Wish I could steal £16k, get away with it and call it a mistake.

[Guest]

To me he goes a long way to being representative of so much that is wrong in our country. Yet some people will still vote for him.

My understanding was we voted for the party the person represents, not the person themselves. Otherwise instead of using those with political leanings, the House of Commons would be full of our favourite celebs.

It might make Prime Minister's Questions Time more interesting.

No doubt. And I wonder that some of them might ask a question or two about him bringing the name of barristers into disrepute.

Too right. I also think that a list of those MPs who haven't abused the expenses system, as I am sure there are some out there, and I am pretty certain that there will be people hurling accusations and abuse at them when they have done nothing wrong.

[Thracian]

My understanding was we voted for the party the person represents, not the person themselves. Otherwise instead of using those with political leanings, the House of Commons would be full of our favourite celebs.

It might make Prime Minister's Questions Time more interesting.

Too right. I also think that a list of those MPs who haven't abused the expenses system, as I am sure there are some out there, and I am pretty certain that there will be people hurling accusations and abuse at them when they have done nothing wrong.

I'm surprised the "innocent" list hasn't been published. Perhaps it's being treble checked!

[Guest]

I'm surprised the "innocent" list hasn't been published. Perhaps it's being treble checked!

It must be longer than the "guilty" list.

[stez]

My understanding was we voted for the party the person represents, not the person themselves. Otherwise instead of using those with political leanings, the House of Commons would be full of our favourite celebs.

It might make Prime Minister's Questions Time more interesting.

Too right. I also think that a list of those MPs who haven't abused the expenses system, as I am sure there are some out there, and I am pretty certain that there will be people hurling accusations and abuse at them when they have done nothing wrong.

i tend to vote for the person who i feel is likely to represent me best, which ever party they may be in.

i probably wouldn't vote for paul denan though

[Thracian]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090517/tuk-s...nt-6323e80.html

I really cannot believe this guy is clinging onto office like birdshit on a cliffside.

He's another who has shown no shame and no honour.

There is no excuse for what he's done in seeking to prevent disclosure of MPs expenses. What defence is there to trying to cover up a scandal of mammoth proportions?

Were there any real justice in this country he'd be hauled before the courts for his part in bringing this country's Parliament into disrepute.

Even some of his own party members have disowned him including, reportedly, supporters in his own Scottish power base. And for heartland Labour Scots to turn on a socialist you know its gotta be bad.

Does he not understand that no-one gives a toss about his comments any more.

They all know he wants to stay in office so he can collect a nice fat earner like the other greedy bastards that are eating at the soul of this land.

They all know he wants to hang on long enough to hand his seat over to his son, as if our nation really needs a junior version of this disreputable Scotsman sitting in our Parliament.

Is the message not loud and clear? He's let this nation down. He doesn't deserve a penny and should feck off, hopefully never to be heard of agiain. Now.

[flanimal]

I'll be voting for the Tories next election, just like last time! The lesser of two evils. I say two because Liberal Democrats is like wasting a vote. I just want labour out.

[Guest]

i tend to vote for the person who i feel is likely to represent me best, which ever party they may be in.

i probably wouldn't vote for paul denan though

Problem is, they have to follow the party line. Although I bet Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen wouldn't. I can see him doing his own thing.

[Ultra]

I'd sooner lick shit than shake the hand of Keith Vaz.

To me he goes a long way to being representative of so much that is wrong in our country. Yet some people will still vote for him.

Why Leicester City continue to have their name mentioned in the same breath as Vaz I've no idea.

Honourable member? I don't know what he looks like in the shower but surely that title can't have anything to do with his status as a politician.

PS: As you say, the report makes a welcome change.

He's a dead man walking. I hear that officers of his constituency party are already discussing who may replace him before the next election.

But articles such as this in the local tabloid - which has never been a great fan of his - will make it harder to get rid of him.

And critics who ignore the failings of their own MPs and allow them to continue in office make it very easy for him to play the race card.

[Dan]

Robbing bastards. Labour are totally corrupt, always have been, and more than likely always will be. Gordon Brown and his government = wank.

Also when I can vote I will be voting either Conservatives or UKIP.

[Guest]

Robbing bastards. Labour are totally corrupt, always have been, and more than likely always will be. Gordon Brown and his government = wank.

Also when I can vote I will be voting either Conservatives or UKIP.

It's MPs from all parties who are abusing the system.

[Hullfox]

Have any of them actually broken the law or have they "only" abused the system that exists.

I know "only" makes it sound defendable but that's not what I was meaning.

Also, have any of the culprits actually had their misdemeanours downsized by The Telegraph following a rebuttal at all?

[Scow]

...you can claim reimbursement for the expenses listed provided that they are wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the course of your Parliamentary duties...you should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious.

It's not just abusing the system; it's breaking the rules. I'd suspect if some MPs were given the opportunity to look back on their expenses without the media's involvement, they wouldn't think twice about what they've done. Some have been caught out and some are desperately offering pathetic excuses to justify what's happened.

[l444ry]

Actually I'd compare the expense exploitation situation to benefit fraud. People exploit the benefits system, so the government tightens up on the rules. MPs exploit the expenses system, and... precisely nothing happens. Even if they do now get round to doing something, it will be because they have been forced by embarrassment into taking action. Our MPs are benefit cheats, they are thieving scum.

[Dan]

It's MPs from all parties who are abusing the system.

But I never said they were right did I?

At least David Cameron is doing something about it, most MP's that complain about the environment go into work in 4x4's, but Cameron bikes to work.

Either way:

Conservatives > Labour

[davieG]

Have any of them actually broken the law or have they "only" abused the system that exists.

I know "only" makes it sound defendable but that's not what I was meaning.

Also, have any of the culprits actually had their misdemeanours downsized by The Telegraph following a rebuttal at all?

I believe claiming expenses for a mortgage that has been completed and a husband and wife claiming expenses for the same second house are illegal

But I never said they were right did I?

At least David Cameron is doing something about it, most MP's that complain about the environment go into work in 4x4's, but Cameron bikes to work.

Either way:

Conservatives > Labour

Doesn't he have his 'Company Car' follow him though?

[Shrenchel]

I believe claiming expenses for a mortgage that has been completed and a husband and wife claiming expenses for the same second house are illegal

Doesn't he have his 'Company Car' follow him though?

Yes he has a car follow him because he says he can't carry his briefcase and all his files on his bike. fook knows how lowly civillians manage.

[l444ry]

David Cameron's Bike found at Jacqui Smith's House

After a tip-off this morning, police arrived at Jacqui Smith's house and took possession of a silver and black Scott mountain bike. It coincides with a police report that David Cameron's bicycle had been stolen from railings near his home.

Jacqui Smith claimed no knowledge of the bike, stating that it had in fact been found at her sister's house, so could not have anything to do with her.

David Cameron later admitted it wasn't actually his bike, but was one he had borrowed. His own bicycle is in fact the silver one that was stolen ten months ago, when he left it outside a Tesco store. It was subsequently recovered.

It is not known why he was not using his own bike, but Jacqui Smith has said that it is 'reprehensible' that he claims one bike as his primary cycle whilst actually using a second bicycle belonging to someone else as his personal pedalled transport. The Home Secretary also said it was a shame that the police had nothing better to do than make accusations against her. "They could have been fining motorists or arresting Joanna Lumley," she said.

David Cameron was not severely delayed by the loss of the bicycle, because the ministerial car following behind to carry his briefcase and spare cycle clips also had a backup bike in the boot. There were initial concerns that the missing bicycle had been confiscated by police due to a number of previous 'cycling errors' but this turned out not to be the case.

Mr Cameron said that he had been taking Norman Tebbit's advice by getting on his bike and looking for work as Prime Minister, but he was now wondering if it was such a good idea. He said he was probably going to give it up for a bit, but that re-cycling was still a long term aim.

[Guest]

Robbing bastards. Labour are totally corrupt, always have been, and more than likely always will be. Gordon Brown and his government = wank.

Also when I can vote I will be voting either Conservatives or UKIP.

But I never said they were right did I?

At least David Cameron is doing something about it, most MP's that complain about the environment go into work in 4x4's, but Cameron bikes to work.

Either way:

Conservatives > Labour

Your first post reads as though it is only Labour who are corrupt, and not the other parties. Certainly, your eagerness to vote for a party who are just as guilty backs that up.

Cameron cycling to "work" is a joke; have you not seen what follows him? That just shows him up to be just as hypocritical as anyone else. As for doing something about it, Cameron believes MPs should be able to defend their expense claims. So yes, he'll give a good telling off to, but those who can "justify" their expenses will be allowed to carry on. I'm sure they'll find good enough reasons....

It's not like Labour MPs are doing nothing. The biggest payment due back, so far, is going to come from a Labour minister.

I wouldn't be surprised if this system has been subject to such abuse for years, with MPs seeing as a perk of the job. After all, they'll justify it by convincing themselves by the sacrifices they are making no longer working as company executives, or barristers, or solicitors, or whatever, where they could be earning significantly higher salaries. The kudos of serving the country and their communities won't be enough. I would also bet that those who are taking the piss with their claims are gutted, and whoever leaked this information out in the first place is going to be more of an outcast in the House of Commons than those who have been claiming.

[Jon the Hat]

Yes he has a car follow him because he says he can't carry his briefcase and all his files on his bike. fook knows how lowly civillians manage.

It is his security detail in the car that follows him. Gordon takes two cars, one with his sceurity detail. So Cameron still takes one less car than he could.

[Jon the Hat]

It's not like Labour MPs are doing nothing. The biggest payment due back, so far, is going to come from a Labour minister.

I wouldn't be surprised if this system has been subject to such abuse for years, with MPs seeing as a perk of the job. After all, they'll justify it by convincing themselves by the sacrifices they are making no longer working as company executives, or barristers, or solicitors, or whatever, where they could be earning significantly higher salaries. The kudos of serving the country and their communities won't be enough. I would also bet that those who are taking the piss with their claims are gutted, and whoever leaked this information out in the first place is going to be more of an outcast in the House of Commons than those who have been claiming.

That is becuase Labour MP's have been taking more liberties.

Understand that this system was setup deliberately to give MP's an effetive payrise without having to come out and admit it. This is why most of these claims will never result in dismissal of any sort. The exceptions should and will be the claiming of paid off mortgages.

[Ultra]

Whoever leaked this information out in the first place is going to be more of an outcast in the House of Commons than those who have been claiming.

Given that the Telegraph allegedly paid a sum of well into six figures for the info (though their sales have more than made up for this), the person concerned is unlikely to give a flying one.

[Guest]

That is becuase Labour MP's have been taking more liberties.

Understand that this system was setup deliberately to give MP's an effetive payrise without having to come out and admit it. This is why most of these claims will never result in dismissal of any sort. The exceptions should and will be the claiming of paid off mortgages.

The second part I know and agree with, but regards to the first part, I still think that they're all as bad as each other, and always have been. I bet this has been going on for decades.

[Jon the Hat]

The second part I know and agree with, but regards to the first part, I still think that they're all as bad as each other, and always have been. I bet this has been going on for decades.

Yes, but as with everything else under Labour the control / overview seems to have slipped.

I think in general Tory MP's tend to be more wealthy, and there is clearly a desire / belief held by some MP's to live that wealtheir lifestyle without having actually earned it.

[Bellend Sebastian]

Yes, but as with everything else under Labour the control / overview seems to have slipped.

I think in general Tory MP's tend to be more wealthy, and there is clearly a desire / belief held by some MP's to live that wealtheir lifestyle without having actually earned it.

I think you're probably right there, and for me that makes them even less able to represent the people than the current lot.

I'm all for a change of government, or at the very least a change of personnel, but I don't think I could ever bring myself to vote Tory. I'd struggle to be convinced that they have any interest in anything any other than the needs of big business, and pandering to those more than they would have done previously ultimately hasn't helped Labour in the slightest, has it?

[davieG]

Yes, but as with everything else under Labour the control / overview seems to have slipped.

I think in general Tory MP's tend to be more wealthy, and there is clearly a desire / belief held by some MP's to live that wealtheir lifestyle without having actually earned it.

I doubt it what has happened is that it's finally been exposed. To suggest that because your wealthy makes you less greedy/dishonest is laughable.

All parties will have a proportion of their MPs with their noses firmly in the trough, labour will have more because there's more of them.