Comments on: MPs’ Expenses http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974 Every day the Prime Minister's Spokesman meets a small coterie of political journalists known as 'the lobby' for a topical chat, or 'briefing'. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:12:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Bob Lawson http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-6309 Bob Lawson Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:52:44 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-6309 As I heard an American commentator say a few weeks ago. People mainly get into government to do good, but stay there to do well! Even Blunkett, who, allegedly claimed travel expenses for someone he was not entitled to claim for, didn't lose much in the long term (except his job) Perhaps performance tables could be usefully drawn up before elections, so we can judge current encumbents' performance before voting. Bob Lawson. As I heard an American commentator say a few weeks ago. People mainly get into government to do good, but stay there to do well! Even Blunkett, who, allegedly claimed travel expenses for someone he was not entitled to claim for, didn’t lose much in the long term (except his job) Perhaps performance tables could be usefully drawn up before elections, so we can judge current encumbents’ performance before voting.

Bob Lawson.

]]> By: PapaLazzzaru http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-2525 PapaLazzzaru Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:26:29 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-2525 Perk of the job?!?! Perk of the job?!?!

]]> By: Les Stevenson http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-2524 Les Stevenson Thu, 30 Dec 2004 10:05:53 +0000 http://downingstreetsays.com/briefings/2004/10/21/974#comment-2524 I would like your justification for the scandalous situation whereby MPs can use taxpayers money for property speculation! Let me explain. An MP who entered parliament in 1992 could have bought a London flat on an interest only mortgage for less than \xA3100,000! They can then claim expenses from the taxpayer to cover the cost of the monthly repayment! After 10 years the flat has appreciated to a value of over \xA3500,000! It is then sold with the profit banked by the MP who can then either buy a new flat on the same basis or use the expenses to rent! This is not a hypothetical situation but is actually happening now! I am sure that the public are unaware of this further misuse of taxpayers money and would be far from happy with a situation where their MPs can effectively accumulate vast wealth at their expense! I would like your justification for the scandalous situation whereby MPs can use taxpayers money for property speculation! Let me explain.
An MP who entered parliament in 1992 could have bought a London flat on an interest only mortgage for less than \xA3100,000! They can then claim expenses from the taxpayer to cover the cost of the monthly repayment! After 10 years the flat has appreciated to a value of over \xA3500,000! It is then sold with the profit banked by the MP who can then either buy a new flat on the same basis or use the expenses to rent!
This is not a hypothetical situation but is actually happening now!
I am sure that the public are unaware of this further misuse of taxpayers money and would be far from happy with a situation where their MPs can effectively accumulate vast wealth at their expense!

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