NOSES IN THE TROUGH...

Anyone who doubts that the political class are akin to pigs with their snouts in the financial trough of taxpayer largesse should reflect on the news that  Jack Straw, the Leader of the Commons, will propose handing every MP a communications allowance - which could be worth around £10,000 a year. MPs are expected to approve the plans, which are set to cost taxpayer's more than £6.5m a year and then agree how much to pay themselves in meetings behind closed doors.

I fully agree with th observation that  Straw's proposals are an admission of failure by Commons authorities who have seen postage expenses serially abused by Labour MPs in marginal constituencies - who have been accused of spending taxpayers' money on party propaganda.

Eighteen Labour MPs spent more than £10,000 on postage last year and 11 of them were fighting to save their seats. Under the plans, all MPs will get the 'communication allowance' for newsletters and other political information on top of the existing postage allowance.The amount they can spend on postage will then be capped at £7,000. However most MPs will just claim the maximum allowance, meaning the total bill could rise to around £17,000 for each MP, rather than saving money.

And of the 20 MPs who claimed more than £10,000 in postage costs, who are the WORST offenders?

1. Andrew Dismore, Labour, Hendon, £25,146 -

2. Siobhain McDonagh, Labour, Mitcham & Morden, £22,339.

3. Bill Rammell, Labour, Harlow, £18,267.

4. Liam Byrne, Labour, Birmingham Hodge Hill, £18,212.

5. Jacqui Smith, Labour, Redditch, £16,458,

Socialism in action - spend spend spend - just so long as it is someone else's money.

Comments

[Sean Fear]

The intention behind it is to shore up the position of incumbent (mainly Labour) MPs, while trying to limit the spending power of their opponents by introducing caps on spending outside of elections.

[David Vance]

Sean,

I agree - but will the Conservatives vote against this and demand a "far-reaching" enquiry into the abuse of taxpayer funds by a profligate administration - or just pocket the gains?

[Ranger1640]

Typical Tony B,lire Screw the People and the Poor New Labour stunt.

I hope at the next election the anthem will be Bye Bye Labour, Labour Goodbye!

This country needs to stop politicians getting their greedy noses in the trough and also stop politicians taking up chairmanships. If running the country is so important then it should be a full-time job and cut their holidays.

[Richard Carey]

Ranger,

you say that you want to stop politicians taking chairmanships, by which I guess you mean outside paid work in general.

The result of that is more career politicians, surely, which is the last thing we need. If politicians are like pigs at the trough, it won't improve things to insist that only the tax payer provides the swill.

[aileen]

Richard.

I used to think like Ranger, re being an MP being a full time job. I now agree with you.

[British Patriot]

Bit off topic I know but, Perhaps not but it all looks like Communism to me, and may be backed up by Sharia Law.

Are they Lying to us.
Have the EUrocrats forgotten to tell us ALL of their Dastardly Plans.
What better way for an EU Soviet Police State to control its
Population than getting rid of Christianity and replacing it with Sharia Law.
http://bfbwwiii.blogspot.com/2007/10/frankfurt-subversion.html
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/blog/_archives/2007/10/3/3269034.html

http://bfbwwiii.blogspot.com/2007/10/ludicrous-diversion.html
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3664960863576873594&hl=en-GB
http://diagnosisnfi.wordpress.com/2007/09/09/diagnosis-rip/#comment-21000
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/865

Could the reason the Socialists want to have an Elected Lords be to get rid of the
Bishops who have an automatic seat.
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/blog
Our Elite Are QUITE Prepared to DECLARE WAR ON their OWN PEOPLE, what was it Jack Straw said.
Oh Yes, the British are not worth saving as a race.
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/15991/How-the-Government-has-declared-war-on-white-English-people
It's completely illegal, Our rights PREDATE Parliament.
http://www.britsattheirbest.com/freedom/f_your_own_choice.htm
http://thewestminsternews.co.uk/
http://www.eutruth.org.uk
The curse of Political Correctness
http://www.capc.co.uk/
http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=186&Itemid=68
http://www.capc.co.uk/Petition%20Form.pdf
http://thejournal.parker-joseph.co.uk/blog/_archives/2007/10/3/3269034.html

http://britanniaradio.co.uk/?q=node/2
Here is Europol, Military Transnational Police with Diplomatic Immunity NOW.
http://nuke.eurogendfor.eu/Miscellaneous/Gallery/Eurogend20051June2005/tabid/71/Default.aspx
http://www.ukip.org/ukip/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=57
Internet Shut down. , presumably health, Enforced Bankruptcy.Denial of Public services ? Health care ?
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2007/10/italys-plan-to-shut-down-internet.html#readfurther
http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node

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