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MPs demanded a pay rise in compensation today as they reacted angrily to stringent curbs on their expenses.
Sir Christopher Kelly unveiled plans to axe perks such as mortgages on second homes and “golden goodbyes”.
But within minutes the battle began to water down his plans. Commons Leader Harriet Harman suggested that they would be shaped by the new independent standards authority.
Sir Christopher said he was “mystified” by Ms Harman's remarks and it would be a “shame” if his reforms, which will save the taxpayer about
£10 million, were amended.
He added: “There is always wriggle room, we are
talking about politicians after all.”
Sir Ian Kennedy, the new chairman of the authority, hinted that he would take voters' views into account more than MPs'. Speaker John Bercow wrote to all MPs warning them to accept the plans in full.
Reader views (23)
As a taxpayer,thus their boss,I have decided that since the country has been handed over to Europe and the European MPs will be doing 50% of the work UK MPs were doing,they will now have to accept a 50% reduction on their pay.
- Dave, london, 05/11/2009 10:36
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All animals are equal, except that some are more equal than others! Welcome to the pigsty that called parliament.
- Tojo, Hythe, Kent, 05/11/2009 08:23
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They should try to live on a State Pension,In a fair country some of them would go to Jail for corruption.
- Stan White, leeds, 05/11/2009 07:45
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It seems that this generation of MPs are beneath contempt & incapable of understanding the loathing with which they are viewed.Having taken public money which should have gone to more worthy causes by abuse of an unpoliced system,most of the thieves are to keep their loot and believe they deserve a payrise to compensate them as this avenue is closed.
Does one need to be thief to be an MP or does one become a thief on election?
- Peter Dickins, audierne, 05/11/2009 07:38
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How can I put this? If you don’t like the pay you are getting now, then leave and get another job. Or are you worried that no one will employ you? Most of you wouldn’t know what it is to ‘earn’ a living, all you understand is getting as much as you can as quickly as you can before you are thrown out. And if you think for one minute, paying the money back will mean you are off the hook, then think again. We know who you are, and we know what you have done. And no amount of saying you are sorry will make any difference what-so-ever. So get used to it.
- Sylvie, Epping Essex, 05/11/2009 00:08
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There is a case for a pay rise if all the expenses are removed.
However, I would prefer to see our MPs focusing on the country instead of their own bank balance. Last time I checked, we are in the worst recession for a century and people are being murdered on the streets.
- John, E14 London, 04/11/2009 23:32
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A pay rise? Hardly in the spirit of the game. They now want to rip us off legally? They cannot see that this is just as bad?
No way.
- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester, 04/11/2009 23:05
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UNBELIEVABLE!! These cheating, lying, scheming scumbags just don't get it do they? They do not understand the level of anger that we all feel. They do not understand the injustice of their collective actions. They do not understand that it isn't about rules it is about the best and effective use of taxpayers money - by the way I think profits on funded second homes should be paid back to the public purse not just the tax on the capital gain. So if I get this right I can ***** my company out of expenses, get caught and then I can ask for a pay rise?! Let us the public have our say at the next election. Whatever party you support, research whether your current MP supports this. If he or she does, then vote someone else in. Simple then. They can feel free to vote this in, but they will then not benefit from it next term.
- Daytonax, Greenford, London, 04/11/2009 21:49
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A sinking ship will always surface with pleas of every man for himself.
It makes the Titanic look like a drop in the ocean.
- Max, Kensington, London, 04/11/2009 21:47
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When will the politicians get the message: WE DON'T TRUST YOU - YOU HAVE BETRAYED YOUR ELECTORATE, YOUR COUNTRY AND THE INTEGRITY OF PARLIAMENT. If they won't listen to the public, who will they listen to? The media needs to start shouting loudly in their faces, even if they've got their faces in their troughs. Still, the perception in Westminster is "We've done nothing wrong" in the deepest and worst recession ever, these so-called right honourables are rubbing peoples noses in it, just as Marie Antoinette's 'Let them eat cake' comment did. Please! Sky! BBC! Anyone! If they won't listen to us - make them listen to you.
- Joannie, Newham, London, 04/11/2009 21:43
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oink! oink! snouts in the trough !!!!
- Frank Doberman, Catford, 04/11/2009 20:37
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As these MPs have been employing their wives and other relatives then that would mean that the wives and relatives would have to pay tax on their "earnings" or do they actually handle any cash. If this practice is barred then whats to stop the relatives finding friends to take over and share the spoils. They will find ways round the restrictions you can be sure.
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK, 04/11/2009 19:35
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excuses,excuses ,they should pay back every penny or get lost.
- Fodil, london, 04/11/2009 19:21
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If 'they' change one single thing in their favour,this country will go into meltdown.... civil war even... go on Harman, I dare you.
- Mj, East Anglia, 04/11/2009 18:18
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You don't like the deal? Get out.
Mp's know very well that they have had too much
for too long. 2nd homes, flipping etc and a huge favorite
of DH Lawrence and gardeners, chuck in a few jaffa cakes and they are happy plus more holiday time than teachers!
- Macdangler, Wimbledon SW19, 04/11/2009 17:44
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So is this matter now on a satisfactory course to resolution and may we look forward to the prevailing influence of a truly independent and unbiased "Independent Standards Authority ? Can we hell !
Much moaning and manipulation is still to come.
- Peter, Ipswich UK, 04/11/2009 17:10
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If they don't like it they can stand down when the election comes. They'll be plenty of candidates willing to accept these new rules and fighting to replace them.
- John, Bromley, 04/11/2009 17:01
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Most of them wont have to worry about a pay rise as they wiil be getting the boot, right into the rubbish tip where the be long.
- Alex., brighton, 04/11/2009 16:49
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H.Harman will say anything if she thinks that will make her popular with the party.To hell with the public after all we don't count except at election time!! always thought that labour meant work that shower should be investigated by the trading standards officers a clear case for the trade description act.The country will erupt if that mob vote themselves a pay rise.Who else has a decent salary and loads of perks?MPs had the cheek to say that pensioners could not have an extra quid because the country could not afford it whilst allocating themselves a hefty rise in their pensions.The sooner they are all thrown out the better.But I guess Brown will cave in to his MPs to try and keep his well paid job for a little longer.Hands up all those that would employ this lot? none I thought so.
- Maddy, Gedney Drove End UK, 04/11/2009 16:45
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What a load of devious, hypocritical, bone-idol, good-for-nothing parasites there are loitering within the House of Conmen.
Now that the UK is to be known as EUSSR and Brussels will call the tunes on legislation for the British, it follows that we can now dispense with at least 500 MP's.
End of story.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 04/11/2009 16:19
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So they want to be compensated because they cannot fleece the tax payer anymore. These people are scum.
- Mick, London, England, 04/11/2009 16:14
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And who pray tell Harriet Harman will be shaping the new independent standards authority?
The shameless greed of these MPs knows no bounds.
- Goggs, London, 04/11/2009 15:57
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Yeah right, while we have all had to go without.
Think again.
This just proves you just can't keep your noses out of the trough, and your only interested in yourselves, feathering your own nests, while everyone else can go and !
- Malc, London,England, 04/11/2009 15:54
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