Morning:
14°c
Most MPs are dishonest over expenses, say public
Paul Waugh and Nicholas Cecil25.03.09
AN overwhelming majority of the public believe most MPs make "dishonest" expense claims and want the system scrapped, a poll claims today.
But the PoliticsHome.com survey also found that voters think MPs should get higher salaries to remove the need to make complicated claims for second homes and other costs. The poll, shown exclusively to the Evening Standard, came as a former Whitehall chief in charge of MPs' pay launched a scathing attack on politicians who hide behind Commons rules to claim large sums.
Sir John Baker, chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body until last year, criticised MPs such as Tony McNulty and Jacqui Smith, who have said they acted within the rules.
In a letter in today's Times, Sir John states: "For any MP to argue that a claim for expenses (to be met by the taxpayer) is acceptable because 'it is within the rules' misses the main point. MPs should voluntarily but unequivocally give up their rights in the matter of determining their expenses."
The Minister for London and the Home Secretary are facing inquiries into their expense claims, while anti-sleaze watchdogs have ordered a wide-ranging review of the system.
Today's poll, which was carried out after the McNulty row erupted, says that 86 per cent of voters believe MPs' expenses and pay are "too generous" and 68 per cent think at least half make "dishonest" expense claims, with scepticism spread across supporters of all the main political parties.
Yet there is also support for ditching expenses and rolling allowances into a bigger salary for all MPs. Some 47 per cent back the idea.
The poll, which surveyed 1,186 voters between 23 and 24 March, found that only 10 per cent felt that MPs' pay and expenses were "just right".
Reader views (2)
MP'S have brought shame on the house of commons with their dodgy claims for expenses.honourable members idont think so more like dishonest have they no shame or self respect just 1 honest mp ? is there not one
- E W, United Kingdom
I am claiming unemployed benefit which dont help me much cause i want to claim expenses for traveling to jobs and interview but according to the system you have to have the interview first have proof then claim it after. But what if you havn,t got the money to travel to the interview and you are pretty confident you have a fifty fifty chance have getting your foot in the door. Its taxpayers who pay my for my unemployed benefit if i was to say for argunent sake do a cash in hand job if i get caught it is classed as fraud.
So my argument is why should mps be dishonest with taxpayers money and get away with it.you may dress it up however you want or pay it back its fraud in my book they should be prosecuted, to me its as if they have their own laws for the rich. i am disgusted to be british, i wont vote this year and if any body knock on my door hoping to get my vote woe betide thsts all i am saying.
- Gary Cooper, gloucester, england
