Don't mind me... I'm not here...

Today's decision to allow the third runway was bound to cause a stir, and the Government knew this, and used it to mask a little bill of their own.

Remember a few MP expenses being published in the press, giving details of Prescott's stone cladding, the Speaker's wife's annual £5000 taxi bill, Tony Blair's new kitchen and late payment fines? Well today they've announced the 'reform' on expenses.

First of all they've blocked further releasing of MP's expenses (even though ordered by an Information Tribunal), in order to release a spreadsheet with fluffed data. 26 Headings in all to cover every MP and their expenses...

And they have released the new plans MP's must abide buy, including;

A limit of £20k to outfit their house with electronics
Refurbishment of property is still allowed
£25 a day flat rate for expenses (Inland Revenue allow you and I £5)
No receipts required for expenses up to £25

And all this is to be self regulated...again! With a 'sample' of MP's expenses checked. There is no stated minimum number of accounts to be checked however.

This is unreal. They couldn't be trusted before, and now it's just allowing them even greater freedom to spend public money on themselves.

With reference to the £25 a day limit, unreceipted; how can that be justified? Well apparently "It has been argued that it would be excessively burdensome for Members to have provided receipts for all transactions and that additional costs incurred.. would be likely disproportionate."
Anyone who has dealt with the Inland Revenue knows that they'd get their **** whooped for £25 without a justification, and we only get £5!

Another example of 'do what we say, not what we do'.

We've got a Government who see themselves as in a seperate society, to which we're not welcome.

I really hope that people begin rebelling. This will be the last straw for many

http://www.parliament.uk/documents/u...enbook0809.pdf

Tut bloomin' MP's

They earn enough, why on earth do they "need" all the extra cash? They dont. Heres an idea, give us civilians and the services (NHS /Police / Fire Service / Schools) the money.

Sometimes you feel like there is no point in even having an opinion because no matter how much you whinge and protest, they just get away with it. Grrrrr


Maria

[tinpants]

I believe this is what is known as a "take out the trash" day. Meaning that anything the Government wants "burie" gets held back until there is a big Story to hide it behind. That way they can still claim to be transparent in the eyes of the electorate.





Or am I just being overly cynical?

Originally Posted by Bellerophon

I believe this is what is known as a "take out the trash" day. Meaning that anything the Government wants "burie" gets held back until there is a big Story to hide it behind. That way they can still claim to be transparent in the eyes of the electorate.





Or am I just being overly cynical?

Hehe. It couldn't have been better timed!

There were two Labour MPs, one Lib Dem and one Tory who approved it. So there's no surprise to see all parties as bad as each other.

When you have no one you would like to elect in to parliament; what option do you have left?!

While the general populace is more concerned about the results of X-factor than the news, these things will become all the more common.

So who won X-idol-come-skating?

Fecking bloody gits.

[embee]

Aww, bless them.

They could always employ one of their half-wit children to do the accounts for them, say £50k p.a. (taxpayers money, mind)

Originally Posted by Flamin_Squirrel

While the general populace is more concerned about the results of X-factor than the news, these things will become all the more common.

The general populace?! I think even Gordon Clown expressed his opinion on the thing twice

[northwind]

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

I really hope that people begin rebelling. This will be the last straw for many

No it won't. Not many are even going to notice, most of those who do will take the same "Bloody government, I never voted for them" approach, maybe post about it on the internet, and instantly forget, most of the rest will realise that the other lot would do the same.