Here’s How the MPs’ Expenses System Should Work
It should be fairly obvious by now that the MPs’ expenses scandal is both a genuine and big story. In my opinion – for what it’s worth – it’s the biggest political story since Thatcher’s resignation in 1990.
The problem isn’t one that can be solved by simply paying a few of the questionable expenses claims back. Parliament needs to demonstrate that it understands the depth of public’s outrage and its desire for a fully open, accountable and honest legislature.
Here is how I think the system should work.
First, it’s clear that the majority of MPs have a need to be resident in two places: their constituency and in London in order to attend Parliamentary sessions. Their primary home should not be one they can designate; it should always be the one in their constituency.
Second, an MP who has a second income of any kind – salary, investments, rent received, whatever – should be ineligible to receive expenses. If they dedicate their life to being an MP, that’s fine. Second incomes are a blight on Parliament. First of all because they raise a clear conflict of interest, but also because they reduce the amount of time that an MP can dedicate to looking out for their constituents. MPs with second incomes should forfeit their parliamentary pay at 50 pence in the pound for each pound they earn outside parliament. So, if they earn £100,000 outside of parliament, their MP’s salary should be reduced by £50,000.
Third, Parliament should pass a law requiring MPs to have only one income after the general election after next. In the interim, none of the remaining provisions I mention would apply to an MP with a second income.
Fourth, Parliament should establish a pool of housing for MPs in the capital and apartments should be allocated by an independent committee that assesses each MP’s need. Furniture and fittings should be provided by the state and repairs undertaken in the same way. MPs should not be able to make a profit out of the way they use their expenses. MPs whose constituency is within a one hour train journey from Westminster should not be eligible for a pooled apartment. MPs should be free to opt out of this arrangement if they wish, but would not be allowed to claim any of the expense of doing so back.
Fifth, all MPs should receive an Oyster card valid for travel anywhere in London for the period of their tenure. They should also receive a standard class season ticket so that they can travel to and from their constituency by train without incurring expenses. Again, these benefits should not be available to MPs with a second income.
Sixth: MPs’ pay should increase every year at the same rate as the minimum wage.
Seventh: MPs should not be allowed to employ a member of their family or of the family of any other MP as an assistant or researcher or in any other capacity unless they are unpaid.
Eighth: Parliament should pay an MP’s assistants and researchers directly, so there would be no need to submit an expenses claim for them.
There are no grounds on which conscientious, hardworking and honest MPs could object to these proposals. And, frankly, who cares about the others?
The familiar, tired counterargument is that without large salaries and expenses, we’ll put the “best people” off becoming MPs. But, by that argument, we’ve already got the best. In which case, they’ll have no problem whatsoever adjusting their lavish lifestyles so that they can better appreciate the lives of the ordinary people they represent.
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2 Responses to “Here’s How the MPs’ Expenses System Should Work”
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Agree wholeheartedly with your proposals. As a cabby said to me the other day (if there were more people like you in power…)
Anyway, I have always thought that as MPs are public servants there should be a pool of public housing they are allocated in London. Furnishing is done on their behalf to, as you point out, avoid lavish furnishings expenses. If they want plasma TVs and plush chandeliers then they can put it on 4 years interest free like the rest of us. (Not that I have any chandeliers)
If it’s good enough for our service men and women (the majority of my childhood was spent in married quarters) it should be fine by our MPs.
Can YOU be my MP? Totally agree with you on all points.