tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post1213744444023113395..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: The MPs' Communications Allowance: Trouble AheadIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-83702294702142549482008-08-25T19:03:00.000+01:002008-08-25T19:03:00.000+01:00I know it's an old item, but I'm bitter an...I know it's an old item, but I'm bitter and it still cheeses me off. Here is a good example. Andrew Pelling has been off work with depression for six months and has announced that the campaign running on Croydon tramlink 'working for you' while he was off sick is now ended.<BR/><BR/>http://www.andrewpelling.org.uk/record.jsp?type=news&ID=104Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3699294180628724192007-10-31T11:47:00.000+00:002007-10-31T11:47:00.000+00:00As Conservatives I think we are in danger of cutti...As Conservatives I think we are in danger of cutting off our noses to spite our faces here. <BR/><BR/>It is perfectly reasonable for MPs to have websites, run campaigns on behalf of constituents and make themselves accessible to the views of constituents.<BR/><BR/>What is unacceptable if when the advantage of incumbency is used to an excessive amount. But that is more difficult to define, except to say that you know it when you see it.<BR/><BR/>It's also noteworthy that Lord Ashcroft has justified his support to target seats citing the advantage Labour incumbents enjoy. Given how Labour are gunning for Lord A at the moment we are in danger of undermining him and the target seats campaign??Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-35386195216155851582007-10-31T07:04:00.000+00:002007-10-31T07:04:00.000+00:00I for one am glad of the communications allowance ...I for one am glad of the communications allowance - on MP I worked for paid for their very elaborate website and upkeep from the salary allowance which meant that there was less money for staff salaries. And speaking of, I very much resent the fact that staff salaries are included in MPs so called perks. Why doesn't one MP have the cojones to tell the electorate that if they want their problems with tax credits, the CSA, their children's school, OAP travel, lack of hearing aids, complaints against hospitals, not to mention planning issues (which MPs cannot intervene in but which constituents insist on plaguing them with) AND their hundreds of missives just giving their views on anything and everything to which we have to give an intelligent reply then MPs need staff which need to earn a living wage. The reason they don't is because they like constituents to think that THEY do all these things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57977169445416066342007-10-30T18:02:00.000+00:002007-10-30T18:02:00.000+00:00To say otherwise is a bit like criticising an MP w...<I>To say otherwise is a bit like criticising an MP who votes against a cut in income tax if he doesn't send the money back to HMRC</I><BR/><BR/>You're onto a good idea there. If Dave gets in and reduces taxes I think all Labour and LibDhimms who oppose it should be challenged to opt out of the tax cut and carry on paying Gordon's rates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67391253003947526552007-10-30T17:05:00.000+00:002007-10-30T17:05:00.000+00:00Stephen Hammond has been mentioned on this page as...Stephen Hammond has been mentioned on this page as an example of an MP funding his website from his communications allowance. As 'MP's staffer' above has pointed out, Stephen - like all other MPs - has no choice but to pay for his website from this allowance, these are the rules. Several times has tried to put things through his IEP allowance only to be told they must come from his communications allowance instead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9406056383771057772007-10-30T16:19:00.000+00:002007-10-30T16:19:00.000+00:00The first step is that ALL media produced from the...The first step is that ALL media produced from the allowances must state that as the source of funds.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-77162945770116096672007-10-30T16:11:00.000+00:002007-10-30T16:11:00.000+00:00now that the Comms Allowance has come into force, ...now that the Comms Allowance has come into force, MPs HAVE to use it for their websites and newsletters instead of the IEP. They don't have a choice. Even if they wanted to make a point and continue to use their IEP and leave the £10,000 Comms Allowance untouched, they can't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-1445887836207065162007-10-30T16:04:00.000+00:002007-10-30T16:04:00.000+00:00Bryant's ads are obviously being seen by everyone ...Bryant's ads are obviously being seen by everyone who goes to (most) Message Space blogs. I think I have seen it on yours though I'm not sure.<BR/><BR/>Many MPs use tax payers money for parliamentary reports and also for systematic campaigning over-corresponding with constituents.<BR/><BR/>In both 2006 and 2007 Cllr John Leech MP - yes he still has the two jobs - issued parliamentary reports bigging up with lots of whopping pictures his local govt candidates.<BR/><BR/>The 2007 was spectacularly similar to (other) campaign literature with the same pic of Lib Dem campaign materials on the cover of a candidate's election address.<BR/><BR/>That was and is disgraceful but it came from existing funds. Paid for by the tax payer.<BR/><BR/>He voted against the new money. I don't know whether he will take it up and use it. We'll have to wait and see.<BR/><BR/>But I think there should be a clamp down anyway. Parliamentary reports should have to be issued say in late June or July and all editions should be scrutinised with offenders losing a year or two of money for transgressions.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad to see some examples of Tories coming through - we don't have any round where I am - as the incumbent money clearly benefits Tories too. <BR/><BR/>For the record I don't think there is any problem with voting against but taking the budget. I actually agree with Prague Tory on this!Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79471491166994945882007-10-30T16:01:00.000+00:002007-10-30T16:01:00.000+00:00Iain is wrong to criticise Tory MPs for voting aga...Iain is wrong to criticise Tory MPs for voting against the communications allowance and then using it (responsibly). To say otherwise is a bit like criticising an MP who votes against a cut in income tax if he doesn't send the money back to HMRC.<BR/><BR/>If we are really concerned about the cost of MPs, of much more significance is the MPs' final salary DB pension, with very generous accrual rates. In order to reduce the disconnect between MPs and the private sector, and to allow them to approach the issue of other public sector pensions with "clean hands", we should pledge to end DB pensions for MPs and Ministers, replacing them with a generous age-related employer DC/money purchase contribution. In accordance with normal pension law, this would of course only apply to service from the next election onwards. Let's get all existing MPs onside for this and then make the pledge. It could be another "Inheritance Tax moment".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-9387141152397957222007-10-30T15:40:00.000+00:002007-10-30T15:40:00.000+00:00Correction: Mike Penning and Mark Prichard were a...Correction: <BR/><BR/>Mike Penning and Mark Prichard were absent at the vote.<BR/><BR/>But funnily enough so were pretty much all over the Tory so called heavy weights, scared were they, these include<BR/><BR/>Willy Vague, Willets, Mates Riffy, Lilley, Lansley, Davis, Howard, Gummer, Ancram, Jeremy Hunt. These lot didn’t even vote, many of them front benchers….worried were theyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-23827249042535716372007-10-30T15:10:00.000+00:002007-10-30T15:10:00.000+00:00More Tory MPS who voted against the allowance, the...More Tory MPS who voted against the allowance, then took it:<BR/><BR/>Anne Main<BR/>Charles Walker<BR/>Shailesh Vara<BR/>Mike Penning<BR/>Mark PrichardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-50986143193097200012007-10-30T14:52:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:52:00.000+00:00sorry it looks like i have been smoking crack, ign...sorry it looks like i have been smoking crack, ignore the post....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-31061890412813925702007-10-30T14:41:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:41:00.000+00:00Anonymous you think not what exactly?My point was ...Anonymous you think not what exactly?<BR/><BR/>My point was that the Incidental expenses allowance was used in the past - which you have confirmed. <BR/><BR/>Did I say that they did not have to have an imprint specifically stating how it was paid for? No.<BR/><BR/>My point was that it isnt anything new that money from an MPs office is used for Communications activities.Jonathan Sheppardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10238183487590130264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-14036974538153024892007-10-30T14:33:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:33:00.000+00:00I don’t think so Jonathan Sheppard, MPs who use th...I don’t think so Jonathan Sheppard, MPs who use the Incidental Expenses allowance ( IEP ) for comms and websites are required to declare that fact, ie Message stating ““blar blar funded from the Incidental Expenses Provision””. Those using the comms allowance have to declare likewise. Would you like the full list of Tory MPS who voted against the Comms allowance, but actually receive the money. Would You. !!!!. I feel the Grammar School debacle coming again.<BR/><BR/>Trouble ahead indeed Iain... Probably the first time you have ever been rightAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38000064335766628252007-10-30T14:24:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:24:00.000+00:00lamppostTake a football analogy. The FA abolishes...lamppostTake a football analogy. The FA abolishes the offside rule. You disagree and then say any of your players caught offside will be sent off by your own captain. <BR/><BR/>Obviously, nobody in their right mind would do this. Similarly, Conservative MPs shouldn't have to fight to retain their seats using different rules to Labour. Like footballers they have to play within the rules set by the Governing body, in this case the Labour government.<BR/><BR/>Once in power we can implement a manifesto commitment to make democracy fairer by eliminating this bias in favour of the incumberents. Until then, there is noting hypocritical in Tory MPs using an allowance specifically designed to help the Labour party at the expense of the Tories.Scary Biscuitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03039289019338752778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-72053699053024881402007-10-30T14:17:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:17:00.000+00:00Louise makes a good point - however annual reports...Louise makes a good point - however annual reports and the like have been published paid for out of an MPs allowance before the Communication allowance was in existence. I would hazard a guess that most MPs on all sides have used the IEP for such activity in the past.Jonathan Sheppardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10238183487590130264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-43755143196997621942007-10-30T14:02:00.000+00:002007-10-30T14:02:00.000+00:00How about Tory MP Geofrey Cox, whose website is fu...How about Tory MP Geofrey Cox, whose website is funded from the Communications Allowance of the House of Commons.<BR/><BR/>Or<BR/><BR/>Tory Nicholas Soames whose website is funded from the Communications Allowance of the House of Commons.<BR/><BR/>Or<BR/><BR/>Tory Philip Dunne whose website is funded from the Communications Allowance of the House of Commons.<BR/><BR/>Or <BR/><BR/>Tory Michael Gove whose website is funded from the Communications Allowance of the House of Commons.<BR/><BR/>I could go on, but more hilarious the number of Tory MPS who voted against the allowance, have actually taken the cash…OH DEAR !!!!!.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-10526320890905409142007-10-30T13:59:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:59:00.000+00:00Does he appear in these videos in his underpants?Does he appear in these videos in his underpants?Wrinkled Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-151490855861005512007-10-30T13:52:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:52:00.000+00:00Concreate... you ask.How about Tory MP Stephan Ham...Concreate... you ask.<BR/><BR/>How about Tory MP Stephan Hammond. Who on the bottom of his own web site has the following note.<BR/><BR/>"""Stephen Hammond MP is responsible for this site which is funded from the Communications Allowance of the House of Commons""".<BR/><BR/>Is that concreate enough for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-89212557334030126412007-10-30T13:46:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:46:00.000+00:00Since you raise my seat as an example, Iain, let m...Since you raise my seat as an example, Iain, let me give your readers some concrete glimpses as to how Phil Hope MP is using his communications allowance:<BR/><BR/>http://www.louise4corby.com/video/politics_show_14102007.php<BR/><BR/>In this video from the Politics Show, you will see leaflets paid for by the Communications Allowance in my lap.<BR/><BR/>You can't read them, but you'll note that they are red and yellow branded, like Labour leaflets, and they use Labour typeface and typesetting.<BR/><BR/>They were sent out just before the election that wasn't. Interesting timing.<BR/><BR/>Unsolicited, they contain a slogan "Phil Hope - A Strong Voice for Corby" and the headline "Phil Hope MP wins Rail for Corby", with the MP taking credit for our train station and a petition organised by the local paper.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, this supposedly non-partisan "communications allowance" piece features Phil Hope holding a giant train ticket!<BR/><BR/>In the next wholly not electioneering "communications allowance", your Labour MP leaps tall buildings in a single bound!<BR/><BR/>I have supplied copies of this leaflet to the Guardian and am glad I got the chance to show it on television. <BR/><BR/>The communications allowance is an anti-democratic use of taxpayers' money for promoting incumbent MPs. It's immoral and I hope we scrap it when we are in government. <BR/><BR/>To think that Mr. Hope complains about target seats funding from private donors! Tory and LibDem challengers are chasing Labour MPs with sandbags tied around their legs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-65566176149882087992007-10-30T13:36:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:36:00.000+00:00I've not seen the Broadcast Wales advert on your b...I've not seen the Broadcast Wales advert on your blog, but it is certainly showing repeatedly on LabourHome.<BR/><BR/>I've written about my local Labour MP's use of the communications allowance on my blog:<BR/><BR/>http://www.iainlindley.co.uk/2007/09/28/political-propaganda-at-your-expense/<BR/><BR/>Note the Labour lackey who has appeared (anonymously, of course) in the comments...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-30459024896841688122007-10-30T13:33:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:33:00.000+00:00To counsel Tory MPs not to use this money is not g...To counsel Tory MPs not to use this money is not good advice. This was indeed a unjust Labour bill, but why should we play the game with one arm tied behind our back just to make a point. <BR/><BR/>Our commitment to abolish it is enough.Praguetoryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16520923731691837948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55245209120580244132007-10-30T13:28:00.000+00:002007-10-30T13:28:00.000+00:00During the summer recess I recieved a glossy broch...During the summer recess I recieved a glossy brochure detailing a whistle stop tour around the Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine constituency by Sir Robert Smith (Lib Dem)<BR/>Very impressive, looked expensive. Until I took a closer look at the schedule...Using my own local knowledge and the RAC Routeplanner he would spend approximately 14 minutes in my town of Stonehaven (population 10000+ )I complained to his agent that this whole exercise was about spin...What in heavens name could he possibly hope to achieve in 14 minutes. I felt it was a waste of money. God knows how many brochures were printed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com