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BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough
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Subject: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 11 May 09 - 04:41 AM What interesting times we live in. It seems that pigeons are finally coming home to roost at Westminster as we realise why MP's tried so hard to exclude their finances from being revealed by the Freedom of Information act, a battle they lost back in January despite dragging the matter through the courts and trying to change the law itself. Methinks the Members do protest too much? Now we know why. These political porkers have been stuffing their hodges for a long time now, so what should we do? My own MP simply ignores my emails on the subject but I'm going to make sure everyone turning up on my doorstep for the European and Local elections gets the opportunity to discuss their expenses. Any suggestions? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: VirginiaTam Date: 11 May 09 - 05:11 AM Instead of sending only emails (they often do not check them), send registered letter and indicate in the letter that you have sent copy to local newspapers which will be notified if you do not receive a reply within specified time. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,chris Date: 11 May 09 - 05:49 AM I think the main problem for me is that they all 'blame' the system. What happened to morality- just because they can rip off the system doesn't mean that they should. All this talk of 'within the rules' is just so much bullsh*it these are supposed to be 'respectable' citizens -our leaders!!!!!!!!! How on earth can they expect everyone else to be 'upright and law abiding' with these examples before us. So as well as having 'greedy bankers' we now see that we have 'greedy politicians' the trough is not going to be big enough. very disillusioned chris |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Lizzie Cornish 1 Date: 11 May 09 - 06:01 AM Sack them, Bring back the Stocks, strap 'em in and let the people show them exactly what they think of them. Show of Hands song from many years back, is still so fitting for today... "There are Cutthroats Crooks and Conmen running this jail Is there anything left in England that's not for sale?" (taken from 'Cutthroats Crooks and Conmen' by Steve Knightley) And of course, taken from Steve's 'Roots' "We've lost more than we'll ever know round the rocky shores of England" Oh God, haven't we *just*!! Bring in the real Queen of Hearts...."Off with their heads!" |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 11 May 09 - 06:18 AM "Instead of sending only emails (they often do not check them), send registered letter and indicate in the letter that you have sent copy to local newspapers which will be notified if you do not receive a reply within specified time." This is a good suggestion, except I've been writing to this chap for over 25 years and he simply ignores anything that he doesn't want to answer. Believe me - I've tried. He won't discuss any matter that questions his integrity (which is dubious), his personal beliefs (such as voting for capital punishment whilst claiming to be a good Christian), or any matter pertaining to the fact his wife tells racist jokes and he doesn't believe in climate change etc etc. Suffice to say as soon as I've had a look through his expenses when they are published I shall try again. The local newspaper meanwhile, is so far up his arse the editor could brush the guy's teeth from the inside, so no recourse there (it will publish the occasional letter of dissent but appears to retain an editorial policy of sucking up to the incumbent Member). But Chris does put his finger on the crux of the matter. All this might have been within the rules but to most people is of doubtful morality; there's claiming for expenses and there's taking the piss. One thing that bothers me is the complete lack of remorse shown by all the little piggies involved. Ed Miliband, the chubby permanently bewildered-looking brother of David and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Fudging was on the Andrew Marr show yesterday and simply trotted out the same old hackneyed lines despite Marr's best attempts to get the poltroon to show an ounce of remorse. They still don't get it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: greg stephens Date: 11 May 09 - 06:20 AM So, John Prescott gets paid money by his employers, and he uses it to buy toilet seats, or what he he needs/wants. Pretty much what happens to everyone down our street. Can't gather much of a froth of indignation about it, myself. Of course, if there is actual corruption or fiddling, deal with it in the proper way. Sack them. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Van Date: 11 May 09 - 06:37 AM Greg people down your street buy those things out of their earnings. The current problem is that John and his pals were paid to have a comfortable shit in addition to their salaries. Not an expense most employers would pay for and not one that would be allowed by HMRC. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Bryn Pugh Date: 11 May 09 - 06:39 AM What did he need two bog seats for, unless he's got two arseholes ? Just think - if it hadn't been for Jacqui Smith's husband getting rumbled for the claim for wanking movies, we'd all still be in blissful ignorance. Just because you can don't mean that you should. "What I did is within the rules". So, that's all right then ? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 11 May 09 - 06:57 AM "Just think - if it hadn't been for Jacqui Smith's husband getting rumbled for the claim for wanking movies, we'd all still be in blissful ignorance." Not really, as since January MP's have known their last four years of expense receipts were going to be made public (and they put in a fair bit of energy trying to stop this happening); they knew full well they'd been rumbled and a shitstorm was on the way and must have been dreading it. The revelations in the Torygraph are just the tip of the iceberg. If your MP isn't in the Cabinet or a Shadow Minister then you're going to have to wait to see until around July but I think we can be fairly sure one or two will loose their seats, although this is of course a cross-party problem from the most right-wing Tory toff to Sinn Fein refuseniks and all inbetween. I mean, why should we pay for dog food and horse-shit? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: VirginiaTam Date: 11 May 09 - 07:10 AM I still don't understand why Lord Hanningfield in Essex needs a London apartment. He lives in mid Essex for Chrissake. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,Dazbo at work Date: 11 May 09 - 08:34 AM and there's the MP who claimed £4000 for a new boiler because the old one made the water too hot!!! |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 11 May 09 - 09:21 AM From the Torygraph web site: Michael Martin: Speaker spent £1,400 on chauffeurs to his local job centre and Celtic Park Margaret Moran: Second home 'flip' paid £22,500 Barry Gardiner: £198,500 profit from a flat renovated with MPs' expenses Douglas Alexander spent more than £30,000 doing up his constituency home – which then suffered damage in a house fire. Vera Baird claimed the cost of Christmas tree decorations Greg Barker made a £320,000 profit selling a flat the taxpayer had helped pay for Margaret Beckett made a£600 claim for hanging baskets and pot plants Tony Blair re-mortgaged his constituency home and claimed almost a third of the interest around the time he was buying another property in London Hazel Blears claimed for three different properties in a year Ben Bradshaw used his allowance to pay the mortgage interest on a flat he owned jointly with his boyfriend Kevin Brennan had a £450 television delivered to his family home in Cardiff even though he reclaimed the money back on his London second home allowance Gordon Brown's house swap let the PM claim thousands Andy Burnham had an eight-month battle with the fees office after making a single expenses claim for more than £16,500 Stephen Byers claimed more than £125,000 for repairs and maintenance at a London flat owned outright by his partner, where he lives rent-free David Cameron limited his claims to mortgage interest payments and utility bills Ken Clarke had to be reminded frequently to submit receipts with his expenses Alistair Darling's stamp duty was paid by the public Pat Doherty, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew and Conor Murphy claimed more than £500,000 over five years even though the Sinn Fein MPs refuse to attend Parliament Alan Duncan spent thousands from his allowance on gardening, including repairs to his lawnmower Caroline Flint claimed £14,000 for fees for new flat Barbara Follett used £25,000 of taxpayers' money to pay for private security patrols at her home Cheryl Gillan bought dog food using her allowance but agreed to pay it back after being contacted by the Telegraph Michael Gove spent thousands on his London home before "flipping" his Commons allowance to another address Chris Grayling claimed for a London flat even though his constituency home is only 17 miles from the House of Commons John Gummer's gardening, including the removal of moles from his lawn, cost the taxpayer £9,000 Nick Herbert charged taxpayers more than £10,000 for stamp duty and fees when he and his partner bought a home together in his constituency Geoff Hoon established a property empire worth £1.7 million after claiming taxpayer-funded expenses for at least two properties Phil Hope spent more than £10,000 in one year refurbishing a small London flat Kelvin Hopkins claims just a fraction of the available second-home allowance by taking the train to Westminster from his home town Andrew Lansley spent more than £4,000 of taxpayers' money renovating his country home months before he sold it Oliver Letwin repaired a pipe beneath his tennis court using taxpayers' money Lord Mandelson faces questions over the timing of his house claim Michael Martin used taxpayers' money to pay for chauffeur-driven cars to his local job centre and Celtic's football ground Francis Maude claimed almost £35,000 in two years for mortgage interest payments on a London flat when he owned a house just a few hundred yards away David Miliband's spending was queried by his gardener Margaret Moran switched the address of her second home, allowing her to claim £22,500 to fix a dry rot problem George Osborne was rebuked by the Commons authorities for using public money to fund his "political" website Conor Murphy, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew, Pat Doherty and Gerry Adams claimed more than £500,000 over five years even though the Sinn Fein MPs refuse to attend Parliament Paul Murphy had a new plumbing system installed at taxpayers' expense because the water in the old one was "too hot" John Prescott claimed for two lavatory seats in two years John Reid used his allowance to pay for slotted spoons, an ironing board and a glittery loo seat Alex Salmond claimed £400 per month for food when the Commons was not even sitting Jack Straw only paid half the amount of council tax that he claimed on his parliamentary allowances over four years but later rectified the over-claim Kitty Ussher ansked the Commons authorities to fund extensive refurbishment of her Victorian family home Keith Vaz claimed £75,500 for a second flat near Parliament even though he already lived just 12 miles from Westminster Theresa Villiers claimed almost £16,000 in stamp duty and professional fees on expenses when she bought a London flat, even though she already had a house in the capital Shaun Woodward received £100,000 to help pay mortgage David Willetts, the Conservatives' choice for skills minister, needed help changing light bulbs Phil Woolas submitted receipts including comics, nappies and women's clothing as part of his claims for food Iain Wright and Tom Watson spent £100,000 of taxpayers' money on the London flat they once shared |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: skarpi Date: 11 May 09 - 01:51 PM poor mr brown ............. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,Fenton Date: 11 May 09 - 04:04 PM What they did was so wrong. How does it differ from a couple who decide to have three or four kids, not work, drink lager all day,live in a nice house which the government forks out the rent for and claims for everything that's going ? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 11 May 09 - 04:57 PM The rules that Westminster MPs are so quick to say they stayed within are of course rules that they themselves devised, and at a time when they expected their claims to remain hidden. Having said that, I am not at all interested in trivia such as loo seats. I should think quite a few of us have fiddled an expenses claim to that extent somewhere along the line. The overall cap was in any case £24k a year. Even with that amount added directly to their pay packets, it would not put them on wildly exhorbitant packages against current norms. Certainly it's peanuts when set against, say, bonuses in the financial sector. It wasn't a smart idea, but the expenses system was seen as a backdoor way of ensuring an appropriate level of remuneration at a time when MPs' official pay was being pegged. The serious issue here is the exploitation of the system for capital gains. For instance Sugarfoot Jack's list accuses Hazel Blears only of claiming for three properties in a year, which in itself would not be so extraordinary. (There is no suggestion that she owned all three at one time or exceeded the £24k ceiling.) Her real crime - and if it isn't a crime, it should be - was that she avoided the 40 per cent tax she should have paid on a significant capital gain. She did that by making one of her properties her secondary home for expenses purposes and making the same property her primary home for tax-avoidance purposes. Others used expense claims to fund property transactions that earned them handsome profits. Capital gains such as these have in some cases been enormous and are outside the £24k cap. With any luck a few MPs at least will have caught a cold in the weakening property market. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 11 May 09 - 05:12 PM How does it differ from a couple who decide to have three or four kids, not work, drink lager all day,live in a nice house which the government forks out the rent for and claims for everything that's going ? For one thing, even if that stereotype held water (which it doesn't), bent MPs would have ripped us all off for far far more, one way or another. But I think it's true enough to say that it's not a matter of MPs being any more liable to cheat and steal than other people. They are a cross section of the populus in this way at least - there is always going to be a pretty sizeable proportion of people in any crowd who will take everything they can lay their hands on, if they think they can get away with it. And they did think they could get away with it. To have national media journalists come across as if they all had clean hands in this respect is a real laugh. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,Fenton Date: 11 May 09 - 06:50 PM McGrath of Harlow, time to open the window and look outside mate, it en't no stereotype, there are three estates close to me in Manchester and NO ONE works in them. Mobility cars are being used as taxi's ! The local paper highlighted it recently. Please don't dismiss it as guff, it's widespread, maybe not on your doorstep. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Richard Bridge Date: 11 May 09 - 07:13 PM Fenton, just do the arithmetic, if you can count. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Eric the Viking Date: 11 May 09 - 07:27 PM Hey Fenton. When the government forks out the rent for the stereotypical groups you have described then it's OUR money, yours included unless you avoid paying any form of taxation. The government only has OUR money to play with or build trident with etc. When MP's who are already getting a good screw, plus perks, second jobs,travel expenses etc and THEN seriously abuse the expense system as they have been doing for years then it's OUR money they are doing it with. Just read the list and see how much some of these bastards have got away with over the years of OUR money,now theirs and compare it with how much your average stereotypical couple get in housing benefit, unemployment and other forms of support. I've yet to find an estate even in Manchester, Mosside, Salford or anywhere where no one works. You've been watching too much Shameless !! Even the estate they film that on has plenty of people in work. But that's beside the point. MP's are elected by us in good faith, hoping that they will do whatever they can to improve the lot of the electorate. They should know better because they are in a priveleged position, they should act better because they are in a priveleged position and make the rules that bind the rest of us. They should act better because they are so quick to deride the rest of us. Peter K is right, as is often the case. You tell me which layabout, non working, "sponger" manages to make thousands of pounds out of the system, cos I'd like to shake his hand. By the way, most of "them", the unwaged do not live in nice houses or nice areas. Their housing is invariably poor, the estates usually run down and they have poor skill levels, low motivation and often poor self image making them vunerable to illness, shortened life and poor lifestyle choices.(It wasn't so long ago that the people of Salford had the shortest life span in Britain) UNLIKE MP's who seem to have two, three or four houses in the best places, have a high opinion of themselves and an even better chance of screwing the system. WITH OUR MONEY. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,Fenton Date: 11 May 09 - 07:40 PM Clearly two red flag wavers ! |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Richard Bridge Date: 11 May 09 - 10:24 PM Fenton, I don't live "near" some sink estates. I live in Lower Stoke, locally referred to as "Lower Coke". The other night the karaoke operator was calling the next singer - a girl called Charlotte. "Charlie, Charlie, I'm looking for Charlie". Cue wit at the bar "So's every other cunt in Lower Coke". The living is not good, for alkies on the dole. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Eric the Viking Date: 12 May 09 - 04:50 AM Which two? Me? Richard Bridge, McGrarth or Peter K? Because I would be proud to associated with people who have care and compassion, who don't always put themselves first and think of the lot of their fellow mankind. Because no matter what, there is only one human species and one (at the moment as far as we can see for the predictable future) planet. Once we get greed and exploitation out of the way, then we may really make progress as a species. Much of the present policy and social decline started under a different colour flag than red ! Whilst it's true that the petty larceny and corruption of the town hall clerk, the trade union leader and shop steward has in the past been less than ideal, you've got to look to the right wing to see how it's been done big time for years and years, decades and centuries. They, the rich and powerful have set the table for the rest of us to follow with big time insider dealing, tax evasion, offshore accounts etc. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Bryn Pugh Date: 12 May 09 - 04:59 AM As I understand it, the basic screw for the bog-standard MP is £64 grand a year. If they can claim for board and lodging, housing, food, drink, dog food, bath plugs, Tampax and wanking films (sorry about his juxtaposition !) swimming pools, housekeeper's wages, thatched rooves, packets of sweeties, horse shit (that should come free IYAM) WHAT THE FUCK DOES THE 64 GRAND GO ON ? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: bubblyrat Date: 12 May 09 - 05:56 AM If this is what is going on at Westminster,how much worse must it be in Brussels ?? Not as if England has any representation there,as there are no English MEPs : Scottish MEPs, yes,Welsh represntatives,naturally,Northern Irish MEPs,probably (as far as I know),but no English MEPs,as Europe does not recognise England as country in its own right ---I wonder how many Americans realise that England does not officially exist ?? My point being that,since all the other politicians in Europe have their noses deep in the trough of European Parliament corruption,the English,being denied this relief,probably feel justified in indulging in a few fiddles of their own.Of course,this does not justify the disgraceful behaviour of the other "nationalities" represented at Westminster,especially the Scottish,who have a disproportionate ( and illegal) number of MPs installed there ;however,it would have been nice to think that the English "Honourable Members" could at least have set a decent example------which they patently have NOT !! |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: The Barden of England Date: 12 May 09 - 06:22 AM Guest FENTON - once again another guest who is afraid to own up to who he/she is. And of course then accuses other people of being red flag wavers - why am I not surprised. Where's your proof Guest FENTON? I'll tell you something. I was made redundant on 2nd February this year with no payout and no warning - I was an agency worker who had been at a well known Telecoms company for over 14 years. I am at present getting £64 per week Job Seekers Allowance AND THAT IS IT!!! With a mortgage to pay, food to buy and insurances to keep going how the HELL can I afford all the lager you spout off about. You are an IDIOT!! Believe what your right wing cronies would have you to believe - I know what the truth really is. And what's more I don't hide behind a Guest sign in. John Barden |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Richard Bridge Date: 12 May 09 - 09:59 AM Take a pill, rat. It is wholy false to say that England does not officially exist. Try reading some constitutional law. JB. Well said. But look on the bright side, I'm sure that Fenton will advise you to have a fresh brood of children, so you can claim for them, and maybe he will supply the nubiles for the purpose. Have you however taken advice on the acquired rights directive? If you were with the same agency for the same user of your services for that long you may have entitlements. May I refer you to a barrister friedd of mine in Maidstone who may help? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 12 May 09 - 10:13 AM It's a bit tangential, but I assume that bubblyrat was making the point (not sure why) that England is not recognised by the international community and has no specific status within the UK. If so, he was right. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Dave the Gnome Date: 12 May 09 - 02:25 PM So, what is the big surprise? These are Women who seriously believe that they can run other peoples lives; Men who believe that spending money on war is preferable to spending it on the poor; People who really believe that they know better than everyone else. Yet we all act like it is news that they cannot understand basic morality? Come on. Get a grip. These are certifiable lunatics that we are dealing with and we have put them in charge. Anarchy - The true alternative! DeG |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Nigel Parsons Date: 12 May 09 - 03:11 PM For the musical view on this I've posted UK Politics 101 Not quite a song challenge, but feel free to add ... |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Richard Bridge Date: 12 May 09 - 04:44 PM Err - no, Peter. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Terry McDonald Date: 12 May 09 - 04:55 PM Err, no Richard. Bubblyrat's point is valid - the EU had the United Kingdom divided up (like every other member state) into 'regions.' Three our ours are called Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The rest are called by historic and romantic names such as 'South East' and 'North West.' You can play the 'there is English law, therefore there is an England' card as much as you like, but as far as international 'inter-governmental' bodies are concerned there is no 'England.' |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Terry McDonald Date: 12 May 09 - 04:56 PM Sod it! 'had' should read 'has.' |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Richard Bridge Date: 12 May 09 - 09:21 PM None of that validates the statement "England is not recognised by the international community and has no specific status within the UK" |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,The Barden of England sans cookie Date: 13 May 09 - 03:17 AM Oooer - I do know that the money's almost worthless, but does that mean that all those pieces of paper with 'The Bank of England' printed on them don't have a country to belong to, nor poor old St. George, nor the cricket and football teams? John Barden |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Terry McDonald Date: 13 May 09 - 03:20 AM OK, give me an example of where 'the international community' (by which I mean organisations made up of the governments of nation states)recognises the existence of 'a place called England.' (Great title for a song, though.......) |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 13 May 09 - 03:44 AM Thread drift? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: The Barden of England Date: 13 May 09 - 03:55 AM Do Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have embassies in the United States of America I wonder? John Barden |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Backwoodsman Date: 13 May 09 - 04:58 AM if England actually existed..........................?? Or does it? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Mr Happy Date: 13 May 09 - 07:52 AM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPs%27_expenses_row |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 13 May 09 - 08:47 AM "None of that validates the statement "England is not recognised by the international community and has no specific status within the UK" There is some validity in the assertion that England, as a sovereign state, does NOT exist. We have a Scottish representative of a Scottish constituency as our prime minister, and, when we ask why he is not doing his thing in his own country (and I HAVE asked my MP for an explanation), we are told that Westminster is the seat of the United Kingdom parliament. On enquiring as to the whereabouts of the ENGLISH parliament, I was told "It's the same thing". IT'S NOT!! There is NO parliamentary body which looks after the sole interests of the English People If there is a conflict of opinion which gives advantages to other regions (Free prescriptions in Wales; Free University tuition in Scotland), England loses out. The Welsh Assembly looks after the Welsh. Stormont takes care of the Northern Irish. The Scottish parliament administers Scottish affairs. Westminster gives away the sovereignty of the United Kingdom to Brussels, while at the same time stealing the taxpayer blind. But WHO gives a flying F**K about the English. NOBODY!! Don T. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 13 May 09 - 10:48 AM Sorry about the thread drift but Richard is mistaken. He knows I can't prove a negative but if he has evidence that invalidates my point perhaps he would share it or PM me. I'm interested. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: cobra Date: 14 May 09 - 02:43 AM "But WHO gives a flying F**K about the English. NOBODY!!" Correct! A gold star for that man. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,Alex Date: 14 May 09 - 05:04 AM Well said cobra. They have proven to be rotten to the core yet again. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Stu Date: 14 May 09 - 06:55 AM "Well said cobra. They have proven to be rotten to the core yet again." Well, it's not just English MPs with their noses in the trough you useless tosser. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Backwoodsman Date: 14 May 09 - 08:31 AM What's pissing me off right royally is the way those grabbing, avaricious bastards are now 'apologising' for claiming these huge amounts 'by mistake', and announcing that 'as soon as they realised their 'mistake' they offered to pay the money back'. They're a shower of lying bastards. What sort of dozy twat claims £16k 'by mistake' for interest on a mortgage he's already paid off? I'll tell you - a crooked fraudster, a con-man, a thief. This lot are crooks, rogues and thieves. If a checkout girl at Tesco took a fiver out of the till, it would be classed as Gross Misconduct and she would be fired. Why aren't those deceitful, dishonest, lying bastards suffering the same fate? And why aren't they being prosecuted? A shoplifter can't wriggle out of prosecution by handing back the goods he's stolen, why should it be any different for those shits in Westminster? The world's going f***ing mad. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Rapparee Date: 14 May 09 - 11:28 AM My view from the left side of the pond is simple: Why in the world should this surprise anyone anywhere? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Eric the Viking Date: 14 May 09 - 02:48 PM I see guest Fenton has gone exceeding quiet especially now that the tory's are getting just as big (if not bigger when it all comes out) pasting.Probably hiding in some dark corner counting ill gotten gains. I saw that smarmy bastard from the Scottish Lib dems, Tavish Scott on TV tonight. I think he thinks he's getting away with it ! And I wonder if the SMP's feel the grip tightening on their collars? It's yet to come out big time but smaller parties like the BNP, Plaid,Sinn Fein, Democratic Unionist Party for example will also have their fears and "mistakes" I bet. Those MP's who made "mistakes", should have their DNA taken in case they are ever given any expense claim forms again!(personally I'd like to see them in the stocks so we can have our say about them and to them, then sacked) They can not say that they could not see the morality of their claims even if they felt they were legitimate, especially as they lay so many unjust and unessesary burdens upon the population. Claiming for a mars bar, how petty, and of course making hundreds of thousands from the taxpayer by buying, selling and flipping at the other extreme. They will of course get away with it and we will of course continue to pay.They are, as I've felt for a long time corrupt The problem is, who to vote for now? Do you stick to the politician? The party? Who is the alternative? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: Bonzo3legs Date: 14 May 09 - 03:21 PM < Michael Martin: Speaker spent £1,400 on chauffeurs to his local job centre and Celtic Park Margaret Moran: Second home 'flip' paid £22,500 Barry Gardiner: £198,500 profit from a flat renovated with MPs' expenses Douglas Alexander spent more than £30,000 doing up his constituency home – which then suffered damage in a house fire. Vera Baird claimed the cost of Christmas tree decorations Greg Barker made a £320,000 profit selling a flat the taxpayer had helped pay for Margaret Beckett made a£600 claim for hanging baskets and pot plants Tony Blair re-mortgaged his constituency home and claimed almost a third of the interest around the time he was buying another property in London Hazel Blears claimed for three different properties in a year Ben Bradshaw used his allowance to pay the mortgage interest on a flat he owned jointly with his boyfriend Kevin Brennan had a £450 television delivered to his family home in Cardiff even though he reclaimed the money back on his London second home allowance Gordon Brown's house swap let the PM claim thousands Andy Burnham had an eight-month battle with the fees office after making a single expenses claim for more than £16,500 Stephen Byers claimed more than £125,000 for repairs and maintenance at a London flat owned outright by his partner, where he lives rent-free David Cameron limited his claims to mortgage interest payments and utility bills Ken Clarke had to be reminded frequently to submit receipts with his expenses Alistair Darling's stamp duty was paid by the public Pat Doherty, Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew and Conor Murphy claimed more than £500,000 over five years even though the Sinn Fein MPs refuse to attend Parliament Alan Duncan spent thousands from his allowance on gardening, including repairs to his lawnmower Caroline Flint claimed £14,000 for fees for new flat Barbara Follett used £25,000 of taxpayers' money to pay for private security patrols at her home Cheryl Gillan bought dog food using her allowance but agreed to pay it back after being contacted by the Telegraph Michael Gove spent thousands on his London home before "flipping" his Commons allowance to another address Chris Grayling claimed for a London flat even though his constituency home is only 17 miles from the House of Commons John Gummer's gardening, including the removal of moles from his lawn, cost the taxpayer £9,000 Nick Herbert charged taxpayers more than £10,000 for stamp duty and fees when he and his partner bought a home together in his constituency Geoff Hoon established a property empire worth £1.7 million after claiming taxpayer-funded expenses for at least two properties Phil Hope spent more than £10,000 in one year refurbishing a small London flat Kelvin Hopkins claims just a fraction of the available second-home allowance by taking the train to Westminster from his home town Andrew Lansley spent more than £4,000 of taxpayers' money renovating his country home months before he sold it Oliver Letwin repaired a pipe beneath his tennis court using taxpayers' money Lord Mandelson faces questions over the timing of his house claim Michael Martin used taxpayers' money to pay for chauffeur-driven cars to his local job centre and Celtic's football ground Francis Maude claimed almost £35,000 in two years for mortgage interest payments on a London flat when he owned a house just a few hundred yards away David Miliband's spending was queried by his gardener Margaret Moran switched the address of her second home, allowing her to claim £22,500 to fix a dry rot problem George Osborne was rebuked by the Commons authorities for using public money to fund his "political" website Conor Murphy, Martin McGuinness, Michelle Gildernew, Pat Doherty and Gerry Adams claimed more than £500,000 over five years even though the Sinn Fein MPs refuse to attend Parliament Paul Murphy had a new plumbing system installed at taxpayers' expense because the water in the old one was "too hot" John Prescott claimed for two lavatory seats in two years John Reid used his allowance to pay for slotted spoons, an ironing board and a glittery loo seat Alex Salmond claimed £400 per month for food when the Commons was not even sitting Jack Straw only paid half the amount of council tax that he claimed on his parliamentary allowances over four years but later rectified the over-claim Kitty Ussher ansked the Commons authorities to fund extensive refurbishment of her Victorian family home Keith Vaz claimed £75,500 for a second flat near Parliament even though he already lived just 12 miles from Westminster Theresa Villiers claimed almost £16,000 in stamp duty and professional fees on expenses when she bought a London flat, even though she already had a house in the capital Shaun Woodward received £100,000 to help pay mortgage David Willetts, the Conservatives' choice for skills minister, needed help changing light bulbs Phil Woolas submitted receipts including comics, nappies and women's clothing as part of his claims for food Iain Wright and Tom Watson spent £100,000 of taxpayers' money on the London flat they once shared>>> So what's that..........3-1 to the labour scum? |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: cobra Date: 14 May 09 - 05:01 PM "So what's that..........3-1 to the labour scum? " LOLSER! And still they look to score cheap (geddit!) party political points. FFS wise up will ya Bonzo DooDa. There is no mileage in trying to analyse this corruption on a party political basis. However, if you insist, I will certainly be dragging up the Tory sex scandals - remember them? Gay, hetero, orgy, brown envelopes in Victoria station. Remember them? Not to mention the odious Markie Thatcher. Criminal son of a criminal mother. Nepotism rules innit. Oh and then we have Portillo, Aitken, Archer et al. Care to revise your scorecard? Best if you let it go, I am thinking. But, 'appen you want to, why not total the costs on a party basis. I will see your washing macj=hine and raise you a underground heated tennis court repair. Or, for that matter, tampax and garden furniture for a new set of curtains. G'wan, you know you wanna. Have a nice day matey. |
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Subject: RE: BS: UK Politicians: Noses deep in the trough From: GUEST,eric the viking Date: 14 May 09 - 05:43 PM BBC news;Lists 31 labour. 26 Tory.6 Lib dems.5 Sinn Fein. 2 SNP. There will be others. Bonzo3legs can't count !! And if you think a thieving crook of a tory is a better class of scum than a thieving crook of a labour MP scum then you have a social problem with the inability to distinguish right from wrong. Andrew Mackay;"The details show that Mr MacKay and his wife, fellow Conservative MP Julie Kirkbride, have effectively been claiming the second home allowance for mortgage interest payments on two properties - one in London and one in the Midlands. Mr MacKay claimed more than £1,000 a month for interest payments on a joint mortgage for their London home while Ms Kirkbride claimed £900 for mortgage interest on her constituency home in Bromsgrove. The arrangements suggested neither had a first home. Parliamentary data show the couple have claimed 98% of the money available to them via the second homes allowance since 2004." Two for the price of one !! Bonzo3legs try this for size before you start trying to distort figures.This in simple terms is how the house is made up. There will be more Labour MP's than Tory because there are MORE labour MP's than tory...Even you with your inability to count will understand this. State of the parties at 21 November 2008 for a full list of who spends what try this;http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8044207.stm |
