MPs feel "hurricane" of anger over expenses
1:35pm Monday 18th May 2009 in News By Oliver Evans
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE MPs today said they had felt the “hurricane” of public anger over expenses – with one comparing the reaction to that following the death of Princess Diana.
Wycombe MP Paul Goodman and Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve said they had received angry emails and letters as the revelations about expenses gathered pace.
And Mr Goodman called for a general election for MPs to “account” to their constituents.
Neither have been included in The Daily Telegraph’s revelations.
Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan and Aylesbury MP David Lidington were this afternoon unavailable for comment.
Mr Goodman said: “The Daily Telegraph expenses stories have the force of a hurricane - and it's in the nature of hurricanes to devastate the guilty and innocent alike.
“During the past ten days, there's obviously been a increasing number of outraged e-mails and letters, and the mood in the constituency last weekend left me in no doubt that many people believe that all MPs are guilty - period.”
He said: “This mood reminds me in its force and scale of the period following the death of Princess Diana. “I hope that good comes out of it - that people now start to focus on what sort of Government and Parliament they want.”
Pushing out Commons speaker Michael Martin – who opposed the official release of the expenses details – would not be enough, he said.
Mr Goodman said: “We need a general election as soon as possible - so that each MP can give an account of himself to his constituents, including those, of course, who've been milking the system at best and committing fraud at worst.”
Last week Mr Goodman pledged to show Bucks Free Press an “uncensored” summary of his claims before censored claims are released by the Commons in June. The June release will block out some names and addresses.
His second home allowance – the centre of the national controversy - includes costs for a rented property in High Wycombe.
Mr Goodman said: “I want to provide as much detail as is reasonably possible for my constituents.” The uncensored list from the Daily Telegraph would “surely be made public” in due course, he said, allowing constituents to check that against the summary given to the BFP.
Dominic Grieve said he would be happy to show the Free Press his censored expenses before they were released by the Commons.
This would happen once the documents were returned to him by Conservative central office, which is going through all MPs’ claims, he said.
Mr Grieve said: “All these supporting documents and details are going to come out into the public domain and I would like to see that happen as soon as possible.”
Mr Grieve told Bucks Free Press: “I have certainly had letters and emails about the issue, particularly this weekend.”
Six emails were waiting to be read today, he said. “It doesn’t seem very large but bear in mind the biggest campaigns generate about 200.”
Mr Grieve said: “It is quite clear people are very angry and very upset. It is a serious crisis in confidence in our institutions.”
“At the same time, there is a need for a rational debate about what it is that MPs need to do their jobs properly.”
The second home allowance, until recently called the “Additional Costs Allowance”, allows MPs to claim for a second home and its food, utilities, cleaning and furnishings costs.
The latter has caused massive controversy as some MPs have claimed for expensive items to furnish their homes.
Mr Grieve said he only used his ACA – a maximum of £23, 057 in 2007/08 – for £1,535 a month rent, garden maintenance, utilities and council tax for his second rented home near Marlow.
He said: “I do think the rules are completely flawed, the rules need root and branch reform.”
Comments(27)
MadMoo
says...
2:33pm Mon 18 May 09
You ain't seen me
says...
2:55pm Mon 18 May 09
They are more like a **** in a Thunderstorm, rather than a Candle in the Wind!
Moat and Chandelier Alert
says...
3:31pm Mon 18 May 09
Moat and Chandelier Alert
says...
3:32pm Mon 18 May 09
Moat and Chandelier Alert
says...
3:32pm Mon 18 May 09
Moat and Chandelier Alert
says...
3:33pm Mon 18 May 09
NickNick
says...
4:22pm Mon 18 May 09
Plus ça change...
says...
4:47pm Mon 18 May 09
Grrrrrr...!
J B Blackett
says...
6:26pm Mon 18 May 09
Also
It has been rumoured and alleged that 'a certain newspaper' is in possession of a CCTV picture (in jpeg format) of the current Chesham MP preparing to pounce gleefully on a pensioner's meagre monthly income that was in wallet that he (a Chesham constituent) had inadvertently left 'lying around'
on top of his TV.
What nonsense ! Surely not !
The one printed previously is obviously NOT the said picture. One cannot even trust the Press now-a-days can one ?
On close examination that snap looked a bit edited, doctored and 'dog-eared'.
Like our MPs I am very suspicious of the British Press and what they are getting up to in these troubled times. One might say that Some Folk may be getting a tad paranoic about thing for reasons only They understand.
And Oh ! What a Silly Stupid Naive man to leave his wallet containing his only monies in such a vulnerable place!
He was asking for trouble !
There are such a lot of crooks, thieves and cheats about these days, are there not ?
And also; can this 'certain newspaper ' produce any kind of written or documented evidence at all of any of any of our MPs alleged financial
misbehaviour ?
Of Course Not.
I am sure their fellow politicians or associates would NOT allow that sort of behaviour to be permitted or go unpunished and would 'frown' severely on it in a disapproving manner.
It would beggar belief and destroy the enormous trust, respect and regard we hold them all in.
if this happened.
Please continue to display the true and deserved due deference as is expected towards our superiors, leaders and betters.
After all, You , the voter, put them where they are today.
Thank You
The Judge
says...
6:41pm Mon 18 May 09
THINK OF ROLE OF OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES AND WE IMMEDIATELY THINK OF THE WORDS - SELFLESS, HARD WORKING AND ABOVE ALL HAVING HEAPS OF INTEGRITY.
A POLITICIAN HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH HOLDING UP COMMON VALUES AND VOICING THOSE VALUES TO THE MASSES.
SADELY THESE WORDS HAVE BEEN ERASED BY THOSE WHO HAVE SOUGHT TO EXPLOIT A FLAWED EXPENSES SYSTEM.
THOSE POLITICIANS WHO HAVE SEEN FIT TO DISCREDIT THE VERY PROFESSION THAT THEY ELLUDED TO AS A CHILD.
THE JUDGE CALLS UPON HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN TO INTERVENE AT THIS CRITICAL DEMOCRATIC CROSSROADS AND DEMAND A FULL INQUIRY AS HER RIGHT AND TO REMOVE THOSE FROM OFFICE WHO HAVE FLAGRANTLY BROKE THE CARDINAL RULE OF PLACING ONES SUBJECTS BEFORE ONES' OWN GREED AND AVARICE. A GENERAL ELECTION IS DEMANDED.
THE JUDGE HAS SPOKEN.
erm
says...
7:10pm Mon 18 May 09
J B Blackett wrote:....what a load of old twaddle
Why has the picture of this MP been trimmed and edited so as not to show his distended stomach as previous snaps ? Also It has been rumoured and alleged that 'a certain newspaper' is in possession of a CCTV picture (in jpeg format) of the current Chesham MP preparing to pounce gleefully on a pensioner's meagre monthly income that was in wallet that he (a Chesham constituent) had inadvertently left 'lying around' on top of his TV. What nonsense ! Surely not ! The one printed previously is obviously NOT the said picture. One cannot even trust the Press now-a-days can one ? On close examination that snap looked a bit edited, doctored and 'dog-eared'. Like our MPs I am very suspicious of the British Press and what they are getting up to in these troubled times. One might say that Some Folk may be getting a tad paranoic about thing for reasons only They understand. And Oh ! What a Silly Stupid Naive man to leave his wallet containing his only monies in such a vulnerable place! He was asking for trouble ! There are such a lot of crooks, thieves and cheats about these days, are there not ? And also; can this 'certain newspaper ' produce any kind of written or documented evidence at all of any of any of our MPs alleged financial misbehaviour ? Of Course Not. I am sure their fellow politicians or associates would NOT allow that sort of behaviour to be permitted or go unpunished and would 'frown' severely on it in a disapproving manner. It would beggar belief and destroy the enormous trust, respect and regard we hold them all in. if this happened. Please continue to display the true and deserved due deference as is expected towards our superiors, leaders and betters. After all, You , the voter, put them where they are today. Thank You
Voyeur
says...
8:06pm Mon 18 May 09
If the rules were wrong, why not do the honourable thing and not claim all you can?
I think there were about half a dozen MPs who knew right from wrong and none of them are in Buckinghamshire.
If Paul Goodman MP lives in London why can't he simply catch the train from Marylebone to High Wycombe to visit his constituency office and then catch the train home again?
Why does he need an additional house in High Wycombe?
Would he have a second home in High Wycombe if the taxpayers were not picking up the bill?
I don't think so.
How does he explain that all his expenses were wholly , necessarily and exclusively required to perform his duties as a MP?
J B Blackett
says...
9:35pm Mon 18 May 09
Thou speakest truly on behalf of the Common Folke.
Thank You
George1
says...
10:17pm Mon 18 May 09
I think it will be proven that Paul is ONE GOOD MAN.
George1
says...
10:22pm Mon 18 May 09
LOCK UP the FIDDLERS.
Voyeur
says...
10:30pm Mon 18 May 09
But why is Goodman quoted as saying the rules are wrong - that they need root and branch reform?
If he has a late night sitting in the House, why does he need a second home in High Wycombe?
He is just on the gravy train there!
J B Blackett
says...
11:18pm Mon 18 May 09
However 2 of my sons both work in London, one in NHS, the other in business.
They too have sometimes have to work late unexpectedly. That's after starting at 9 am.
That means they get home around midnight.
For this neither of them get extra monies or are provided with supplementary housing or even permitted paid-for hotel accommodation.
I am sure there are thousands (millions even) of ordinary working people who just have to get on with life without all these perks, benefits and additional 'add-on' payments.
How can I expect my sons to understand that they are not as deserving as MPs when the work that they do would be seen by most as just as worthy (or more so) as that of one of our politicians ?
I certainly do not understand either only that most of the MPs interviewed keep repeating the mantra "The Rules Are Wrong"
Regards
Michael, HP7
says...
12:24am Tue 19 May 09
"Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan this afternoon unavailable for comment."
-----------------
Cherchez et chassez la chienne !!
SW : hate-trip
aug69
says...
12:25am Tue 19 May 09
Punchy
says...
8:09am Tue 19 May 09
Politics is all about contacts, you need those contacts to get shortlisted as a candidate for a constituency. You are then interviewed to become the candidate for the constituency and are are measured by what you are not rather than what you are. Simply being "safe" (no previous form with the police, not a womaniser, no recreational drug habits etc...) is often enough.
Paul fits the bill perfectly: wanted to be a priest, had a change of heart fell into journalism and politics and here you are.
Parliament is full of men like Paul. They don't actually know why they are there, they just fell into it. They all have manners, and that often wins the day against more combative opposition. They have the wherewithall to know of and wear cut back collars, but not the gusto to do anything about the paunch.
My view is that the day of the pleasanton in Parliament is numbered. We need more angry men fighting for beliefs rather than a comfortable way of life for themselves.
The Judge
says...
9:28am Tue 19 May 09
Punchy wrote:THE JUDGE CONCURS.
I have spoken to Paul Goodman over the years on a few occasions, in a number of different contexts. He does exemplify a number of things that are inherently wrong with our political system, at the same time he is not a disagreeable man.
Politics is all about contacts, you need those contacts to get shortlisted as a candidate for a constituency. You are then interviewed to become the candidate for the constituency and are are measured by what you are not rather than what you are. Simply being "safe" (no previous form with the police, not a womaniser, no recreational drug habits etc...) is often enough.
Paul fits the bill perfectly: wanted to be a priest, had a change of heart fell into journalism and politics and here you are.
Parliament is full of men like Paul. They don't actually know why they are there, they just fell into it. They all have manners, and that often wins the day against more combative opposition. They have the wherewithall to know of and wear cut back collars, but not the gusto to do anything about the paunch.
My view is that the day of the pleasanton in Parliament is numbered. We need more angry men fighting for beliefs rather than a comfortable way of life for themselves.
WELL PUT.
Plus ça change...
says...
3:14pm Tue 19 May 09
I can see the Weighing ceremony becoming quite a serious event again. As intended.
We shall be weighing everyone throughout the whole country!
'Madame La Weighing Machine' will be working 24/7.
Frogmoor will be renamed:
'Place de la Révolution mais sans fontaine - elle est en panne'.
****
'Hurricane' isn't a strong enough word.
Let's vote NOW!
George1
says...
7:51pm Tue 19 May 09
With so many international groups having varying terrorist based agendas our Members of Parliament have to be vulnerable.
Moat and Chandelier Alert
says...
10:42pm Tue 19 May 09
clarry
says...
10:13am Wed 20 May 09
J B Blackett
says...
12:33pm Wed 20 May 09
This flipping MP should identify with the voters and citizens of his constituency , not with the party machines, hacks and all the machinations that go on in London and elesewhere.
Also see George1's defence above where he says that Goodman is low down on the list of alleged fiddlers, fraudsters and cheats.
That argument does not give me any reassurance what so ever , I'm afraid.
Regards
irish john says...
2:09pm Mon 18 May 09