisions and make money for themselves and friends. It's already been proven they can't be trusted, so your plan is because they can't we should reward them with more money...

I take my hat off to them for fooling people into actually feeling sorry for them.

 

[[TW]Fox]

So because they don't earn what they could in another job you feel it's fine for them to act fraudulently?

No, but much of the whinging about expenses isn't about fraud (Anyone fraudulently claiming expenses as an MP should be arrested and charged) it's about perceived unfairness through a general lack of understanding.

If an MP is fraudulently pretending that family members work for them when they don't, then charge them and strike them off. But I'd wager the vast majority are not committing fraud at all and genuinely do employ wives to help run the political office. It's a fairly sensible thing to do, surely?

They could go do another job that pays better

Doubtless many better candidates than our existing MP's already do.

They are in it because they can influence decisions and make money for themselves and friends.

I very much doubt your average MP who will never become a government minister is in it for that at all. If they are they are somewhat stupid as there must be numerous more efficient ways to do that than become an MP.

 

[Amp34]

67 grand is 'pathetic'?

You might just be able to afford a small terrace house South of the river.... If the wife/husband is also on good pay...

 

[bloodline76]

It really is stunning just how much of what we think we know comes almost entirely from the media. The media told us MP's do no work and laze about stealing everyones money and only vote the way they are told (and voting is all they do). So it obviously must be true.

If it's such an easy gravy train of hilarity why are none of you standing for election to join the fun? Free money right? No work? Why wouldn't you want to pull in £67k a year to do nothing?

And the same can be said about if it's so much hard work and under paid why don't they go find one of these many higher paid jobs in London? They would do less and earn more... Seems like only an idiot would do it...

Or is it just easier to steal what is owed to them for their personal sacrifice.

To say people's knowledge is tainted by the media is almost as stupid as defending these MPs. How do you get your information from around the country and world other than from media? You just have to make your own judgement on the knowledge available taking into consideration that media groups personal interests or goals. You then come up with an educated opinion.

These people have actually been caught cheating the public, it's not hear say. But I guess because they don't get paid as much as they could it's fine.

 

[McBain]

You might just be able to afford a small terrace house South of the river.... If the wife/husband is also on good pay...

Why would they need to buy? As far as i'm aware an MP can expense to rent a second home in London should they require.

For others who don't, it's quite simple, do what everyone else on that salary has to do and live outside of London.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Why would they need to buy? As far as i'm aware an MP can expense to rent a second home in London should they require.

Not if your constituency is in, say, London you can't.

 

[Danthus]

Adrian Bailey: Jill Bailey £9,999
Adrian Sanders: Alison Sanders £29,999
Aidan Burley: Jodie Jones £29,999
Alan Campbell: Jayne Campbell £4,999
Alan Haselhurst: Angela Margaret £44,999
Alan Meale: Diana Gilhespy £19,999
Albert Owen: Samuel Blyth £29,999
Alec Shelbrooke: Susan Shelbrooke £14,999
Alex Cunningham: John Cunningham £9,999
Alistair Burt: Eve Burt £39,999
Andrew George: Jill George £4,999
Andrew Miller: Frances Miller £29,999
Andrew Robathan: Rachel Robathan £24,999
Andrew Smith: Valerie Smith £14,999
Andrew Turner: Carole Dennett £19,999
Angela Smith: Steven Wilson £39,999
Angus MacNeil: Jane MacNeil £24,999
Angus Robertson: Carron Anderson £29,999
Annette Brooke: Eleanor Perera £4,999
Barry Gardiner: Caroline Smith £24,999
Ben Wallace: Liza Wallace £24,999
Bill Cash: Bridget Cash £29,999
Bob Ainsworth: Gloria J Ainsworth £14,999
Bob Blackman: Nicola Blackman £34,999
Brian Donohoe: Christine Donohoe £24,999
Caroline Flint: Phil Cole £39,999
Cathy Jamieson: Ian Sharpe £14,999
Charles Walker: Fiona Walker £29,999
Cheryl Gillan: John Leeming £19,999
Chris Grayling: Susan Grayling £39,999
Chris Ruane: Gillian Roberts £24,999
Chris Williamson: Margaret Amsbury £29,999
Christopher Chope: Christine Chope £49,999
Clive Betts: James Thomas £34,999
Craig Whittaker: Sophie Whittaker £19,999
Dan Jarvis: Rachel Brookes £9,999
Dan Rogerson: Heidi Rogerson £9,999
Daniel Poulter: Carol Poulter £39,999
David Amess: Julia Amess £19,999
David Burrowes: Rebecca Chard £39,999
David Crausby: Enid Crausby £39,999
David Davies: Aliz Harnisfoger-Davies £9,999
David Davis: Doreen Margery Davis £34,999
David Hamilton: Jean Hamilton £29,999
David Mundell: Oliver Mundell £29,999
Dennis Skinner: Lois Blasenheim £39,999
Derek Twigg: Mary Twigg £29,999
Desmond Swayne: Moira Swayne £9,999
Diana Johnson: Kevin Morton £39,999
Frank Roy: Ellen Roy £4,999
Gareth Johnson: Wendy Johnson £14,999
Gary Streeter: Janet Vanessa Streeter £14,999
Gavin Williamson: Joanne Williamson £4,999
George Howarth: Julie Howarth £34,999
George Young: Camilla Young £34,999
Glenda Jackson: Clare Fletcher £9,999
Glyn Davies: Bobbie Davies £19,999
Graham Brady: Victoria Lowther £44,999
Graham Evans: Cheryl Evans £24,999
Graham Stringer: Eleanor Carr £29,999
Graham Stuart: Niki Roberts £34,999
Graham Morris: Michelle Morris £14,999
Greg Knight: Janet Knight £24,999
Gregory Campbell: Frances Campbell £19,999
Helen Grant: Simon Grant £9,999
Helen Jones: Michael Vobe £39,999
Henry Bellingham: Emma Bellingham £14,999
Henry Smith: Jennifer Lois Millar-Smith £24,999
Hilary Benn: Sally Clark £24,999
Hugo Swire: Alexandra Sasha Swire £34,999
Hywel Francis: Mair Francis £44,999
Iain McKenzie: Alison McKenzie £4,999
Iain Wright: Tiffany Wright £29,999
Ian Davidson: Morag MacKinnon £34,999
Ian Lavery: Hilary Lavery £24,999
Ian Liddell-Grainger: Jill Liddell-Grainger £34,999
Ian Lucas: Noah Lucas £9,999
Ian Murray: Hannah Woolfson £9,999
Ian Swales: Anne Marie Swales £9,999
Jackie Doyle-Price: Mark Steven Coxshall £19,999
James Gray: Phillipa Gray £34,999
James Paice: Ava Paice £14,999
Jeffry Donaldson: Eleanor Donaldson £24,999
Jim Dobbin: Mary Dobbin £34,999
Jim Hood: Marion Stewart Hood £24,999
Jim Sheridan: Joanne Riley £29,999
Joe Benton: Doris Benton £24,999
John Healey: Jackie Bate £14,999
John Mann: Joanna White £34,999
John Robertson: Laura Robertson £4,999
John Stevenson: Tracy Nixon £9,999
Julian Brazier: Katharine Elizabeth Brazier £19,999
Julie Elliott: Miles Elliott £24,999
Karen Bradley: Neil Bradley £44,999
Karl McCartney: Cordelia McCartney £39,999
Kelvin Hopkins: Patricia Hopkins £14,999
Kevin Barron: Andree Deane £14,999
Laurence Robertson: Anne Marie Adams £44,999
Lee Scott: Estelle Scott £34,999
Liam Byrne: Sarah Harnett £9,999
Linda Riordan: Stephen Roberts £39,999
Lindsay Hoyle: Catherine Hoyle £14,999
Malcolm Bruce: Rosemary Bruce £35,000
Margaret Beckett: Lionel Beckett £30,000
Mark Garnier: Caroline Garnier £40,000
Mark Pritchard: Sondra Spaeth £45,000
Mark Simmonds: Lizbeth Simmonds £25,000
Mark Tami: Sally Tami £20,000
Martin Caton: Bethan Caton £35,000
Martin Vickers: Ann Vickers £10,000
Meg Munn: Dennis Bates £25,000
Menzies Campbell: Elspeth Cambpell £30,000
Michael Dugher: Joanna Dugher £35,000
Michael Fallon: Wendy Fallon £20,000
Michael McCann: Tracey Ann McCann £35,000
Michael Moore: Alison Moore £20,000
Mike Penning; Angela Penning £35,000
Nadine Dorries: Phillipa Dorries £45,000, Jennifer Dorries £35,000
Neil Parish: Susan Parish £20,000
Nigel Adams: Claire Adams £20,000
Oliver Heald: Christine Heald £40,000
Owen Paterson: Rose Paterson £35,000
Patrick McLoughlin: Lynn McLoughlin £40,000
Patrick Mercer: Susan Gray £40,000
Paul Beresford: Julie Beresford £30,000
Paul Farrelly: Victoria Perry £5,000
Paul Flynn: Lynne Flynn £20,000
Peter Aldous: Mark Bee £10,000
Peter Bone: Jeanette Bone £50,000
Phil Wilson: Margaret Brown £40,000
Philip Davies: Deborah Davies £25,000
Phillip Lee: Anthony Lee £10,000
Rehman Chishti: Nusrat Ahmed £25,000
Richard Ottaway: Nicola Ottaway £15,000
Richard Shepherd: Davida Catleugh £40,000
Robert Buckland: Sian Reed £5,000
Robert Goodwill: Maureen Goodwill £20,000
Roger Gale: Susan Gale £40,000
Ronnie Campbell: Deirdre Campbell £15,000
Russell Brown: Gillian Carey £25,000
Sharon Hodgson: Alan Hodgson £35,000
Simon Danczuk: Karen Burke £30,000
Simon Hart: Abigail Hart £25,000
Stephen Crabb: Beatrice Crabb £20,000
Stephen Gilbert: Jaqueline Bull £15,000
Stephen Hammond: Sally Hammond £45,000
Stephen Pound: Maggie Pound £25,000
Teresa Pearce: Paul O’Neill £10,000
Tim Loughton: Elizabeth Loughton £10,000
Tom Harris: Carolyn Harris £35,000
Tony Lloyd: Angharad Lloyd £10,000
Valerie Vaz: Paul Townsend £40,000
William McCrea: Robert Watters £25,000
Yvonne Fovargue: Paul Kenny £25,000

Quite a few were at it as of 2013.

 

[McBain]

Not if your constituency is in, say, London you can't.

Already edited that in. Live outside of central London, like everyone else on that salary banding would.

 

[Cosimo]

They don't do anything, they steal money from us.

JUST LIKE BANKERS

Carry on like that and someone might vote for you....

 

[[TW]Fox]

And the same can be said about if it's so much hard work and under paid why don't they go find one of these many higher paid jobs in London? They would do less and earn more... Seems like only an idiot would do it...

It does seem like only an idiot would do it, doesn't it?

Remind me again, do we often complain about the calibre of our MP's? Why yes, yes we do...

Or is it just easier to steal what is owed to them for their personal sacrifice.

Stop implying that I've suggested fraud is fine because the pay sucks. I've said the expenses they claim are fine because the pay sucks, if they are defrauding the expenses system they should be arrested and charged.

These people have actually been caught cheating the public, it's not hear say. But I guess because they don't get paid as much as they could it's fine.

Why do you insist on grouping an entire group of people as one? Some of them were caught cheating - and many of those that were paid the price for that. Many were not caught cheating, infact I would suggest the majority were not caught cheating.

 

[Danthus]

Given all the scandal over expenses I think about only five MP's were found to have acted criminally.

Yet we paid for duck ponds.

 

[Danthus]

......... infact I would suggest the majority were not caught cheating.

Only because the rules were so lax they didn't break them.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Already edited that in. Live outside of central London, like everyone else on that salary banding would.

I'm sure they do, not sure where this is going because arguing the salary is poor for the work done does not equate to saying 'they can't afford to live!' which obviously they can.

With zero context of course 67k is not a bad salary. It's a very good salary.

I don't think its unfair to say that politicians salary's are not generous. Heck even the Prime Minister of this country - the guy in charge of running the whole show - earns less than a senior manager at most medium to large organisations!

 

[bloodline76]

No, but much of the whinging about expenses isn't about fraud (Anyone fraudulently claiming expenses as an MP should be arrested and charged) it's about perceived unfairness through a general lack of understanding.

If an MP is fraudulently pretending that family members work for them when they don't, then charge them and strike them off. But I'd wager the vast majority are not committing fraud at all and genuinely do employ wives to help run the political office. It's a fairly sensible thing to do, surely?

Doubtless many better candidates than our existing MP's already do.

I very much doubt your average MP who will never become a government minister is in it for that at all. If they are they are somewhat stupid as there must be numerous more efficient ways to do that than become an MP.

it's highly unlikely that the best people for these admin roles are spouses and friends. If everything was transparent and these people had integrity then it might be a fairer assumption but we don't. I would love it if we lived in a world where we can trust these people but their reputations hold very little credit.

As for those that get caught, how many truly got punished? Can't even think of any that got an serious punishment.

I do agree we should pay more money to attract better people. I don't agree they should increase the current flocks money.