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Debate of the month: is the media coverage of MPs expenses fair?

28 May 2009

We have all been shocked by the revelations in the media about MPs expenses. But is the media coverage of the issues fair?

So far it has been revealed that we are paying for MPs duck islands and moats. No doubt more will be revealed.

  • Are we in danger of turning an important issue into a witch hunt?
  • Is this just an opportunity for politicians and the media to engage in point scoring?
  • Does the media coverage suggest that all MPs are as bad as each other?
  • Or do they all deserve a shake up?

What is your view on this? Have your say, and debate the issue here on PCS comment, and a selection of the comments will be published in View, the monthly magazine for PCS members.

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  1. There's more to come

    25 June 2009

    Chris is quite right to speculate that the future is going to get worse. The row over MP's pay is just another step forward (or backwards, or downwards!) to more unpleasantness, especially for the working class. Things are going to get a lot, lot worse before things recover, and I would estimate that a great many public sector workers are going to be signing on. All this is just typical of the boom or bust cycle of capitalism. Sadly the only ones who are more or less sure of a high pay job (well, for 4 or 5 years at a time) are MP's.

    Lin Black
    There's more to come ........

    24 June 2009

    I think this is just about the last straw but beware there is more to come. First we have the Fat Cats in the 90's creaming off huge salaries and bonuses from companies that were previously nationalised. Then we have the banks becoming greedier and greedier until the whole system is on the verge of collapse only saved by the input of significant sums of taxpayers money. Now we have MPs high-lighted. I say high-lighted because there is no doubt in my mind that this has been ‘going on’ for some years. Perks of the trade no doubt to many. Brought to light by the Torygraph in what I believe to be a cynical attempt to discredit a weakened Government even further and force a general election to get the Tories in. Well let’s hope I’m right because as more and more MP’s across the political spectrum become implicated then it looks certain to backfire. Now just around the corner is a Pension crisis and it won’t be long before one of the best benefits we have as Civil Servants comes under scrutiny yet again. Be prepared for future attacks! Yet again a case against Capitalist mis-management and greed. Who needs wealthy businesses or MPs for that matter especially the ones that just lie and steal! Power to the People!!!

    Chris Hodder
    MPS EXPENSES

    22 June 2009

    I would like the expenses to be checked longer than the last 4 years to see what else comes to light, And don't get me started on the Kinnocks money to date. earned fron the tax payer !!

    JIM PRICE
    Expenses

    16 June 2009

    While people are struggling to survive the MPs should be suitably ashamed of themselves. They can't claim innocence because they aren't innocent. Here is a classic example of why this country is in the state it is in. If the corruption is at the top what hope is there for the rest of us.

    Linda Smith
    expenses!!!

    10 June 2009

    I am so tired of hearing that it the fault of the 'system'. An attempt is being made by MP's to cloud the issue. This is one of dishonesty and greed. It is not a system that filled out these claims but the person. They knew exactly what they were doing and are only sorry it has been revealed. They are not above the law, they are employees of the country and as such should be dismissed and lose all the pensions etc as any other employee would. They can always take the matter before a tribunal and argue the merits, as any employee can. It should not stop there - expenses should be audited for the past 10 years any person overpaid tax credits is automatically sanctioned. There should be no distinction. Why has no one mentione the compound interest lost to the country? - the HMRC levies punitive lost interest against persons over paid. We need to stop thinking in this elitist manner - MP's are employed persons with rights and responsibilities the same as any employee. What I also wonder is what have they actually spent there salaries on? We pay for homes, food, travel, furniture, decoration and remedial works.

    david usher
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