Hampshire MP claimed expenses for floating duck island (From This is Hampshire)

When many families in his constituency have to live on considerably less than what he is claiming on expenses, he is clearly out of touch with them.

How he has the nerve to attempt to defend his actions defies belief.

Why wait until the next election, he should go NOW!

I bet he voted to sack the speaker.

It's time to get all these over educated buffoons out along with their political parties and get some common sense independent MPs back in the House of Commons.

I can't wait to see the expense claims from our retired over educated buffoons in the unelected House of Lords !!

I think that he should be praised for making an island for floating ducks, but how about arm bands for those that do not swim so well?

The point that seems to constantly be ignored in most of reports such as this is that most of those expenses so far reported of all MP's have been " in accordance with the rules and approved by the fees office."
Yes, those that wasted money in the way reported should be pilloried for their lack of conscience, but it is the system that is wrong, and I don't see Mr Brown changing it much, despite his protestations to the contrary.

Vonnie wrote:
The point that seems to constantly be ignored in most of reports such as this is that most of those expenses so far reported of all MP's have been " in accordance with the rules and approved by the fees office."
Yes, those that wasted money in the way reported should be pilloried for their lack of conscience, but it is the system that is wrong, and I don't see Mr Brown changing it much, despite his protestations to the contrary.

It is not consistently ignored - it has been cited almost every time the issue is discussed. SO we can forgive every MP for fleecing a system for applying the letter rather than the spirit? How are these people supposed to excercise any moral authority over us? They police themselves and are on trust to do so. PM's created, update and administer these rules - they are not imposed externally, they are maintained by parliament itself. I would like to introduce my own rules for avoiding income tax. Am I allowed to? Commentators have said for weeks that saying expenses are "within the rules" is no defence - in fact it is the kind of immoral non-excuse used by someone who cannot justify what they have done in any other way.

whoops MPs not PMs. It was early.

Andy Locks Heath wrote:

Vonnie wrote: The point that seems to constantly be ignored in most of reports such as this is that most of those expenses so far reported of all MP's have been " in accordance with the rules and approved by the fees office." Yes, those that wasted money in the way reported should be pilloried for their lack of conscience, but it is the system that is wrong, and I don't see Mr Brown changing it much, despite his protestations to the contrary.

It is not consistently ignored - it has been cited almost every time the issue is discussed. SO we can forgive every MP for fleecing a system for applying the letter rather than the spirit? How are these people supposed to excercise any moral authority over us? They police themselves and are on trust to do so. PM's created, update and administer these rules - they are not imposed externally, they are maintained by parliament itself. I would like to introduce my own rules for avoiding income tax. Am I allowed to? Commentators have said for weeks that saying expenses are "within the rules" is no defence - in fact it is the kind of immoral non-excuse used by someone who cannot justify what they have done in any other way.

Well said Andy.
MPs should be leading by example.