Law Makers and Rule Breakers
Essential reading for anyone with a good sense of humour - are the rules governing MPs expenses. These are set out in the Palace of Westminster’s ‘Green Book’ and - to be fair - many of the rules are sound and sensible.
In particular, Rules 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 – seem like good old-fashioned common sense.
But what’s gone wrong is that for years MPs - in their droves, not just the odd one or two – have been ignoring, bending and breaking the rules - with impunity.
We have neither the time nor inclination to name all of the wrong doers – but in areas where low paid workers are still fighting for justice on equal pay – no doubt people will be interested in how their own MP has behaved – and whose noses have been in the trough.
So, we plan to publish a few case studies in the weeks ahead.
Meantime here are the Green Book principles that were supposed to underpin MPs expenses claims:
1. Claims should be above reproach and must reflect actual usage of the resources being claimed.
2. Claims must only be made for expenditure that it was necessary for a Member to incur to ensure that he or she could properly perform his or her parliamentary duties.
3. Allowances are reimbursed only for the purpose of a Member carrying out his or her parliamentary duties. Claims cannot relate to party political activity of any sort, nor must any claim provide a benefit to a party political organisation.
4. It is not permissible for a Member to claim under any parliamentary allowance for anything that the Member is claiming from any other source.
5. Members must ensure that claims do not give rise to, or give the appearance of giving rise to, an improper personal financial benefit to themselves or anyone else.
6. Members are committed to openness about what expenditure has been incurred and for what purposes.
7. Individual Members take personal responsibility for all expenses incurred, for making claims and for keeping records, even if the administration of claims is delegated by them to others.
8. The requirement of ensuring value for money is central in claiming for accommodation, goods or services – Members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious.
9. Claims must be supported by documentary evidence, except where the House has agreed that such evidence is not necessary.
Nothing wrong with this set of principles – you might be tempted to say – and you’d be right. The problem is that they have been treated with so much contempt for so long - by so many ‘honourable’ members.
In particular, Rules 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 – seem like good old-fashioned common sense.
But what’s gone wrong is that for years MPs - in their droves, not just the odd one or two – have been ignoring, bending and breaking the rules - with impunity.
We have neither the time nor inclination to name all of the wrong doers – but in areas where low paid workers are still fighting for justice on equal pay – no doubt people will be interested in how their own MP has behaved – and whose noses have been in the trough.
So, we plan to publish a few case studies in the weeks ahead.
Meantime here are the Green Book principles that were supposed to underpin MPs expenses claims:
1. Claims should be above reproach and must reflect actual usage of the resources being claimed.
2. Claims must only be made for expenditure that it was necessary for a Member to incur to ensure that he or she could properly perform his or her parliamentary duties.
3. Allowances are reimbursed only for the purpose of a Member carrying out his or her parliamentary duties. Claims cannot relate to party political activity of any sort, nor must any claim provide a benefit to a party political organisation.
4. It is not permissible for a Member to claim under any parliamentary allowance for anything that the Member is claiming from any other source.
5. Members must ensure that claims do not give rise to, or give the appearance of giving rise to, an improper personal financial benefit to themselves or anyone else.
6. Members are committed to openness about what expenditure has been incurred and for what purposes.
7. Individual Members take personal responsibility for all expenses incurred, for making claims and for keeping records, even if the administration of claims is delegated by them to others.
8. The requirement of ensuring value for money is central in claiming for accommodation, goods or services – Members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious.
9. Claims must be supported by documentary evidence, except where the House has agreed that such evidence is not necessary.
Nothing wrong with this set of principles – you might be tempted to say – and you’d be right. The problem is that they have been treated with so much contempt for so long - by so many ‘honourable’ members.
