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   MP's expenses cuts leaked
by Tom Rodgers News of drastic cuts in MP's expenses have been selectively leaked to the press this week. We have had our own offenders in Salford, and now with the country's eyes on the behaviour of MPs countrywide, the leader of the expenses investigation, Christopher Kelly, has recommended tens of thousands of pounds be cut from monies available to our elected representatives. Firstly, Kelly has recommended that the £10,500 Communications Allowance for MPs be removed completely. The CA is used to produce party materials like leaflets and newsletters, and to pay for stamps and letter. It does provide an enormous advantage to the individual currently in a position of power, as it means they don't have to spend their own money on this costly kind of administration. Iain Lindley, Prospective Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Worlsey and Eccles South, commented to SalfordOnline: "The communications allowance is nothing more than a propaganda fund for sitting Labour MPs, and there is no justification for such misuse of taxpayers’ money. "I have already pledged not to use the allowance at all if elected, and I would be very pleased if the Kelly report recommended the abolition of the Communications Allowance." Also to go in the cuts are MPs mortgage repayments, this is the one which will cause much more ruckus. Some MPs have spoken out to say that the taxpayer is actually getting a bargain by paying for the interest on their mortgage repayments, as rent on the same properties would be much higher. Mr Lindley commented: "A ban on mortgage payments would be sensible – it will allow MPs to serve their local communities and commute to Westminster without being seen to profit personally from the arrangements." Also, Kelly recommended that MP's be forced to sack family members who are working for them to prevent the possiblilty of corruption or impropriety. This is particularly harsh on wives or husbands who work for their spouses in government, but might prevent a Derek Conway situation where the former Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup in London was able to employ his son, a full-time student at Newcastle University, as a political researcher, with his wages paid from public funds. And of course, with the riot in the press and smiliar thinking in the street, any MPs who are thinking about opposing the changes will surely have a short shelf life in their current job. Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
