Tonight:
5°c
London MP: I am up there with Churchill
Evening Standard30 Mar 2009
A LEFT-WING Labour MP has claimed he is "more professional" than Winston Churchill in serving his constituents.
Harry Cohen is MP for Leyton and Wanstead, part of which was in the east London constituency Churchill represented from 1945 to 1964.
Mr Cohen has come under fire over his second home expenses, said to be at least £104,000 over six years despite his constituency being 28 minutes from Westminster by Tube. One report has suggested his total claim could be more than £300,000.
But, shrugging off criticism over his expenses, Mr Cohen insisted: "I am almost certainly the most professional MP Leyton and Wanstead has ever had, and that includes Winston Churchill."
Churchill's grandson, Tory grandee Nicholas Soames, said: "The comparison between Harry Cohen and my grandfather is not one that bears close examination."
Conservative MP Graham Brady said: "I rather like Harry but I would not put him in the Churchill league." Mr Cohen could not be contacted for comment today.
As well as his constituency home, Mr Cohen has a one-bedroom house in Colchester and a static caravan in St Lawrence Bay near Bradwell-on-Sea.
There is no evidence he has breached any Commons rules, but he is facing questions over his use of the housing allowance. Mr Cohen has argued it is a case of "use it or lose it" and that MPs have been encouraged to claim the money, saying second homes expenses were counted as part of MPs' salaries.
Mr Cohen said yesterday: "I am doing nothing wrong whatsoever. I am using it for parliamentary purposes. It is a legitimate and proper use of it."
He said former Conservative minister John Moore had told MPs "go out boys and spend it" when he introduced a big increase of the allowance in the Eighties to head off a pay revolt by backbench Tories.
Reader views (13)
Churchill gave a lifetime of SERVICE to this country, he did not leech from it.
There can be no comparison between Churchill and the vast majority of current politicains, especially the traitors of Britain-hating NuLiebour.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 31/03/2009 09:14
Report abuse
Churchill and Cohen?
I think if Churchill was alive and in power today; he would order the siege of Leyton and Wanstead.
- mickyinlondon, london, 30/03/2009 22:15
Report abuse
Left wing and professional = Oxymoron
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 30/03/2009 22:15
Report abuse
Hmmm, being preached to by rich socialists again.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 30/03/2009 21:28
Report abuse
What a load of spivs , crooks and liars we've got now !
- J B Blackett, Hendon, 30/03/2009 21:02
Report abuse
My history is a bit rusty, but wasn't Churchill left almost bankrupt after being an MP? Another comparison that does make Cohen look good, either . . .
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 30/03/2009 15:14
Report abuse
without doubt, CHURCHILL had many foibles and flaws, but i very much doubt that Harry Cohen has any of the skills and talents that Churchill had. Mr Cohen is possibly better suited to Brick Lane than Westminster with his wide boy approach to expenses.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 30/03/2009 15:04
Report abuse
There is more to come out. It will be toxic. They have all been doing this for years, and that's why they fight like rats in a sack to stay in power, or to gain it. We now know what we should do at the Euro election - because that is a massive gravy train - and then the General election. Do any of you know who uncovered this starting with Derick Conway and the Winterton's? It wasn't the Lib-Dem's, and it's being covered up. Check it out on the net.
- Sylvia, Epping Essex, 30/03/2009 13:28
Report abuse
We need a complete clearout of these MP con artists, a restructured tax system (flat rate), a framework to hold government to account, a bit more honesty from MPs all round and a drive for employment to propel this country out of recession.....am i dreaming
- Wallytrader, London, 30/03/2009 13:28
Report abuse
If the present incumbents are not allowed to claim their expenses then they will not be willing to put themselves forward for election.
We will then be in the situation where the House of Commons will be populated by the second rate, by crooks and by chisellers.
Oh, wait a minute, I think that I may need to think this through again
- Seabee, London UK, 30/03/2009 12:45
Report abuse
I suspect he is saying what many MPs beleive - that expenses are viewed as part of their salary - but a tax free part. The Inland Revenue at the very least should look into these payments as they are tax free. Who else can get payment of this size tax free, but I bet you a pound to a penny they wont. And all this fat cattery comming from a left winger??? No doubt he is critising bankers pay - he has more in common with Fred the Shred than he would admit. Marx and Engles will be spinning in their graves.
But look on the bright side - an election has got to come soon- clear the whole lot out and then a new government can investigate fully these payments, claw back were necessary and tax them.
- Jeremy E, London, 30/03/2009 11:43
Report abuse
I wonder what Chris Grayling, Shadow Home Secretary, spent the £104k that he claimed for his London flat, when his family home is only 17 miles from Westminster!
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 30/03/2009 11:27
Report abuse
The sooner we have a general election the better !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 30/03/2009 11:14
Report abuse
