tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1184009505158768365..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: How You Can Help Persuade MPs to Do The Right ThingIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-12309009993648505152009-01-21T09:28:00.000+00:002009-01-21T09:28:00.000+00:00My MP replied to say he will be voting against the...My MP replied to say he will be voting against the Order tomorrow.Wallensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338735499450936880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-4293635336859216872009-01-20T14:26:00.000+00:002009-01-20T14:26:00.000+00:00I emailed my MP at 14:13, asking if he would be th...I emailed my MP at 14:13, asking if he would be there for the vote. <BR/><BR/>I received a reply at 14:16 saying "you bet"!weggishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04651722712995395981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-47567671754552397762009-01-20T13:37:00.000+00:002009-01-20T13:37:00.000+00:00No one seems to be asking if suppliers involved in...No one seems to be asking if suppliers involved in those expenses will be happy to have those receipts on public record ?The Loudmouthmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15349202252879237941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-51868040286029099232009-01-20T13:01:00.000+00:002009-01-20T13:01:00.000+00:00I have emailed my MP, first time I have ever done ...I have emailed my MP, first time I have ever done so. The early day motion is useful as it highlights the key points in the Order, for those MPs who've not seen it yet.<BR/><BR/>I have asked my MP (conservative) to confirm that even if the Order passes into law he will voluntarily publish his expenses.Wallensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02338735499450936880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10229696848189600172009-01-20T11:27:00.001+00:002009-01-20T11:27:00.001+00:00I wrote to my local tory mp requesting him to vote...I wrote to my local tory mp requesting him to vote against the motion on Thursday. I have had a reply that he does not yet know the details of the motion but in principal he is against. My own view is that if this motion gets passed, Cameron on the day he becomes PM should insist that all tory mps ppublish their annual expenses. Could he do this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84055001804955744712009-01-20T11:27:00.000+00:002009-01-20T11:27:00.000+00:00Absolutely agree and Charles Hendrey MP has an ema...Absolutely agree and Charles Hendrey MP has an email winging its way to him through the interweb.<BR/><BR/>EDMs are the last word in empty gestures but at least it's another way to object. I sincerely hope that our elected Honorables will do the right thing and restore some faith in their honesty after the Conways et al.Platohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07416276749202589235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38045523698322703052009-01-20T11:23:00.000+00:002009-01-20T11:23:00.000+00:00Wrote to my local tory mp requestin him to vote ag...Wrote to my local tory mp requestin him to vote against the motion on Thursday. He has replied that they do not know the full details of the motion but that in principal it is his intention to vote against. I urge you all to write to your mps. My own view is that if this goes through Cameron should insist that if he becomes PM every Tory MP will have to publish their expenses from the tax payer. Could hen do this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-37506836255583499452009-01-20T11:00:00.000+00:002009-01-20T11:00:00.000+00:00Lady Finchley; Well I suppose the old adage is "if...Lady Finchley; Well I suppose the old adage is "if you want a job doing properly..." You're right. EDMs are a waste of time and money given that they achieve and mean next to nothing. I still think David Curry's comment <I>"No-one is trying to conceal expenses."</I> is either naive or downright dishonest.cartermagnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333414341785767838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-78941794157176552402009-01-20T10:51:00.000+00:002009-01-20T10:51:00.000+00:00CartermagnaThe vote is on Thursday but believe me ...Cartermagna<BR/><BR/>The vote is on Thursday but believe me EDMs are a joke and it is usually the most ineffectual MPS who habitually sign them. EDM is an example of 'gesture' poliics at its worst. Do you really wanting to be paying for a wank?Lady Finchleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03695379463537122656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83046044970104343462009-01-20T09:39:00.000+00:002009-01-20T09:39:00.000+00:00Lady Finchley, I understand what an EDM is but I w...Lady Finchley, I understand what an EDM is but I was under the impression there would be an actual vote on Thursday? Granted the EDM is a waste of money and about as much use as tits on a fish but at least, and I grant you it's a very small 'at least', an EDM does show some intent as to how an MP will vote on a particular issue. I know an EDM can's be used to hold an MP to account but at least you can point to it and say "So what *actually* changed your mind then?"cartermagnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333414341785767838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22177865934511454852009-01-20T09:25:00.000+00:002009-01-20T09:25:00.000+00:00I earn more than an MP (basic salary), and frankly...I earn more than an MP (basic salary), and frankly I have a better job. So to those who say they're all totally screwing the people ..... and aren't entitled to REASONABLE allowances .... rubbish!<BR/><BR/>But ....<BR/><BR/>.... I've just spent three hours filling my company expense reports ..... converting Hungarain Florints and Romanain whatevers into US Dollars, sellotaping every receipt to sheets of 11.5x8, and then accounting for every business call on my mobile phone bill.<BR/><BR/>Because .... if I don't do it, I'm thousands of dollars out of pocket, and it's the only way I (and we in the private sector) can do our jobs and are allowed to travel and claim or expenses.<BR/><BR/>They have secretaries, wives, daughters, lovers who can file theirs and be paid to do it ... as along as they declare that on their expenses .... so whats' the problem?Dual Citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05688872768973943522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7186906798700045232009-01-20T09:13:00.000+00:002009-01-20T09:13:00.000+00:00Blogged as requested:http://www.mkingscott.co.uk/a...Blogged as requested:<BR/><BR/>http://www.mkingscott.co.uk/action-required-for-transparency-on-mps-expenses/<BR/><BR/>Next, I'll be contacting my MP, Liz Blackman. Unfortunately, she toes the party line, but it's worth a shot.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06710437448588273440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-36653142057283874752009-01-20T08:31:00.000+00:002009-01-20T08:31:00.000+00:00ID-S has been written to!Link on my blog - http://...ID-S has been written to!<BR/><BR/>Link on my blog - http://johnmossblog.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>David B - Parliamentary priviledge is there to protect MPs and Peers from having to disclose confidential discussions between them and their constituents, or, in the case of ministers and shadows, information they hold in order to do their job, or in holding the Government to account. <BR/><BR/>£300 for Mark Oaten's new bed and mattress doesn't come into that category, however much we might not have wanted to know about that particular use of taxpayer's cash - or the reasons behind it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-74534524652424244322009-01-20T08:22:00.000+00:002009-01-20T08:22:00.000+00:00The government is going to whip its members? Mad, ...The government is going to whip its members? Mad, quite mad.<BR/><BR/>I sometimes think (often, as a matter of fact) that Harman, Balls and Cooper do this government more harm than anyone apart from Brown himself.<BR/><BR/>I would say 'long may it continue' except that bankruptcy is painful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-50576352370122065382009-01-20T08:17:00.000+00:002009-01-20T08:17:00.000+00:00@ David Boothroyd 12.15You seriously don't get it,...@ David Boothroyd 12.15<BR/><BR/>You seriously don't get it, do you?<BR/><BR/>We support the privacy of the confessional for the benefit of penitents, but this doesn't extend to protecting priests from prosecution for sexual offences.<BR/><BR/>We support the right of journalists to protect their sources for the benefit of those sources, but this doesn't extend to protecting journalists from prosecution for drunk driving.<BR/><BR/>And we support the absolute privileged status of an MP's dealings with his constituents and the sovereignty of Parliament for the benefit of our citizens, but this doesn't extend to protecting MPs from exposure for stealing taxes.Raedwaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11699610899843349594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-46188234708258306722009-01-20T08:00:00.000+00:002009-01-20T08:00:00.000+00:00Happy to do this. Any chance of linking to my blo...Happy to do this. Any chance of linking to my blog?<BR/><BR/>http://howarddenton.blogspot.comEvents dear boy, eventshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13027032420000802501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-33267362302672851972009-01-20T06:53:00.000+00:002009-01-20T06:53:00.000+00:00Cartermagna, may I explain to you what an EDM is? ...Cartermagna, may I explain to you what an EDM is? A wank, paid by the taxpayer. It is the way MPs show voters they 'care' about an issue or getting publicity for some hobby horse. Most consitutents get all hopped up about them but they have no influence on legislation and cost you, the taxpayer, every time one of these useless motions are tabled, a few hundred pounds.Lady Finchleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03695379463537122656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77641451983527060262009-01-20T02:08:00.000+00:002009-01-20T02:08:00.000+00:00Not a great start, this taken from the Facebook gr...Not a great start, this taken from the Facebook group, member by the name of Chris Bunting:<BR/><BR/><I>I wrote to my MP, David Curry (Conservative, Skipton and Ripon), and got this reply: "I am sorry but I believe you are wrong. No-one is trying to conceal expenses. It is a question as to what is a sensible level of detail. As for EDM I cannot see the earthly point of signing an EDM when the issue has to be voted on in the Commons itself. It has the whiff of sanctimoniousness about it. DC"</I><BR/><BR/>Where will we find the results once the vote has been taken Iain? I'd certainly like to publish them on my blog despite it being less effective than a high vis jacket in an earthquake.cartermagnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333414341785767838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-81797494889535894042009-01-20T01:37:00.000+00:002009-01-20T01:37:00.000+00:00Iain,Delighted to support this. I have shown my su...Iain,<BR/>Delighted to support this. I have shown my support as requested in blog form at The Francis Dobbs Blog at www.francisdobbsblog.blogspot.com (forgive the plug).<BR/><BR/>I am relatively new to the world of blogging but not to the world of Westminster sleaze. It is sad that this kind of underhand tactic does not surprise me in the least. This also highlights the need in my view to look again at the so-dubbed ‘family friendly hours’ which should, in my view read, ‘after-dinner speech friendly hours’.<BR/><BR/>If I may address David briefly. Sir, no one is suggesting that Damien Green be accorded any special rights as an individual but that his Constituents be accorded the rights of any mature democracy and be assured that when they consult with their Parliamentarian that they are not, in fact consulting with the Metropolitan Police. Further, I guarantee you that the practice of Civil Servants leaking to politicians is an age-old tradition partaken by Members of all political parties.<BR/><BR/>At no point has the Damien Green affair been about additional rights for Members. I respectfully suggest sir that you remove those rose-tinted spectacles and start to accept that this is about respecting you.<BR/><BR/>FrancisThe authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04775582134091228388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45372725056605876042009-01-20T00:56:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:56:00.000+00:00Hang fire David, if you apply the Damien Green iss...Hang fire David, if you apply the Damien Green issue to every single MP, which should be the case if it's applied to Damien Green, then wouldn't that see even our beloved Prime Mentalist in schtook too?cartermagnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333414341785767838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45149687911978782422009-01-20T00:48:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:48:00.000+00:00Don't believe I've commented on Harman's order. Ha...Don't believe I've commented on Harman's order. Haven't read it yet. Now answer my question.David Boothroydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01161970886471901426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38481145788871560122009-01-20T00:35:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:35:00.000+00:00Boothroyd,im thinking of brown here too.Whats good...Boothroyd,im thinking of brown here too.Whats good for the goose.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-7611267061249946312009-01-20T00:23:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:23:00.000+00:00I've posted your entreaty on my blog Iain, I hope ...I've posted your entreaty on my blog Iain, I hope you don't mind as I did say they were your words. I shall be writing to <A HREF="http://cartermagna.blogspot.com/2008/09/mp-for-wolverhampton-south-west.html" REL="nofollow">Rob Marris</A> now but I won't be holding my breath for a satisfactory response given <A HREF="http://cartermagna.blogspot.com/2008/12/lifestyle-coaches-for-feckless.html" REL="nofollow">an outrageous waste of taxpayers cash</A>, <A HREF="http://cartermagna.blogspot.com/2008/12/who-ya-gonna-call.html" REL="nofollow">my enquiry to him</A> and the <A HREF="http://cartermagna.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-may-as-well-just-bark-at-moon.html" REL="nofollow">"don't bother me prole" response I got</A> <BR/><BR/>Still. Worth a shot.cartermagnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00333414341785767838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-71364744522079072212009-01-20T00:19:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:19:00.000+00:00unbelievable. so you support Harman's order?unbelievable. so you support Harman's order?Iain Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-40494654300060642012009-01-20T00:15:00.000+00:002009-01-20T00:15:00.000+00:00I'm glad you believe that MPs should be subject to...I'm glad you believe that MPs should be subject to the same laws they impose on other people. Now will you apply that to Damian Green? Or do MPs sometimes get legal privileges not available to the rest of us?David Boothroydhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01161970886471901426noreply@blogger.com