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MP expenses revealed - Rhys G (18th Jun 2009 - 09:32:10) So the MP expenses are finally made public online. This is going to be an exciting read. I've only looked at our local MP's expenses claims for 2 minutes and found £25.82 for some vases, £183.39 for a chainsaw and £728.99 for a TV in the first document I opened The files are available here.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Alan Baker (18th Jun 2009 - 09:44:49) He also needs to check that he / we aren't paying too much for some things. HP Q2610A toner cartidge - he paid £107 for one Available online for £48.99 inc VAT and delivery. Alan

Re: MP expenses revealed - Eneida (18th Jun 2009 - 09:54:58) It's not very easy to read....unless I haven't got the right set up on my computer....and what are all those black squares about ??

Re: MP expenses revealed - Alan Baker (18th Jun 2009 - 09:57:28) This stuff makes great reading. August 2007 - £650 of heating oil paid for by us. August 2007 - £428 to fit 4 lights around the house. Also seems to have been claiming £400 per month for 'food' I wish I used to be an MP

Re: MP expenses revealed - Rhys G (18th Jun 2009 - 10:06:42) The black squares seem to block personal details, ie address, signatures etc - but in doing so they have also blacked out some details of what he (they) were claiming for. I'm guessing the limit for food was set at £400/month, so why not claim the maximum?!?

Re: MP expenses revealed - Beth (18th Jun 2009 - 12:58:15) I'm livid! Do you think that the tax man would be comfortable with the notion of my claiming £400 a month to feed my family? Foolishly I've always thought that this expense, as well as those of general maintenance, a gardener, cleaner or TV should be things that I fund. Dare I ask what on earth their salary is for? This is an outrageous abuse of the trust of the taxpayer and electorate. I'm sorry Mr Arbuthnot, but shame on you, and any of your colleagues that saw fit to claim in this way.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Editor (18th Jun 2009 - 13:35:55) James Arbuthnot Job: Chairman of the defence select committee Salary: £78,805 Total second home claims 2004-05: £20,902 2005-06: £21,634 2006-07: £22,110 2007-08: £23,083 Source - www.telegraph.co.uk/..

Re: MP expenses revealed - Steve Read (18th Jun 2009 - 18:05:12) Any news from 'Dick Turpin' he seems to be keeping an even lower profile at the mo. Probably on his hols, expect we will see that pop up in the expenses next year.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Bill Ratcliffe (18th Jun 2009 - 23:06:23) It gets worse. Scrolling through the expenses on line I noticed that on 1 November 2007 James claimed £183.39 for a 'chain saw for logs'. How on earth can this be anything at all to to with James being an MP? This is not a case of bad rules but it is one of greedy people.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Mike Grimes (19th Jun 2009 - 01:07:22) Rhys, Everybody knows that when you are forced to spend a few nights away at your country estate (second home) it is always going to cost an extra £400 per month for food than if you had remained in your relative's spare bedroom (main residence). I'm really pleased that James has got himself a new house sign for £100.46 at our expense for the home he only needs to doss down in when on business. Will he claim for the "Dunfiddlin" one that he, presumably, now needs.

Re: MP expenses revealed - barbara (19th Jun 2009 - 11:24:04) There is also the added perk of our MPs not having the same tax rules as the rest of us. They have their own Taxation calculations which are different, probably means that they get away with paying income tax on their salaries. Isn't it time the euro MPs allowances and perks were published? I believe they are far more than our own MPs remunerations.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Finch (19th Jun 2009 - 12:50:36) This is daylight robbery/theft/deception and we should sack the bl**dy lot of them. Definition of "Banana Republic" from Wikipedia... Banana Republic is a pejorative term for a country that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small, self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique...a banana republic also typically has large wealth inequities, poor infrastructure, poor schools, a "backward" economy, low capital spending, a reliance on foreign capital and money printing, budget deficits, and a weakening currency. Banana republics are typically also highly prone to revolutions and coups. We fit about 30% of that definition, so ... Anyone up for leading a revolution. I am right behind you (as soon as my Financial Year ends !!). Something MUST BE DONE. Cheers, Finchie

Re: MP expenses revealed - Eneida (19th Jun 2009 - 14:32:14) The thing that's really made me angry is that this farcical, black-washed document has cost about £2M to produce and I suppose we're footing the bill for this too....it's just mickey taking IMO !!! BTW Finchie...I've already done the Banana Republic bit on the Delicious thread on May 11th...you really should keep up ;) Eneida

Re: MP expenses revealed - Allan (20th Jun 2009 - 01:17:48) I read with interest the petty claims revealed yesterday, in the midst of them was a claim for "chimney sweep" services from Alan Duncan, an open gay conservative m.p. What does he mean? The possibilities are frightening, to say the least. I think we should be told.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Paul Robinson (21st Jun 2009 - 10:58:19) This whole affair is ludicrous. Surely some minion in the Fees Office, having 'blacked out' practically everything of relevance thought to themselves, while piling up groaning heaps of receipts, "the public are never going to wear this!" Its just another example of this Government's ineptitude, when will they call it a day . . . and a General Election! Mind you they are doing wonders for my vocabulary. 'Quantitive Easing' and 'Redaction' are just two examples of which I was hitherto blissfully unaware. Having now learnt their meaning I hope never to have recourse to use them again. Paul Robinson

Re: MP expenses revealed - Bill Ratcliffe (21st Jun 2009 - 14:19:18) I suspect the independant Quango to be set up to monitor MPs expenses because no one can be trusted will also cost the Taxpayer millions of £s to run. The head of this body will no doubt be paid an astronomical salary for doing what most commercial operations do as part of their normal checks and balances. One bright spot, I understand that MPs will soon o longer be able to pay members of their family for not doing very much. This scandelous practice enabled MPs to keep our cash in their family while the services offered by their family members obviously fell well short of what was required to keep the MPs well briefed and on the straight and narrow.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Sophie (22nd Jun 2009 - 14:57:49) Jeremy Hunt is looking pretty good though. Quite disgraceful some of the things Mr Arbuthnot is claiming for.

Re: MP expenses revealed - Dick (23rd Jun 2009 - 20:15:43) It makes me bloody laugh. I have read all the comments on this thread and it's fair to say that all are absolutely disgusted with our MP. But come next year at the General Election, who do you think will win this seat...... Yep you've got it, Arbuthnot. Why ? Because he is Conservative, that's why. The electorate in our area do not vote for the man, they vote for the party, no matter how much of a crook he is. Am I right in thinking that Mr Arbuthnot reads these comments. Mmmmmmmmm, No response yet then....!!!

Re: MP expenses revealed - Paul Robinson (23rd Jun 2009 - 22:14:37) Whilst I might have phrased it differently, I have to say that Dick has a point. I believe that people in this area would vote for a blue cabbage if it stood for the seat. So are we surprised that James Arbuthnot has been conspcuous by his absence on this site? Whilst the Telegraph might have printed his grovelling apology he does not have to justify himself to us either now or at the general election. The numpties of North East Hampshire, aided and abetted by The Herald Newspaper Group, will rally to the blue rosette and the status quo will endure . . . or will it? Paul Robinson

Re: MP expenses revealed - Eneida (24th Jun 2009 - 09:06:43) There are going to be boundary changes at the next General Election and our prospective Conservative candidate will be Damian Hinds....so sorry Dick ....you'll not be able to vote for James after all ;)

Re: MP expenses revealed - Allan (24th Jun 2009 - 12:12:41) Eneida, Going of at a tangent a bit and recalling a previous subject you posted on, did you know that there is one party standing at the next election whose manifesto includes the intention to moderate the blanket ban on smoking in pubs, etc. Their argument is that a nominated smoking area with appropriate ventillation would keep everybody happy. How radical is that! Know who they are?

Re: MP expenses revealed - Eneida (24th Jun 2009 - 14:26:32) Well....would that be UKIP Allan??? I'm sure I've seen a photo of Nigel Farage smoking!! Very sensible idea....as I think I posted once before, they have these special smoking areas in some other EU countries, so I can't see any reason why we can't have them too. Eneida

Re: MP expenses revealed - Dick (24th Jun 2009 - 20:30:58) I'm beginning to think that a blue cabbage might be worth voting for, at least it will be cheaper on the expenses. So a boundary change brings in a new man.. Damien Hinds.. Has anybody any idea who this is. Oh well, never mind, lets all vote for him anyway. !!!

Re: MP expenses revealed - Rhys G (24th Jun 2009 - 20:50:12) Well, in today’s Petersfield Post, Mr Arbuthnot is quoted as saying “..I want the constituents of North East Hampshire to know that I am doing all that I can to regain their trust.” 2 quick points; 1) I don’t think you can ever regain my trust. You’ve stepped over the line and will never be able to make it back for me. 2) I have seen no evidence of you “doing all [you] can” to regain our trust. No replies on this website, no public meeting to explain your actions etc. So, Mr Arbuthnot, put your (our should that be our?) money where your mouth is…

Re: MP expenses revealed - Sue W (25th Jun 2009 - 10:13:22) If MP’s want to regain some credibility and are genuine in their wish to make amends - quite simple really. PAY IT ALL BACK!!!! Not just this years, but that of the last 5 minimum .

Re: MP expenses revealed - Finchie (25th Jun 2009 - 21:52:18) Just another perspective and in no way defends all the illegal cr@p that the MPs are claiming for, but I was reading today about our mayor BoJo and his taxi receipt claims. While he is a bumbling buffoon (so this is not a message of support for him - he is great on Have I Got News for You - but that is it !!). I do think it is a bit rich that the Press expect the Mayor of London to spend less than 4K per year travelling around London. Do we expect him to cycle everywhere ? That is 20 quid per working day to get around his large and congested patch. I think that is terrific value and at least he is not getting a permanent car and driver - which is what I would expect as the Mayor of London (and it would have to be a huge car with a blinking gert lady statue on the front, and huge windows, so I could wave at my people) !! In some instances we are losing perspective. Cheers, Finchie

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