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90 per cent of Tories want Alan Duncan axed for 'rations' complaint
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor14.08.09
Tory activists today demanded that Alan Duncan be sacked as David Cameron tried to get back on the front foot over the MPs expenses row.
A poll by the ConservativeHome website found that 90 per cent of members wanted the Shadow Commons Leader to be moved from his post.
Mr Duncan, who sparked a furore by claiming MPs were being forced to live on "rations", was also under fresh pressure as his constituency chairman admitted not all local members were supporting him.
When asked by the BBC if the MP had the backing of the Rutland and Melton Conservative Association, chairman Michael Rook replied "Yes and No".
In response to public anger over the expenses affair, Mr Cameron has drafted plans for deep cuts in ministerial pay under a Tory government.
Under one option, Cabinet ministers would see their salaries slashed by 25 per cent as part of a wider move to show that the new administration was prepared to "take a financial hit" in the downturn.
The party faced a further headache after Tory MP Anne Main won the overwhelming support of her local party last night in a deselection vote prompted by the expenses scandal.
The St Albans MP had allowed her grown-up daughter to live rent-free in a taxpayer-funded flat.
However, senior Tory sources said that Ms Main still faced the axe if there was even a hint of criticism when the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner reports on her case.
Mr Duncan's political future is still in doubt following his public dressing down by Mr Cameron yesterday.
Party insiders say he may have to switch jobs given his leading role in the clean-up of Parliament.
The poll by ConservativeHome.com found that 65 per cent want Mr Duncan to resign, 55 per cent want him sacked, and 90 per cent say he should be moved in a pre-election reshuffle.
Ms Main said she was "absolutely delighted" after being backed by 144 votes to 20 at the deselection vote.
The Tories have a majority of 1,361 over Labour in St Albans with the Lib-Dems close behind in third and some activists fear the sleaze row could cost them the seat at the next election.
However, the constituency chairman who had urged Ms Main to quit was forced to resign herself following the result.
One local Tory, retired company director Trevor Fox, 62, said: "She's been a very good MP. At the end of the day a lot of MPs have been naughty, maybe she bent the rules a bit but trying to unseat her is ridiculous."
Reader views (8)
"100 per cent of the electorate want this odious creep to be sacked - and Nadine Dorries, Anne Maine, and all the other crooks who have stolen from the public purse.- R.F., Yorks, UK"
Obviously not, given the reselection votes of constituency members in at least one instance. This is why fraudulent claims, when proven, should be treated as crimes. Then, if found guilty in a court of law, not some committee hearing by fellow MPs and professional government administrators, make it illegal (if it isn't already) for convicted criminals to be MPs.
Ok, so it ain't gonna happen. It's a nice dream though, isn't it?
- Rogan, Irving
What the public wants, the public doesn't get.
What MPs want, MPs always get.
- Michael Boughton-Fox, Cambridge England
@Reuben: do you realise that if you parade your fantasies as factual statistics, it simply makes your opinions look utterly vacuous?
- Charlie, Soho, London
I suspect that a lot of people would like Alan Duncan axed for his "rations complaint". He seems to have forgotten that he was elected to represent his constituents best interest, not his own. If he doesn“t like the financial arrangements, he should go immediately. No matter, I am sure the electorate will make short work of him at the next election.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Why not provide MP's accomodation in London, perhaps a block of flats - propert of the government/taxpayer, each MP is given one whilst in office, at the end of his or her term the flat then is used by another MP? If they don't want to use the "government" flat then let them pay their own rent/mortgages. Least that way it should cut down on the ridiculous amounts claimed by MPs. No doubt there'd be some difficulties initially but long term wouldn't it be a sound investment?
- Jamie Alexander, United Kingdom
I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD WRITE THIS, BUT AS FAR AS I CAN UNDERSTAND IT, ONLY THE RICH COULD AFFORD TO BE IN PARLIAMENT. TO BUY THE CHEAPEST TWO BEDROOM FLAT IN LONDON ONE HAS TO HAVE A DEPOSIT OF AT LEAST £60000, MAYBE MUCH MORE. THEN ONE WOULD BE BUYING A PROPERTY IN ONES CONSTITUENCY. ADD FOR A SMALL FAMILY, NURSEY CARE , AND I JUST DO NOT SEE HOW THE FINANCES ADD, UP. PERHAPS IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BUILD COUNCIL FLATS FOR MPS IN LONDON.
AFTER ALL , IF THEY HAVE A JOB, THE YOUNG HAVE LITTLE OR NO CHANCE OF EVER OWNING PROPERTY IN LONDON.
WHY NOT MOVE PARLIAMENT TO, SAY HULL OR MARGATE.
- Alan Green, Woodford Green
Joe Public wants to see 90% of MP's permanently removed from the House of Conmen.
NEVER IN LIVING MEMORY HAVE WE HAD SO MANY PARASITES IN POWER.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
100 per cent of the electorate want this odious creep to be sacked - and Nadine Dorries, Anne Maine, and all the other crooks who have stolen from the public purse.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
