Within the rules, morally corrupt

MPs of all parties have had their details, some shameful, of their expenses claims laid bare in national newspapers.

With newspapers highlighting the practice of “flipping”, which sees MPs swap their designated second home, so they can claim allowances and some MPs claiming for goods including dog food, reporter Jennifer Hollamby took the issue to shoppers in Oldham to gauge their reaction.


UNDERFLOOR heating, a new LCD TV, two elephant lamps, a CD player, a yucca tree, a Dyson vacuum cleaner, an illuminated make-up mirror and an oven.

All things that you as taxpayers have had to foot the bill for in recent years as the storm of recession has blown into all but the corridors of power.

And Oldhamers offering their verdict this week were less than impressed with the conduct of some of our country’s MPs.

Alice McKenna (76) from Hathershaw, said: “I think all of their money grabbing is ridiculous.

“They should only get money for the running of a second home, not for refurbishing it and buying all their food. They shouldn’t be using our money to sort out dry rot and things like that and you shouldn’t get money for a second home if your main home is only a few miles away.”

Derek Winterburn (69), from Denshaw, said: “They should be using some of that money they are claiming to knock a few pennies off our council tax, especially for us pensioners.

“No matter who is in charge, when they get to those positions of power it’s all about lining their own pockets. And claiming for small things like nappies and dog food is just pure greed. They are in that position because they are supposed to be looking after our interests.”

Patricia Anne (67), also of Denshaw, said: “They say their claims are within the rules, but that certainly doesn’t make it morally right.

“It’s almost like they feel that the normal rules don’t apply to them. They make their own rules, I don’t think it matters to them what the electorate thinks.”

Nicola Sutcliffe (31) said: “I think the whole thing is a disgrace. Some of the things they are claiming for are actually laughable and I think the joke is on us. Some have claimed money for things that cost about £2.

“It’s just mind boggling. They are just being really greedy and they have been allowed to do this for so long that they are now totally taking advantage.

“There never seems to be anyone in Parliament anyway when you watch the news. Perhaps people wouldn’t mind paying as much if they felt like they were getting a really good service from their MPs.

“They do a job which they are well paid for and they shouldn’t be getting paid for things that we have to buy for ourselves like food.

“They should only be paid money for things that they need to enable them to do their job.”

Richard Foden (25) from Thorp in Royton, said: “It’s taking the mickey to claim expenses for things which they need for everyday living like food, when we all have to buy those things for ourselves.

“I accept that some of them need a second home to do their job and it’s fair enough for us to pay the rent and bills for that, but it should be those bare essentials.

“I don’t see how politicians can relate people in places like Oldham when they have access to so much money. They are just getting more and more removed from ordinary people on the street.”

Lesley Parker (42) of Abbeyhills Road said: “No one else would get away with this kind of behaviour and the ones who have abused the system should be made to pay the money back and be sacked.

“They should be put in rented accommodation in the capital and there is certainly no need for luxuries.

“l’m sure that people in other jobs, like senior business people, claim a lot and stay in top-quality hotels when they’re on business trips, but at least this money is not coming from the taxpayer.”

Jean Neath (64), of Chadderton, said: “I worked for 45 years with no time off and I now live on just £120 a week. Some MPs could probably spend that amount of money in an hour. It’s no wonder people don’t vote anymore.”