tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post7755601577338268064..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Do MPs Not Understand How They Are Viewed by the Public?Iain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-58400167581153269362010-03-23T22:46:37.543+00:002010-03-23T22:46:37.543+00:00The Mp's who do not get re-elected, if they we...The Mp's who do not get re-elected, if they were found not guilty of fiddling their expenses, should receive the same Government minimum package as the rest of us. The tax payers pay their salaries and benefits so the should adhere to their minimum payment policy. If that is not good enough for them, it is not good enough for us!!!<br /><br />Those that were found to have "fiddled" their expenses should not receive any payment due to the fact that if they worked for an employer, they would have been sacked on the spot and not received any recompense for their sins.<br /><br />I wish someone would put their foot down and treat these spongers with the disrespect they deserve.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15838570999255261297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-21689776502941873132009-02-18T22:52:00.000+00:002009-02-18T22:52:00.000+00:00MPs don't care about how they are regarded by the ...MPs don't care about how they are regarded by the public. It's time we put that right - they should not be fleecing us every time we turn around, there should not be any severance pay (fixed term contracts, live with it or don't do it) and there certainly shouldn't be this ridiculous system of expenses that they are all living high on. I'm sure there must be some nic emptyish tower blocks around, why not provide accommodation in London for them while they are there, and they of course already have homes in the constituencies they are representing, where they should spend the majority of their time.<BR/><BR/>As for the ludicrous shouting matches and finger pointing that passes for debate in Parliament, I wouldn't let my five year old behave like that, and I think grown men and women should know much better.Jax Blunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09415759029231313958noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57027907129452449622009-02-15T21:39:00.000+00:002009-02-15T21:39:00.000+00:00That person Harman is beyond belief.Has she any id...That person Harman is beyond belief.<BR/><BR/>Has she any idea at all of what goes on outside her palace gates?<BR/><BR/>Contemptible is the only word that won't get this moderated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55768857932516581412009-02-15T20:23:00.000+00:002009-02-15T20:23:00.000+00:00Of course they understand. Even they are not that...Of course they understand. Even they are not that stupid. <BR/><BR/>But that's not the point. The real question is; Do they care?Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-88980313451402249162009-02-15T18:46:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:46:00.000+00:00The problem is MPs live in a similar bubble of unr...The problem is MPs live in a similar bubble of unreality as academics. Thus they view the real world from a very distorted perspective.<BR/><BR/>If it was otherwise we would not spend billions on the Lardge Hadron Collider which if it ever works will prove only that the universe is too big, old and complex for us ever to understand its origins and Lord Mandy would not talk about Britain needing more real engineering and less financial engineering in the same week as his colleagues awarded the real engineering work on building a new generation of inter city trains to a Japanese company.<BR/><A HREF="http://greenteeth.blog.co.uk/2009/02/13/real-british-engineering-real-japanese-jobs-5567448/" REL="nofollow"> Real british Engineering, real Japanese jobs</A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-64113508307244348922009-02-15T18:42:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:42:00.000+00:00There's no case for any sort of "redundancy" payme...There's no case for any sort of "redundancy" payment whatsoever.<BR/><BR/>Don't forget most of them have two or more "jobs" going at the same time. Being an MP today is a part-time job. (Brussels, unfortunately for us, does most of their dirty work for them)Bernardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09024557597864373705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56084102059139008712009-02-15T18:23:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:23:00.000+00:00Zeddy,Sorry, I forgot to add to my original post t...Zeddy,<BR/><BR/>Sorry, I forgot to add to my original post that the second chamber should be used to place people who have proven themselves and have any experience that may be required to govern the country with a modicum of competence (maybe some former MPs of merit).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-24973526752999281622009-02-15T18:18:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:18:00.000+00:00They shouldn't get compensation - they should be f...They shouldn't get compensation - they should be fined 3 years salary for losing an election. They need to be punished, not rewarded.<BR/><BR/>Of course the main problem is that MPs get any compensation at all. They should not be paid nor have any expenses or perks. They shouldn't be full time, they need to have outside interests so that they know what is happening in the real world.<BR/><BR/>A zero compensation system would also get you a better quality of MP, who had already been exceptionally successful, especially to be a minister or secretary of state, to be able to support themselves.<BR/><BR/>There should be no MP who has only worked in politics or for whom MP or Minister is the highest paid job of their career. These types are the ones who end up corrupt and engaging in fraud such as Harperson and Lord Mooney, or in the Blair's "interesting" financial arrangements and livign situation.Heyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333291654356970407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-66803658340093793382009-02-15T18:07:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:07:00.000+00:00Iain - it's simply a 'scorched earth' policy. They...Iain - it's simply a 'scorched earth' policy. They know the game is up and will scoff at the trough for as long as possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-73897080935595903862009-02-15T18:03:00.000+00:002009-02-15T18:03:00.000+00:00A week's pay per year of service is common for a r...A week's pay per year of service is common for a redundancy payment. However that is for permanent staff. Since MPs are only appointed for a maximum of 5 years at a time, they are more like contractors who get no redundancy money when their contract is up.marksanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01520830611440112455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-82610197354076403332009-02-15T17:54:00.000+00:002009-02-15T17:54:00.000+00:00Iain, remind me why you ever wanted to become a Me...Iain, remind me why you ever wanted to become a Member for Parliament again?The Grim Reaperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05543130733645367498noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-45506487503390500982009-02-15T17:41:00.000+00:002009-02-15T17:41:00.000+00:00I fall into the "fixed term contract" view of MPs....I fall into the "fixed term contract" view of MPs. If a particular party fails to deliver to the population and is voted out of power, resulting in the loss of employment for a few hundred MPs, why should we be rewarding them for failure? <BR/><BR/>It's akin to the 'banking bonus' culture we hear so much about these days.manwiddicombehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499331812704446499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63947960290176894912009-02-15T17:40:00.000+00:002009-02-15T17:40:00.000+00:00To calculate the number of weeks pay due, you shou...To calculate the number of weeks pay due, you should use the following amounts –<BR/><BR/> * 0.5 week's pay for each full year of service where age during year less than 22<BR/> * 1.0 week's pay for each full year of service where age during year is 22 or above, but less than 41<BR/> * 1.5 weeks' pay for each full year of service where age during year is 41+<BR/><BR/>http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page33157.html<BR/><BR/>If it takes me less than a minute to look this up and then post it here, why does it take anyone steeped in the political process...?<BR/><BR/>Frankly, I give up.<BR/><BR/>Iain has ran his own business(es) over the years and must know this. Many of you who comment must know this. So why the discussion?<BR/><BR/>I could go on at great length but, Iain, you know this so why not argue your point from the facts rather than the fact that this will result in a debate on your blog?<BR/><BR/>This is why so many people do not do politics: I know something is wrong, you know it too but....but you insist on a debate rather than stating the bloody obvious and either proposing a change or asking for ideas for a change.<BR/><BR/>Before you say you proposed a change, look at the figures above and then justify why six months salary is reasonable.<BR/><BR/>It is not.<BR/><BR/>STB.ScotsToryBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12207431916446594508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-29905746439592555762009-02-15T17:38:00.000+00:002009-02-15T17:38:00.000+00:00£25 for a shirt? For a shirt? Get along down to th...£25 for a shirt? For a shirt? Get along down to the charity shops you luxurious bastards. You'll be wanting turtle soup from golden spoons next. Has nobody told you there's Recession on?Fergus Pickeringhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11155086567550992947noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-86941738170210100562009-02-15T17:06:00.000+00:002009-02-15T17:06:00.000+00:00There's no case for any sort of "redundancy" payme...There's no case for any sort of "redundancy" payment whatsoever.<BR/><BR/>Becoming a member of parliament should not be a career choice nor an opportunity for enrichment. The fact is, that for many in politics, it is both these things, and is a contributing factor to the zener like decline in standards.Colinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16949877777934292635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52813919575740574732009-02-15T16:42:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:42:00.000+00:00What else can you expect from harman,she has alway...What else can you expect from harman,she has always thought mps are above everyone else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32437539242989525262009-02-15T16:34:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:34:00.000+00:00There is a case for getting rid of many of the all...There is a case for getting rid of many of the allowances MPs claim, converting them into a single salary and relying on the pension, with no 'golden parachutes'. Length of service should be taken into account in terms of salary. At present, each MP receives the same salary, regardless of how many years they have served.<BR/><BR/>As an aside, despite the criticism that some people throw at the House of Lords, it is worth noting that peers do not get a salary, the allowances are not that generous (and not as generous as frequently claimed in the media), and there is no reward of any sort for years of service. Some peers have attended and contributed for decades for no material reward.Erskine Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11890563553021016531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-3196066791963755632009-02-15T16:20:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:20:00.000+00:00Iain,Lets be clear we are in the main talking abou...Iain,<BR/><BR/>Lets be clear we are in the main talking about a series of Labour MPs who will be looking for employment opportunities by the end of 2010.<BR/><BR/>My guess is the MPs know what the public think and feel - the Labour ones just would rather have a cheque than public sympathy.<BR/><BR/>The answer here is for David Cameron to state he will repeal any such payment as his first act in office, and to make that announcement as part of the election campaign.Man in a Shedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00990902055642035293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-68934766469056066142009-02-15T16:16:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:16:00.000+00:00@ Wrinkled Weasel"I was in Jermyn Street last...@ Wrinkled Weasel<BR/><BR/>"I was in Jermyn Street last week and everyone has a sale on. You can get a nice shirt (readymade, I admit)from Hawes & Curtis, for £25."<BR/><BR/>Ah, a Weasel after my own heart. H&C are probably the best value-for-money readymade shirts in the UK, but they have always offered their shirts at £27.50 each or 4 for £100.<BR/><BR/>Still great value though...Faceless Bureaucrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05645935991790673158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67126863860055799102009-02-15T16:09:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:09:00.000+00:00BTW As a proper professional (studied hard, gained...BTW As a proper professional (studied hard, gained relevant experience and then passed the critical judgement of my peers) I agree whole heartedly with Mike. Politicians are not professionals. Nor should they be.The Remittance Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-58526687812398104772009-02-15T16:05:00.002+00:002009-02-15T16:05:00.002+00:00It just isn't sinking in is it?It sickens us to se...It just isn't sinking in is it?<BR/><BR/>It sickens us to see our Chancellor and Home Secretary fiddling their expenses and now we see Harman leading the way with another scam to pocket taxpayers money.<BR/><BR/>Mr Cameron and colleagues, put your heads above the parapet and protest about this corruption.<BR/><BR/>You will find many voters supporting your courage if you do so.jon deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17354116589298046787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-34741576539457022332009-02-15T16:05:00.001+00:002009-02-15T16:05:00.001+00:00Don't worry, folks; the rules won't come into effe...Don't worry, folks; the rules won't come into effect until the election after next - 2015 or so - so Cameron will have plenty of time to reverse this nonsense and go back to the current six month's severance pay. <BR/><BR/>He will reverse it, won't he?Raedwaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11699610899843349594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-287916091146839862009-02-15T16:05:00.000+00:002009-02-15T16:05:00.000+00:00The buggers seem to spend their entire careers mak...The buggers seem to spend their entire careers making their own golden parachutes, so why should they get anything?<BR/><BR/>Assuming (and yes you can all laugh out loud here) the Commons cleans up the perks system, why should MPs get any more redundancy pay than what they mandate for the rest of the public? What is it at the moment? One week's basic pay for ever year of service? That sounds good enough to me.The Remittance Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104149259707414863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38145058290638175672009-02-15T15:57:00.000+00:002009-02-15T15:57:00.000+00:00Sorry, the above was in reference to Mike Law's:**...Sorry, the above was in reference to Mike Law's:<BR/><BR/>***Maybe there should be a maximum limit of a two-term tenure for any politician***Steve Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15992098012803570361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-22650324350586625352009-02-15T15:55:00.002+00:002009-02-15T15:55:00.002+00:00You don't have to wear hair shirts folks, Iain...You don't have to wear hair shirts folks, Iain was exaggerating.<BR/><BR/>I was in Jermyn Street last week and everyone has a sale on. You can get a nice shirt (readymade, I admit)from Hawes & Curtis, for £25.<BR/><BR/>This article in all seriousness misses the point that severance pay, the sort they are talking about, would be quite reasonable if it were not for the fact that MPs spend their careers, however brief, stuffing us for every bit of money they can get out of the job.<BR/><BR/>Many people are entitled to this sort of severance package, including "death in service" benefits that equal a year's salary. Anybody who has worked in the same place for 17 years is entitled to redundacy money, and I cannot see how 17 years as a politician counts as a "failure".<BR/><BR/>Yes they are all money grabbing bastards, but that's not the point.Wrinkled Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05291551539649118631noreply@blogger.com