I know the rules say "no politics", but.....

Flash In The Pan

Suspended / Banned
Messages
27,793
Edit My Images
Yes
£2000 expenses claim to clean the moat around Douglas Hogg's house...

I'm sorry, run that by me again.....cleaning his moat??

If there was ever an example of how detached from the the rest of us politicians have become surely this is it.....
 
hee hee
I recall a discussion between one of the landed gentry and HM govt concerning releasing "staff" for the war effort (1st WW that is)
LG (landed gentry) agreed to release one of his three butlers
and one of his upstairs chambermaids
but got quite sniffy about third cook
"how's a chap to get his biscuits cooked if 3rd chef has to go what?"
 
£2000 expenses claim to clean the moat around Douglas Hogg's house...

I'm sorry, run that by me again.....cleaning his moat??

If there was ever an example of how detached from the the rest of us politicians have become surely this is it.....


But I clean mine out on a regular basis otherwise it gets smelly
and doesn't produce any milk......................
Oh sorry thought you said goat :thumbs:
 
I'm gonna have to find another mug to pay me £2000 to punt around his moat for days on end now... :( :lol:
 
What's the issue here?

Doesn't everyone have a moat? :lol:

AND got to put your own chandeliers up - what's the world coming to?

(hee hee get Dell boy in to do that job!)
 
It's very important to keep ones moat clean, I suggest you try getting one cleaned for any less. Not many moat cleaners in yellow pages if you care to look.
Regards, Douglas.

PS. I'm now thinking of doing a bit of wedding photography to supplement my parliamentary income will my Canon Ixus 400 be OK or do I need to submit a claim for something more expensive?

:popcorn:
 
PS. I'm now thinking of doing a bit of wedding photography to supplement my parliamentary income will my Canon Ixus 400 be OK or do I need to submit a claim for something more expensive?

:popcorn:

Of course, you need a D3 and 70-200mm F/2.8 VR just to photograph the work that needs doing on your house
 
indeed - would you vote for a member with a dirty moat? :naughty:
 
They are fighting over themselves so fast to pay money back now that we will soon have paid off the National debt.
 
£2000 expenses claim to clean the moat around Douglas Hogg's house...

I'm sorry, run that by me again.....cleaning his moat??

If there was ever an example of how detached from the the rest of us politicians have become surely this is it.....

just realised
he'd have to be detached
can't put a moat round a semi! :coat:
 
They are fighting over themselves so fast to pay money back now that we will soon have paid off the National debt.

I wonder if they'll give every conman in the country the opportunity to repay the money rather than face the consequences:nono:
 
Just watched Phil Hope the Health Minister explaining why he is paying back over £41000, saying it has nothing to do with votes but all to do with his integrity,:lol: do they think the general public are stupid !!. Digging a hole comes to mind.......
 
Last edited:
£2000 expenses claim to clean the moat around Douglas Hogg's house...

I'm sorry, run that by me again.....cleaning his moat??

If there was ever an example of how detached from the the rest of us politicians have become surely this is it.....

Not really about politics. It's about public servants misappropriating our money.
Makes no difference if they are MP's or civil servants or whatever.

Like you, I had to read it more than once. Moat? I'd moat him OK.
 
Just watched Phil Hope the Health Minister explaining why he is paying back over £41000, saying it has nothing to do with votes but all to do with his integrity,:lol: do they think the general public are stupid !!. Digging a hole comes to mind.......

They have been doing this for so long that they cannot begin to understand how reviled they have become and how we all see through them.
 
I think you're ok on this one Flash, the rules say "politics", I think what that bunch of shisters does in westminster is called a "****take"
 
Didn't some MP claim for purchasing dog or cat food?!

And folks let's not forget there's also the cash mountain over at the EEC!
 
Didn't some MP claim for purchasing dog or cat food?!

And folks let's not forget there's also the cash mountain over at the EEC!

The Brussels gravy train has also crossed my mind.
 
It's all a case of sour grapes I reckon. Most people would claim for whatever their rules or employment contract allowed.

:D
 
It's all a case of sour grapes I reckon. Most people would claim for whatever their rules or employment contract allowed.

:D

The difference being WE aren't paying for Joe Bloggs Corporation or their staff expenses. However, WE are paying for these ******s, their tampons and their ****in moats!
 
It's all a case of sour grapes I reckon. Most people would claim for whatever their rules or employment contract allowed.

:D

Actually I don't think that's right. Most people are pretty fair with what they will and won't claim for, perhaps because they know somebody will be looking at it and perhaps not.

These MPs are simply being greedy, believing that they are entitled to do whatever they like because they have the authority to create the legislation that permits it.

They long ago forgot that they are the servants of the people, not their masters.
 
By my bro the poet...

Gravy Train

The Gravy Train's such a fast mover,
It's speeding along on the rails,
No locomotive can go smoother
Than this for Right Honourable pals.

The only ones who are allowed to
Take rides on the Gravy Train are
The fine MPs who represent you,
Each of them, a Westminster star.

It's buffet provides several biggies,
Immense amounts served in the slime,
A trough for the snouts of the piggies,
Expense accounts win every time.

And what comes for free needn't be cheap,
From furniture to garden gnomes,
The passengers know it's a bit steep
But still sell off their second homes.

They boarded without any ticket,
To pay is against all the laws,
They've told the whole country to stick it;
In other words they've said 'Up yours'.

The Gravy Train's there for this nation
But somehow it just whizzes by,
It's hard to slow down for a station
When you love to scoff the whole pie.

The secrets are out, we've awoken
We know why you're over the moon,
I pray that ahead the track's broken
And smashes the Gravy Train soon.

It won't be like other disasters,
Although the train will be derailed
Revealing political masters
So vile they deserve to be jailed.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mart61
It's all a case of sour grapes I reckon. Most people would claim for whatever their rules or employment contract allowed.



Actually I don't think that's right. Most people are pretty fair with what they will and won't claim for, perhaps because they know somebody will be looking at it and perhaps not.

These MPs are simply being greedy, believing that they are entitled to do whatever they like because they have the authority to create the legislation that permits it.

They long ago forgot that they are the servants of the people, not their masters.

Dead right mate.
No matter what the rules say the point was reached a long time ago where it must have been crystal clear that claims were being made for wholly unreasonable amounts and for inappropriate items.

The 36-page green booklet sets out the rules and clearly states that all claims should be "above reproach" and that "members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious."

Among the areas covered is the controversial second homes allowance, where MPs can claim for the cost of keeping another property "for the purpose of performing their parliamentary duties."


How do these rules make it OK to:-
buy 3 x 2nd houses in a year and bump public funds for furnishing them,
getting the grass trimmed aroung your helipad,
getting your moat cleaned out
 
I think that anyone suddnely paying back is guilty twice. Once for the taking in the first place and again for the insult to our intelligence. I'd have them kicked out.

I notice that the Police may be investigating - they have had complaints about Fraud lodged. I suspect that a Fraud conviction stops you from being an mp?

Just like those two Lords that have been suspended for 6 months for offering to change laws for cash.

The thing that worries me about this is that I can see the extremeists like the BNP and the numpties in ukip doing very well in the forthcoming euro elections.

When the expenses thing first broke, I assumed it was a tory supporter shopping the labour lot. but now I wonder if it isnt a bnp supporter behind this release.
 
I think that anyone suddnely paying back is guilty twice. Once for the taking in the first place and again for the insult to our intelligence. I'd have them kicked out.

I notice that the Police may be investigating - they have had complaints about Fraud lodged. ............... etc.
.

Why would anyone pay back that which is above board?

Taxpayers Alliance and Daily Mail are teaming up to bring private prosecutions.
 
Why would anyone pay back that which is above board?

Taxpayers Alliance and Daily Mail are teaming up to bring private prosecutions.

HMRC should get involved too. The nifty tax exemption MPs voted for themselves in 2003 was only for items wholly used in their job as an MP.

If you have ever had the compliance chaps round from HMRC you would know that they go through everything trying to get in more money and a few fines. Well, unless you are an MP.
 
Seems to be moving to a new level today. Daily Tel. say it has evidence that Parliament Fees Office colluded with MP's who were claiming for interest payments on completed mortgages ........... "Downing St. is investigating" !!
 
What gets me is that each MP I've heard talk about it say they have broken no rules. I can understand that, but there are a number of guidelines in the green book they are supposed to adhere to, a selection are listed below:


How comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim
will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?

The requirement of ensuring value for money is central in
claiming for accommodation, goods or services – Members
should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant
or luxurious.

Is this expense genuinely incurred by me in my role as a
Member of Parliament as opposed to my personal capacity?

Claims should be above reproach and must reflect actual usage
of the resources being claimed.


Now for the most important point: You've probably heard a number of MP's stating they sought advice about claiming and were told to do so, well....

Individual Members take personal responsibility for all expenses
incurred, for making claims and for keeping records, even if the
administration of claims is delegated by them to others.


All of the above are from the Green Book which is an MP's guidelines for expense claiming. It can be found here:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/MPs-Expenses-Row-A-Look-Inside-The-Green-Book---What-Ministers-Can-Claim-And-What-They-Cant/Article/200905215278017?lpos=UK_News_Article_Related_Content_Region_8&lid=ARTICLE_15278017_MPs_Expenses_Row%3A_A_Look_Inside_The_Green_Book_-_What_Ministers_Can_Claim_And_What_They_Cant
 
Last edited:
What the paper didn't expose, is the 3 sheep, 2 cows, 20 quarters of grain, 2 tubs of armour polish and 20 gold sovereigns paid to the mounted knight he had on guard too :p
 
My MP posted on facebook about his expenses being well within the rules, ethical, etc and then a bunch of people said thanks. WTF? Thanking him for not robbing us blind?

Just goes to show how low our expectations have sunk :(
 
My MP posted on facebook about his expenses being well within the rules


That's just the thing, there are really only guidelines, the rules are so vague and they expect the MP to exercise a modicum of common sense.
Sadly, common sense seems to be lacking somewhat.
 
It's very interesting this thing about the MPs saying the fees office said it was ok so it must be ok.

We were given a compliance review by HMRC a few years ago and they picked up on the way we paid for long term sickness insurance. (The beneficiary was the individual but the company paid for it, on the basis that we would stop paying the wages when the insurance kicked in)

We had asked the HMRC inspector some years before about this and he had said it was ok, so we were shocked to be fined and surcharged over it.

When we asked why when we made a mistake we got fined and when they made a mistake they just got to say, "oh that's wrong" we were told it was our responsibility to get it right.

That's the rules for mere mortals, obviously MPs don't have that trouble.
 
Back
Top