Minister publishes full expenses

Tanko Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 03:57:49 PM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Just heard that the Telegraph is running a short piece today on local government minister John Healey's decision to make his parliamentary expenses publicly available. Haven't seen the Telegraph itself but some quick searching around points to the original story - from a week or so ago in what I think is Healey's local paper:



http://www.thestar.co.uk/rotherham/MP-reveals-details-of-expenses.4326497.jp

I know we had the 'John Lewis list' debate recently but perhaps Labourhome.org could run a campaign to get more of our MPs to do the same? Given the animosity directed towards the Government/Party at the moment, making some headway on what will in time become compulsory cannot be a bad thing can it? Being bold and all that...


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Minister publishes full expenses | 6 comments (6 topical)

Re: Government minister publishes expenses (#1)

by Floating voter on Fri Aug 08, 2008 at 05:36:55 PM GMT

It is an incredibly sensible thing to do. Let's face it - if MPs knew that their expenses would be scruntinised in detail then even that idiot Derek Conway would still have a job because it would be known that any abuse of the system would be picked up immediately. He would not have bunged money to his son that he has to pay back and he loses his job at the next election. Stupid!

It is simply idiotic for MPs not to want their expenses publicly examined. I have no difficulty with them removing their personal addresses from such material, but freely open publication like this can only help politicians of all parties.

Many journalists are waiting to get their hands on the expenses of the former MP for Glasgow East -  I'll bet that Michael Crick will be the first in the queue for that one....


Re: Minister publishes full expenses (#2)

by RupturedToad on Sat Aug 09, 2008 at 11:42:08 PM GMT

Healey is spot on in what he says: "I'm not required to publish, but this is public money and I think people should be able to see the details for themselves".

If others were to follow his lead it would, I think, do us some good.  

However, given the self-interested voting over the years on MP expenses, remuneration and pension rights I don't hold out any great hope. 


Re: Minister publishes full expenses (#3)

by billyblackmore on Sun Aug 10, 2008 at 07:43:19 PM GMT

This is a positive move - let's hope the government gets behind making this compulsory.  As soon as the media/public gets full access to these expenses, they'll lose all interest anyway.


Re: Minister publishes full expenses (#4)

by adwilliams134 on Thu Aug 14, 2008 at 04:52:41 PM GMT

The expenses thing is not going to go away.  It's corrupt.

Noone would have a problem IF at the end of their tenure as an MP, the second home was flogged and any profit plus the allowance was paid back.   Also anything off the 'John Lewis' list,  which incidentally is public property,  was auctioned off or even given away to charity.

But none of this happens does it.  The now out of work former MP keeps the lot and that is unacceptable.

As I said on another post, there is plenty of unused MoD land around London and plenty of unised MoD property.  Convert it into fully furnished flats and just give them a food allowance and a railcard.  Easier to guarentee their security as well.


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Re: Minister publishes full expenses (#5)

by Redmoon1 on Fri Aug 15, 2008 at 10:02:48 AM GMT

adwilliams - what are you on?  If we start arbitrarily punishing politicians like this we only send out a statement that politics is a dirty business, when it's not.  Healey has done something commendable - as long as we have the same transparency from everyone, the problem will be solved without any need for your magical 'disused MoD land'.


Re: Minister publishes full expenses (#6)

by adwilliams134 on Mon Aug 18, 2008 at 12:34:00 PM GMT

Why would allocating MPs purpose built flats/apartments rent-free for the period of their being an MP, in a secure environment, with all the maintainance and utility bills taken care of,  be regarded as a punishment?

Do you think it's acceptable that they continue to snout-dip?

Do you seriously believe that you are ever going to get transparency?  Especially when you consider the changes Harman made to the Freedom Of Information regarding this just before recess.

That my is my money and I demand the right to know what they are spending it on, down to the last penny.   If a company ran it's expenses the way Parliament does they'd get prosecuted and quite rightly so.


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Minister publishes full expenses | 6 comments (6 topical)