BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home

Subject: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 04:15 AM

On 26th March 2009, on "Question Time", BBC1 an MP made a total hash of defending why, living 37 miles away from Parliament, the general public had to subsidise a second home for him. Its well worth watching how he demonstated just how out of touch he is with how the rest of us live. His bit starts 44 minutes into the program.

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 05:04 AM

The one who's been in the news is even worse, one home 8 miles away and the other 11, what an abuse of our money, the c**t.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: Megan L
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 05:06 AM

they have to have somewhere to take thier mistresses

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: DMcG
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 05:19 AM

I forgot the link to the programme.

You are right, Dave, that those who live even closer are worse, but I haven't heard them make such a mess of defending it. E.g. Eric Pickles claiming we had to pay the second home because he had to be there when the committees started, leaving Dimbleby the open goal of saying "Like a job?"

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 06:43 AM

I saw it and it did sound feeble.

However, I can sympathise with anybody who might have to get up at 5am to get to work on time, and quite often not finish until midnight.
Having travelled the width and breadth of the M25 as well as in and out of London, it is thoroughly knackering. I lived in Bracknell at the time.

In the end I used to drive to Woking to get the train (it is a very good connection and fast, unlike Bracknell to London). I hated the trains, dirty, standing up all the way, crushed like sardines.
Going into London by car was a no no (Traffic Jams, accidents that would add 2 to 3 hours on to your journey, never knowing if you would get to your appointmenton time). I had a car to die for (Scorpio Estate 2.9 all the mod cons) and it was a pleasure to drive it, but not when trying to get into London.

I am so happy I don't have to do that anymore.

So to some extent, I can see why it was probably better for him to have a place in London on those occasions.

However I cannot see any reason why anybody living vey close or inside London can justify it (e.g. 8 miles).

Soebody mentioned that maybe they should have dormetries available for the MP's. Well maybe soemthing like what they have at Universities, would be a good idea. No charge to the MP's, but no expenses paid out either for second homes. Surely that would be much cheaper.

Its a tough call. Maybe there should be a radius of so many miles from the centre of London, Lets say 30/40 miles minimum before an MP can apply for the allowance.

All I know, is I wouldn't like any MP's job :-)

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 07:08 AM

MP's should come from, and live in, their constituencies.
Serviced accomodation should be provided for those for whom commuting is out of the question, during the days parliament is in session.
There is nothing quite so disgusting as watching some party hopeful being parachuted into a constituency they have never even visited, in order that they may stand as their paliamentary candidate.
I think the most glaring example I can think of, is Sir Teddy Taylor, one of Maggie's darlings. Who having lost his Glasgow seat of Cathcart, to John Maxton in a Scottish, Tory wipeout, stood for, and was elected as, MP for Southend.
Well was he christened by the press, as a carpetbagger.

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 08:48 AM

What fat useless oaf Eric Pickles is, I can remember when he was a counsellor in Bradford, he got so excited in the presence of Margaret Hilda he nearly shot his load.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: UK MP on Question Time: second home
From: Rasener
Date: 27 Mar 09 - 12:12 PM

>>MP's should come from, and live in, their constituencies<<

Agreed, just like

Prime Ministers should be elected by the country by general elections, not co-opted in without an election.
In the event of the Prime Minister dying or resigning, then the new Stand In PM should be made to have a general election within 6 months of taking office.
Maybe the PM should be English for the houses of parliament.

I voted for Tony Blair, but I wouldn't have voted for Jimmy (Gordon) Brown.

Oh the chapel bells are ringing
In the houses of Parliament
And the song that they were singing
Was for good old Jimmy Brown

And the little congregation
Prayed for guidance from above
Please stop him being a banker
Cuase he's a proper w**k**
Our good old Jimmy Brown