MPs pay price for expenses row

3:40pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008

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JOHN LEWIS or Ikea? That seems to be the question on MPs’ lips.

And it is a tricky one to answer. Who does not like shopping at John Lewis? It is especially popular with residents in the leafier parts of Hertfordshire where some believe the term “credit crunch” is the name of a new breakfast cereal.

Ikea, however, is more of a day out. You can travel to Milton Keynes or Brent Cross and even the kids enjoy themselves. That is until you place the new computer table lengthways from the boot across their heads and into the view of your rear-view mirror.

So as you can see, MPs really do have a dilemma on their hands.

Mr Brown has been accused of turning the latter into the former, but at least those of us who pay for such niceties for our elected and seemingly unaccountable Members of Parliament can now rest easy in the knowledge that something finally appears to be getting done about those blasted expenses.

The Government's plans were drawn up in the wake of the vote by MPs to reject independent audits of claims and keep the “John Lewis list” of approved household goods that can be claimed at public expense.

You could ask: “What was the point of the vote then?” but Mr Brown, in desperate need of at least half a column inch of positive spin, had to act.

So quicker than an MP can say: “How will this chaise longue look in our third reception room?” our PM has acted.

Quick to gain from more Brown misery, serial bandwagon-jumper David Cameron sprung into action and demanded a Commons debate proposing a ban on the claiming of such household goods on expenses. Well Done David.

As a result they would only be able to claim for utility bills, council tax and rent/mortgage payments. Hurrah for David, he really is turning into a goliath.

Then he was asked about the 60 Tories claiming £40,000 each to employ relatives. Oh dear.

He has been vociferously defended by those saying that if it was not for his willingness to be more open this fact would not have come to light.

Oh right. That is okay then. He told us before the Sunday tabloids did. No problem, keep going David. Next time I burn the Sunday roast while watching the football I’ll tell Mrs Buhagiar before she smells the smoke and assume that I will not get a lecture.

And what about our very own Tory MP?

Last week we reported on the Sunday Telegraph’s article in which she was named with three other MPs receiving up to £24,000 in Additional Cost Allowances (ACAs). Why she was one of the four named is anyone’s guess, so we gave Mrs Main the chance to explain the findings, which revealed she claimed £22,000 in second home costs. She was rather defensive and said her second home “has been a matter of public knowledge ever since I was elected”.

Good for you Anne.

However following our article, our news desk was hit by a number of calls from her press officer, who was unhappy that we said: “named as one of only four in the same situation” rather than “one of four named”.

If it makes you feel better Anne, we are happy to set the record straight. Who knows, if you fight that point hard enough, members of the public might forget you claimed £22,000 for your second home.

However, in a bid to help Brown, Cameron, Mrs Main and every other MP in the country, I have an idea.

Scrap ACAs completely, find a nice plot in Greater London or even south Hertfordshire and build 646 bedsits for each MP.

After a General Election each MP can be given a room at Parliament Paradise Towers which comes complete with single bed, settee, television, kettle, toilet and a portrait of their glorious leader (although Labour MPs can opt for Tony Blair if they wish). What else do they need? Okay, maybe a microwave too.

At least we would then find out how committed our elected officials really are and I would guess we would also have the added bonus of them spending more time in their constituency.

The wall can be painted red, blue, yellow or green (and black for those independents) so if a hastily arranged by-election is called the colour can be changed instantly.

But in all seriousness MPs need to wake up and realise that their current expenses system is a joke and one that enrages further the vulnerable people they seek to defend, especially given the current financial climate. I wonder how the council workers who downed tools last week feel about the John Lewis list? What about police officers who still wait for a better pay offer? What about nurses who work double shifts to take home less than the amount an MP can claim in expenses for their second home? And how about the man who is looking to leave the job he loves because he can no longer afford the commute?

And yet MPs voted to keep such allowances and continue to help themselves. If MPs really want to help themselves – and gain the public’s respect and confidence – they should unite and ensure that this absurd allowance is binned.