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Crisis? What crisis? MPs take a 12-week holiday
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent20 Apr 2009
MPs have awarded themselves an extra week's summer holiday — in the middle of the worst recession for a century.
Politicians, who returned to work today after a two-week Easter recess, will be away from Westminster again on 22 July for a 12-week break, raising further questions over their reputation.
On top of the economic crisis, there has been a constant stream of accusations of sleaze and greed.
The Prime Minister was urged to order a cut in the 82-day break which was attacked by the Tories, Liberal Democrats and Labour MPs.
The backlash against the long recess, which is a week more than last year and the longest since 2001, came amid Opposition claims that the Government has run out of ideas and is keeping MPs away from Westminster to avoid trouble.
Shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan said: “Gordon Brown's government is clearly running out of steam. Rather than ministers packing their bags early and heading off to the beach, MPs should be staying here to scrutinise this failing team. There is no justification for this recess being longer than last year.”
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg added: “In the context of the worst recession this country has faced in decades and plummeting faith in politicians, people will be stunned that Parliament is not sitting for 82 days.”
However, Commons Leader Harriet Harman, who agreed the recess with Chief Whip Nick Brown and other government “business managers”, defended the recess. Her spokesman said: “A number of factors are taken into account when decisions are made on the dates of recesses.”
The long summer break was described by some MPs as symptomatic of a lack of purpose in the Commons. A growing number of backbenchers are complaining about a feeling of “drift” in Parliament, due to the lack of legislation. The Queen's Speech was cut to 12 Bills, from the original 18, making it the shortest since Labour came to power in 1997.
Veteran Labour backbencher David Winnick said the holiday should be slashed. “The Government should provide another opportunity for the House to consider this and give a lead in the sense of proposing that it (the recess) should be for six weeks which would take in holiday and constituency work,” he said.
The 12-week break compares with the average British allowance of five weeks a year. MPs will sit in the Commons for 143 working days in the year to the end of October, compared with 150 a year earlier.
Former minister Frank Field, an arch-critic of Mr Brown, attacked the “paucity” of the Government's programme, saying: “Week after week MPs have been turning up but with almost no serious work to do.”
Reader views (71)
One can now understand the reason why the three main parties are continually critical of opposition parties like UKIP, BNP, The Greens and any other opposition party.
MPs` of the three main parties fear that they will lose their golden nest egg if such opposition triumphs.
I have never voted BNP before but will do at the next election should there be a candidate in my constituency.
Hopefully, I would like to see 98% of MP`s of the three main parties lose their seats then put on trial for deceiving the taxpayer! The thieving bunch of hypocrites!
- Banner Of Walsall, Alicante, Spain, 09/05/2009 12:31
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I think this is disgusting
And the MP's have the cheek to complain about Sir Fred Goodwin!!!! They should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves. How can MPs look ordinary people in the face when they vote to have more holiday and pay themselves more (and in all manner of ways) when the ordinary working person is facing pay cuts, longer hours and the threat of redundancy. This Government is shocking but sadly I fear no other party is prepared to shorten MP's holidays as it's too good a meal ticket to give up!!!
As I said at the beginning of this message, this situation is disgusting and because we're so apothetic it just continues to go on - c'mon Fleet Street wakt the nation to this ridiculous situation (unless you want to compaign for 12 week holidays for all)
- Richard, London, 05/05/2009 14:24
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Please don't let us be too synical. We all know that they are over worked and vastly underpaid. Unless they have these long recessess, how else will they be able to get John Lewis in to refurbish the 2nd homes that we pay for?
- Gilly Renshaw, London, England, 21/04/2009 08:16
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Perhaps they should take an additional 40 on top of those 12 and do us all a real favour.
- Keith, Ipswich United Kingdom, 21/04/2009 08:06
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Have MPs ever heard of leading by example? Leading from the front? They ought to read about the Cortina Test (http://is.gd/tBux)'named in honour of a Midlands businessman who, during the 1980s’ recession, traded in his Rolls-Royce for a Ford Cortina'. They might learn a thing or two about team spirit, bonding and working together if they followed the Cortina example.
- Mark Robson, Bracknell, 21/04/2009 06:55
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Oh no - everything will fall apart. Stock up with tins and American dollars ....er .. just get the tins.
- Mr Pastry, Brisbane, 21/04/2009 03:59
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it must be a great life, idling away at Westminster and in Brussels. Vote for your own salary, claim your "I haven't done anything wrong" expenses and take holidays like you're still at school. It's all too convenient for my liking - time all this nonsense stopped methinks.
- Brianonthecam, Cambridge UK, 20/04/2009 23:43
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Just read on "Guido Fawkes" blog, that people are withholding their TV TAX. Some for ten years or more.
Nothing will happen to you , as to have the light shone on TV tax avoidance will expose too much corruption at the BBC, so they are willing to NOT persue people who don't pay the TAX, rather lose a few than let the people know about their 4 BILLION POUND BUDGET .
Wake up Britain, we are all being ripped off and taken for fools.
- Lorren, wareham, 20/04/2009 23:08
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I was always told you'll get the politicians you deserve.. So selfish, self serving, arrogant totally incompetant, lying, cowardly, lazy, two faced, back stabbing, moaning... ring any bells yet... And these are the best you can find for high office... Well some of you must have voted for them!!!
Nuf said
- Ian, New Plymouth. N.Z., 20/04/2009 22:37
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They need time to spend the illgotten funds they rob from the bleeding poor tax payer......anyway what do the entire bunch of losers do for us anyway!!!
- Ian Makin, Twickenham, 20/04/2009 22:15
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If the country can run itself for 82 days without parliament - why not try 365 days?
- Pipedream, Enfield, Middx, 20/04/2009 22:02
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Just change all the locks when they are away for what good they do anyway who needs them?
- Mike, London England, 20/04/2009 18:37
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We have far too many MP's as it is and they should be like many people in the country who have no more than 30 days holiday each year including Bank holidays.Get your arses in gear MP's and work for the people who elect you and pay your wages and for your pensions.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 20/04/2009 18:21
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They need the time to spend all the money they are making and no doubt which they will recharge the taxpayer when they return. On second thoughts Broon,Smith, Harman and Lord Rhumba, Darling et al should perhaps not bother to come back at all and let someone else have a go. How about Vince Cable - he will do a much better job.
- Strongbow Sullivan, Paris,France, 20/04/2009 18:20
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they are blind and deaf to public opinion, politically and morally bankrupt. inept as an institution (whatever colour rosette they wear ((with very few exceptions)) and totally engrossed in their own self serving bean feast at taxpayers expense.
we are buffoons led by buffoons and who is the greater buffoon, us of course for voting them into their sordid little orgy of gorging.
perhaps things will run all the smoother with few politicos to muddy the waters and perhaps we the public will eventually realize we are better off without any of them.
you never know, pigs may yet fly.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 20/04/2009 18:19
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Apart from passing legislation much of which has to be changed by the Lords because the MPs are so bad at their job the other purpose of the Commons is to question and hold Ministers to account for their actions. What Harmen and the Labour Govt is doing is to reduce even further democracy in this country. The other aspect to this is that Gordon Brown has closed down legislation. There are so few bills going through the Commons that MPs have nothing to do. The next Parliamentary year will be even worse as most bills will get axed because of the election.
- Dave, London England, 20/04/2009 18:14
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Now how can Jackie Smith say her main home is in london when she only is in parliment 143 days out 0f 365
- Dave Smith, Croydon, 20/04/2009 17:42
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Time we and they realised that this is a part time job and is paid accordingly!
MP's are elected to represent their constitutents and to hold the government to account.
They will do this better if they spend some time in the real world, working for a living and finding out for themselves what are the effects of their endless legislation and regulation.
The idea that a house or flat costs less if you don't use it all the time is absurd - so we still have to pay for a second hone because we insist that MPs have a house in the consitituency. However, since the Hosue of Commons works day time office hours, London and suburban MPs don't need a home allowance!
- Ian, London Eng, 20/04/2009 17:32
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Coming after last night's Channel-4 examination of the "Westminster Gravy Train" it is difficult to belive that our legislators feel able to extend their time off less than a year before they are knocking on our doors asking to be entrusted with yet another five years. In any event, the next parliamentary year will be truncated by the unavoidable election.
We should all vote for fringe parties in order to reciprocate the contempt for their constituents that so many sitting MPs apparently demonstrate.
- John, Leatherhead, UK, 20/04/2009 17:07
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They just go on and on putting two fingers up in the air to us all. Just had I beleive a large salary increase Snouts in the trough and showing their backside to everyone. What a bunch
Peter
Spain
- Peter French, Orihuela Costa Spain, 20/04/2009 17:05
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Be fair to them, they probably need a long break.
Those 1,000,000+ expense forms don't fill themselves out you know...
- John, London, 20/04/2009 17:01
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What an advert for Parliamentary democracy...
- Danny, London, 20/04/2009 17:00
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So do they still claim expenses for their 2nd homes' while on holiday. No wonder the Home Secetary needs a Barbecue!!
- Tony Johnson, Hythe UK, 20/04/2009 16:51
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What would happen if the opposition came back a week early and had a sit-in.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 20/04/2009 16:45
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Will they still claim all of their work related expenses.
As this is approx. a quarter of the year break they are having then we should see a 25% decrease....... I wish!!!!!
- R King, UK, 20/04/2009 16:38
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The 1 should be replaced by the number 5.That way we would not have to put up with all these lies and Businessmen with working credentials could run the country.
- Harvey Lawrence, London UK, 20/04/2009 16:38
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What an insult to the British public
- Wallytrader, London, 20/04/2009 16:35
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Its good as long as then do not claim salaries just like some of the car manufacturers.
- Prasad, sidcup, 20/04/2009 16:27
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The level of ignorance on this letters section is astounding. Folks, it's PARLIAMENT that's taking a 13-week break. The GOVERNMENT (i.e. Gordon and his ministers) are not. They'll still be around to screw everything up.
- John, Biggleswade, 20/04/2009 16:25
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Frank Field sums it up nicely.
However, as whatever this Government touches turns to crap, perhaps the paucity of its programme is a blessing.
- John, Dorset, UK, 20/04/2009 15:59
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Ahhh poor man Gordon Brown, he needs time to lick his wounds. Whilst he does that maybe the rest of the country that IS employed should take extra time off to review is own problems.
- Tony Islander, Herts, 20/04/2009 15:52
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Perhaps they should take a 52 week a year holiday, then the country might start to recover!
- Stephen, London, 20/04/2009 15:49
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Good riddance!!!!
They should take a year off at full pay but NO allowances. The country will be in much better shape on their return. Who needs them???????? They need us but show no appreciation.
If Parliament were a private sector employer they would all have been sacked by now with a lesser pension cost to the taxpayer.
We are paying over the top for mediocre results.
- Pauli, Oxford, 20/04/2009 15:44
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re: Jon, London, UK
.. and maybe MP's should be clearly visible and active for the 12 weeks in their own constituency and not updating their second homes or involved with their second jobs.
- Joe, Thornton Heath, UK, 20/04/2009 15:34
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Unbelievable!!!
And they want us to vote for them to guide our country - God help us!!
- Anon, London, W1, 20/04/2009 14:45
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I AM UTTERLY AMAZED THEY HAVE NOT INCREASED THERE SUMMER HOLIDAY TO TWENTY WEEKS. AFTER ALL THEY ONLY HAVE TO POP IN TO COLLECT THEIR EXPENSES AND ANNOUNCE A FEW MORE INITIATES TO HELP THE ECONOMY WHICH THEY WILL NOT IMPLEMENT.
NO DOUBT DARLING WILL ANNOUNCE ANOTHER LOAD ON BUDGET DAY. SO FAR OUT OF THE EIGHT MAIN ONES ANNOUNCED THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED TWO.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green, 20/04/2009 14:32
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Much as I dislike labour this is all MPs that voted for an extra week. Not just Labour. This is not a government thing. Also, the 12 weeks is not a holiday. The recess is there to allow MPs to spend time dedicated to constituency affairs.
- Jon, London. UK, 20/04/2009 14:18
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If everyone checked the voting record of their MP and advised him/her that they would not be voting for them in light of their stance on expenses, holidays, second homes etc perhaps MPs would start working for their constituencies rather than for themselves.
- Lm - London, LONDON, 20/04/2009 14:03
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Hey, chill out folks.. They don't take any notice of us at all. Why else would they carry on the way they do?
In the immortal words of Clarke Gable... THEY JUST DON'T GIVE A DAMN"!
So let's not get so aeriated... it just makes them snigger.
Just ignore them. Don't vote. Now THAT really scares them. They'll end up lowering the voting age so far, we'll all end being born with ballot papers in our hands.
- Haskey, London SE1, 20/04/2009 14:03
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No good blaming the government, the opposition are just as guilty. time for a revolution, let the Queen run the Country
- Billy Hirst, Tbilisi Georgia, 20/04/2009 13:40
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No good blaming the government, the opposition are just as guilty, their all a bunch of crooks, time for a revolution, let the Queen run the Country
- Billy Hirst, Tbilisi Georgia, 20/04/2009 13:40
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That seems very fair to me. Provided of course that the rest of the country is granted a minimum 12 week holiday via new legislation before you pack your speedos Gordon.
- Ag, London Village, 20/04/2009 13:38
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I assume they are taking unpaid leave for this extra time.I get my 4 weeks leave,they get more holidays than any other employment.Politicians are scum.Vote all these blood sucking people out of politics once and for all.
- David, london, 20/04/2009 13:26
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The country is broke, a national debt outstripping the one after WWII, a very weak currency, unemployment rising, the deepest recession ever, etc, etc.
What is the priority for politicians? More money, more holidays.
I suppose now that Labour have sold us out to Europe, our government has simply become a regional administrator. Sarkozy's imported French politicians running the show. Thus more time to spend in John Lewis picking out their new plasmas TVs.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 20/04/2009 13:25
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Corporations and companies are making people redundant if they don't have enough work. If MP's have so litle work to do why do we need so many of them.
- Grant Stretch, Guildford, Surrey, 20/04/2009 13:17
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A 12 week holiday is not nearly long enough for our over-worked MPS. I suggest that a large delegation is sent as a matter of urgency on a fact finding tour of the Pacific Islands to discover how fellow Parliamentarians cope.
- James Parkinson, London NW2, 20/04/2009 13:10
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So it's clearly a part-time job. Can we pay them per hour in future?
- Jamal Akhbar, Edinburgh, 20/04/2009 13:10
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Hopefully that'll give the Labour MPs some time to line up a few job interviews . . .
- Roz, France, 20/04/2009 13:08
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these mps are really taking the piss. after watching last nights programme the westminster gravy train on channel 4.the whole system needs an overall. all the mps are doing is benefiting themselves and getting all the perks themselves. what a good job it is to be in . they are so much of of touch with real life.
- Christopher, london, 20/04/2009 13:06
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Bet that they claim their holidays as an expense!
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt, 20/04/2009 13:06
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GBP64,500 p.a. for doing nowt! PLUS another GBP100,000 p.a. (at least) for EXPENSES. PLUS another GBP40,000 for "employing" their spouse. PLUS their Council Tax, Sky TV, bathplugs, pornography and whatever else claimed from the taxpayer.
THEY DESERVE THREE WEEKS ANNUAL HOLIDAY - THE SAME AS JOE PUBLIC.
The time has long gone when MP's represented the interests of the electorate.
PIGS. TROUGH. SNOUTS. FIDDLES. TWIST THE RULES. DECEIVE. SPIN. WAFFLE.
WHAT A PATHETIC GORMLESS BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES IN POWER.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 20/04/2009 12:49
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Perhaps it's not a bad idea to have a 3 month holiday: When they are not at Westminster they can't be doing any damage to the country, and, in New Labours case, it makes it harder for them to get up to mischief with their enemies.
It might keep the Blairites and the Brownites from each others throats
- Graham, Ilford Essex, 20/04/2009 12:49
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Can they still claim expenses on their additional week?, if not that would save a few million quid for the tax payer
- Dc, Ealing, London, 20/04/2009 12:46
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Give all Labour MPs 52 weeks, so they cant do any more damage.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 20/04/2009 12:37
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12 week holiday from doing what, exactly?
- Ruby, West London, 20/04/2009 12:21
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Better they go on a permanent unpaid holiday considering the state of the economy and the scale of the incompetence demonstrated by these selfish Labour Government buffoons. We can rest assured the European Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will continue making a complete hash of things while our wonderful Members Pathetic are away!
Was this what Gordon Brown meant by the recession being an 'enormous opportunity'? He was obviously thinking ahead of his excessively long holidays.
If MP's insist on holidays being the same duration as school holidays then send them back to school on £30 per week. This appears to be fare payment for MP's in the current economic climate and a few detentions might even make them learn to think - but don't hold your breath.
- Joe, Thornton Heath, UK, 20/04/2009 12:10
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Don't forget everyone; they even awarded themselves a 9% pay increase as well.
Labour have gone from being the Robin Hood Party of the working people; to the Dick Turpin Party of everyone.
- Mickyinlondon, london, 20/04/2009 12:08
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This assumes that MPs are there for full days. Monday start late Thursday finish early. Friday - whats a Kriday?
- Dave, London England, 20/04/2009 11:57
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So how do they manage to claim massive second homes allowances for 143 days?
- Al, Kingstown UK, 20/04/2009 11:56
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Only someone in a pointless and unnecessary job could take off 12 weeks and not be missed.
- John Entwistle, Hertford, 20/04/2009 11:55
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My God! Somebody that has more holidays than school teachers. More time for trips abroad at taxpayers expense - yes, just like school teachers.
- Bj, London, 20/04/2009 11:53
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It's probably finally dawned on Nu Liebor that they have run out of time to bring in any major new legislation.
The last legal date Gordon can wait to put off his eviction from No. 10 is 3.6.2010 and that means that any major new Acts have no chance to reach the Statute Books since there wouldn't be enough time to use the Parliament Act to overturn inevitable Lord's rebellions.
So, it's a lame duck PM and a lame duck government. Might as well give them the next year off and then put them out of our misery.
- Thomas, London, 20/04/2009 11:51
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i am so grateful our hard working mp's are back at'work'..phew..and no more 'expenses' stories...
- Jonnie Of Brixton, brixton,london,england, 20/04/2009 11:51
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And they wonder why people can't be botherd to vote. It's a good job there is full employment and we are not in a recession.
- Tony Williams, Sidcup Kent, 20/04/2009 11:47
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Fetch me the hammer, that's another nail in the government's coffin.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 20/04/2009 11:38
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How about a permanent holiday for most of these lying, cheating, thieving bunch of hypocrites? The entire cabinet can probably go for a start. I mean seriously, how much crap do they seriously think people are prepared to put up with?
- Marianne, SW France, 20/04/2009 11:32
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143 days work in a year!!!!! And yet they still manage to spectacularly bankrupt the Country! How about having the whole year off - things couldn't get any worse! Perhaps New Labour should change their tacky anthem from ;things can only get better' to 'Busy doing nothing'
- Gary, amersham, 20/04/2009 10:38
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Think positively folks! They will spending less time interfereing in your lives!
- W R Stevenson, London SE26, 20/04/2009 10:38
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Well done the lot of you - why don't you take the rest of the year off as well?
Labour, Conservative, Liberal or any other - you are all the same and we, the public, do not regard any of you as worthy of our votes.
- Mark, London, 20/04/2009 10:37
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If they have a fixed holiday period during the summer/early autumn, could someone explain to me how we see pictures of them abroad on holiday during the winter. Surely 12 weeks annual leave is far more than the average person gets.
In the real world the most I know of is 6/7 weeks.
amber in Mitcham
- Amber In Mitcham, Mitcham Surrey, 20/04/2009 10:34
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I'd like to give most of them 52 weeks a year ..... unpaid of course.
- Paul, London, 20/04/2009 10:31
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