MP's pay

[Paul Kennedy]

MPs have awarded themselves a three-month summer holiday, increasing it by one week compared to last year.

Politicians, who only returned to work today after a two-week break over Easter, will leave Westminster once again on July 22.

They will enjoy a 12-week holiday in what is bound to raise further concerns about their reputation, according to the London Evening Standard.

 

Their summer holiday alone is more than double the average British allowance of five weeks per year.

 

 

Come the General Election, voters have the opportunity to give some of them a 52 week holiday.

[wolfie]

Is there an option to give ALL of them a 52 week holiday?

[Dizzy]

Do they get paid while they are on holiday leave

 

Considering the state of the things at the moment surely they should ALL be working MORE hours to help sort the mess out rather than going on extended holidays... lazy buggers

 

Saying that half the time you see them all grouped together in the chambers (or whatever it's called) all they ever do is bicker, heckel, groan, point score and act like spoilt pathetic little children or apes at the zoo

[Peter T]

Will they be able to claim expenses whilst on holiday?

[observer]

As MPs from all the three main Parties are "at it"; nothing will change as long as the three main Parties form the majority membership of Parliament - yet another arguement for voting outside the box. The second home scam isn't the only way they're pilfering our money; we also have "the second job" syndrome; whereby Directorships or Consultancies for Companies wishing to influence political decisions abound. Even worse, the mere promise of such lucrative posts on retirement from Government, is a clear conflict of interest and a key into the decision making of Government Ministers. Perhaps a "red light" should be hung over every entrance to the Palace of Westminister?

[observer]

PS; notice Gordon's scrapping the additional home allowance, and paying the same amounts out for MPs, just for turning up for work!

[Peter T]

It hasn't been agreed, has it? He dropped the bombshell without any discussion, I believe.

[observer]

Gordon failed to get the agreement of the opposition leaders today, but he's pushing ahead with a vote next week, seems he want's the kudos for cleaning out the stable - problem is, it's the majority of MPs who need cleaning out.

[observer]

Seems Gordon may lose the vote on his proposal to scrap the second home allowances and substitute a ?24,000pa bonus for turning up for work - seems most MPs want to carry on milking the system until they are kicked out at the next election! Simple answer to all this, which the Independent Review could arrive at:- just pay them a salary - period; from which ALL their expenses have to be paid; provide them directly (for their period of office) with halls of residence in London, an Office, staff and equipment in their constituency - thus giving them no opportunity to fiddle. Plus, as a condition of service, second jobs prohibited and any fiscal involvement with "lobbyists" would constitute a sacking offence - Sorted!