Do MPs Cost Too Much?

Hammer · 15th March 2008, 9:39pm

One of the biggest pieces of political news of late has been the publication of the so-called 'John Lewis List', which dictates how much money MPs may claim back from the state for furnishing a second home in London. The BBC have helpfully published the full list here.

Given this, and the large subsidies received by both MPs and MSPs to provide them with office staff and accommodation, second homes in Edinburgh or London and the 'jobs for the boys' attitudes exhibited with respect to employing friends and family, is the tax payer paying too much for MPs?

I'd have to say, yes we are. There are more then 600 MPs and 128 MSPs. With that many people, even if they don't all make large claims, the country must be throwing millions of pounds at them to provide goods that they do not have to relinquish when they end their term. Of course all of this is on top of quite large wages as well.
I just hope that given the recent bad publicity, our elected representatives decided to be a bit more 'prudent' instead of levying a few more pence tax.

Euronymous · 26th March 2008, 4:39pm

The costs for "basic" living is too high. A grand for a bed? They should be given a basic and if they want to upgrade, do it at their own cost. All personal items should be funded by themselves as well. A coffee maker? Whats wrong with a kettle?

thetruemayhem · 26th March 2008, 11:50pm

MP's take the piss. Granted, they do help govern the country, but at the end of the day, the exuberance they live with will only serve to turn more like them into the absolutely detached elitist cunts you see on the benches of the commons.

But, of course, nothing will happen about this, because they'd never vote in any measures to curb it.

t.

metallideth · 27th March 2008, 2:21am

Basic package - 600 separate lengths of rope, step ladders and insecure floorboards. Result - democracy.

djbarry · 27th March 2008, 2:29am

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallideth

Basic package - 600 separate lengths of rope, step ladders and insecure floorboards. Result - democracy.

Don't you mean - 600 separate lengths of rope, 600 oranges and 600 hotel room doors?

Addy · 27th March 2008, 2:39am

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetruemayhem

MP's take the piss. Granted, they do help govern the country, but at the end of the day, the exuberance they live with will only serve to turn more like them into the absolutely detached elitist cunts you see on the benches of the commons.

But, of course, nothing will happen about this, because they'd never vote in any measures to curb it.

t.

In fact they explicity vote in measures to prevent the public detecting it, like the recent bill to prevent expenses being identified.

metallideth · 27th March 2008, 2:39am

Quote:

Originally Posted by djbarry

Don't you mean - 600 separate lengths of rope, 600 oranges and 600 hotel room doors?

Sexy politics?

djbarry · 27th March 2008, 2:43am

Normal party conference behavior I think

0x21 · 27th March 2008, 8:11am

Some of the limits are pretty mental, especially since we're talking about 2nd homes nearer their offices, which I'm sure they should be treating more like hotels (in fact, it'd probably be cheaper to put them up in hotels during the week).

Hi-fi/stereo - £750.00
Recordable DVD - £270.00

Surely they are hardly a necessity for work? and £750 for a hi-fi? thats, well, generous

TSR · 27th March 2008, 8:38am

my only comment on this will be:
yes. yes we are.

**djtoast** · 27th March 2008, 9:59am

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallideth

Basic package - 600 separate lengths of rope, step ladders and insecure floorboards. Result - democracy.

I'm pretty sure you can be sent to cuba and torutured for making those kinda terrorist!!!11 remarks.

metallideth · 27th March 2008, 2:54pm

It's alright, the secret services are probably too busy trying to find Gordon Brown after he got 'lost' at St George's Hall.