Ping-pong with my MP...
Discussion
I sent this my MP recently:
Dear <MP>
Thank you for your letter of 21/05/2009.
May I ask why you feel it is necessary for MP's to own two homes and, hence, claim the second home allowance. Would it not be more cost effective for MP's to rent a room in London. I rent a perfectly adequate room in London which costs me £425.00 per calendar month. Perhaps it is that MP's can have the taxpayers fund the mortage interest payments on the second home and gain a financial advantage when that property is sold.
If that is not the case, then I would welcome a statement from you that any gain that you have made from this arrangment will be either returned to the taxpayer or donated to a local charity.
Thank you for your comments regarding your food allowance. However, I think you misunderstand the issue. It is not about where you need to be in order to be able to fulfill your role, it is why you feel it appropriate for the taxpayer to fund your eating habits. Presumably, you eat when in your constituency and the taxpayer does not pick up the bill. You do not have additional food costs because you are in London - Can you not purcahse cheap food from a local shop near to Westminster?
Since you concede that this was an error of judgment to claim the food allowance, I would welcome a statement that you intend to repay all your food allowance claims, since becoming an MP, in full.
I agree that the current situation is unacceptable and bad for democracy and lay the problem firmly at this Government's door. It is Labour that have been in power for the last 12 years and there has been ample opportunity to sort this problem out.
I am delighted that Michael Martin has announced his resignation. I disagree fundamentally with your view that he has been made a scapegoat. He has spent considerable sums of money trying to keep MP's expense secret. Why? Does he (or you) think that democracy is better served by having such matters not in the public domain?
I am not at all suprised to learn that Labour Members of the House of Lords have been suspended over their conduct. I would welcome your thoughts on the issue and what can be done to clean up this problem.
Labour MP's who have indicated that they will resign over the expenses scandal can look forward to a huge sum of money in terms of the Resettlement Allowance. If wrong-doing has occured, that should be investigated ASAP, and they should be thrown out of the PLP and investigated by the police. It is nothing short of a moral outrage that they will cling on to their sets to the General Election, pocket the Resettlement Allowance and possibly end up in the House of Lords.
Yuors sincerely
Mr. IPSG.GLF
Response today from the House of Commons:
Dear Mr IPSG.GLF
I have made a decision not to reply to the substance of your emails. The fact is that you see me as lacking integrity. Consequently, I am of the belief that whatever I say you will not believe.
Yours sincerely
<MP>
I've phoned her constituency office for a face to face meeting with said MP!
Thoughts, in the meantime, welcome.
Dear <MP>
Thank you for your letter of 21/05/2009.
May I ask why you feel it is necessary for MP's to own two homes and, hence, claim the second home allowance. Would it not be more cost effective for MP's to rent a room in London. I rent a perfectly adequate room in London which costs me £425.00 per calendar month. Perhaps it is that MP's can have the taxpayers fund the mortage interest payments on the second home and gain a financial advantage when that property is sold.
If that is not the case, then I would welcome a statement from you that any gain that you have made from this arrangment will be either returned to the taxpayer or donated to a local charity.
Thank you for your comments regarding your food allowance. However, I think you misunderstand the issue. It is not about where you need to be in order to be able to fulfill your role, it is why you feel it appropriate for the taxpayer to fund your eating habits. Presumably, you eat when in your constituency and the taxpayer does not pick up the bill. You do not have additional food costs because you are in London - Can you not purcahse cheap food from a local shop near to Westminster?
Since you concede that this was an error of judgment to claim the food allowance, I would welcome a statement that you intend to repay all your food allowance claims, since becoming an MP, in full.
I agree that the current situation is unacceptable and bad for democracy and lay the problem firmly at this Government's door. It is Labour that have been in power for the last 12 years and there has been ample opportunity to sort this problem out.
I am delighted that Michael Martin has announced his resignation. I disagree fundamentally with your view that he has been made a scapegoat. He has spent considerable sums of money trying to keep MP's expense secret. Why? Does he (or you) think that democracy is better served by having such matters not in the public domain?
I am not at all suprised to learn that Labour Members of the House of Lords have been suspended over their conduct. I would welcome your thoughts on the issue and what can be done to clean up this problem.
Labour MP's who have indicated that they will resign over the expenses scandal can look forward to a huge sum of money in terms of the Resettlement Allowance. If wrong-doing has occured, that should be investigated ASAP, and they should be thrown out of the PLP and investigated by the police. It is nothing short of a moral outrage that they will cling on to their sets to the General Election, pocket the Resettlement Allowance and possibly end up in the House of Lords.
Yuors sincerely
Mr. IPSG.GLF
Response today from the House of Commons:
Dear Mr IPSG.GLF
I have made a decision not to reply to the substance of your emails. The fact is that you see me as lacking integrity. Consequently, I am of the belief that whatever I say you will not believe.
Yours sincerely
<MP>
I've phoned her constituency office for a face to face meeting with said MP!
Thoughts, in the meantime, welcome.
Edited by ipsg.glf on Thursday 18th June 17:02
Her reply should have actually been the following:
Dear Sir.
Why do you fill your emails with lots of long words, sentences and para thingys? I find it hard to read them on my expenses paid smart phone and my head hurts.
The labour government is listening to the people and we will be fixing all of the problems soon. Please remember, this is a global problem and I agree that it looks bad.
Also, the BNP are racists!
Regards Labour person.
Dear Sir.
Why do you fill your emails with lots of long words, sentences and para thingys? I find it hard to read them on my expenses paid smart phone and my head hurts.
The labour government is listening to the people and we will be fixing all of the problems soon. Please remember, this is a global problem and I agree that it looks bad.
Also, the BNP are racists!
Regards Labour person.
Einion Yrth said:
ipsg.glf's M.P. said:
The fact is that you see me as lacking integrity. Consequently, I am of the belief that whatever I say you will not believe.
She's right though, isn't she?But ipsg.glf has clearly done a great job of winding her up. Excellent work.
Einion Yrth said:
ipsg.glf's M.P. said:
The fact is that you see me as lacking integrity. Consequently, I am of the belief that whatever I say you will not believe.
She's right though, isn't she?The problem I have is that, as a constituent, I expect a response to my questions. Is that too much to ask?
I think she just wants to avoid having to answer the question about wheterh she will repay the cash.
Edited by ipsg.glf on Thursday 18th June 17:19
ipsg.glf said:
elster said:
Send them to the local paper.
Get them to print a story about how the local MP is unwilling to answer your questions.
Face to face first and see what she has to say. That is if she will grant me an audience. Get them to print a story about how the local MP is unwilling to answer your questions.
Can you not just turn up then? I'd also bring a "friend" with you. Who happens to be a journo.
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