MPs' Expenses

I see that Nadine ('Mad Nad') Dorries is in the news again - only this time she's complaining about the Parliamentary watchdog (IPSA) for launching an investigation into her expenses.

Now I can't get too worked up about that I have to say - because IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) says it has reason to believe that she might have wrongly claimed travel and accommodation costs.

Well either she did or she didn't - and one way or the other the truth will come out.

But what did surprise me was the discovery that MPs who are the sole carer for a child under the age of 21 - who is in full-time education - are entitled to claim up to £2,425 extra in accommodation costs if they register the child as routinely staying at the home in question.

Now why should MPs get extra help with accommodation costs just for having one of their children come stay - what sense does that make?

I find it hard to believe that this is a genuine expense - because to qualify as a work-related expense you would expect there to be some benefit and clear link to an MP doing their job.

On the other hand Nadine Dorries does suffer from an unfair press - over her swanning off to Australia to take part in 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here' - because there are plenty of other, more senior politicians - across all parties - who are much more serious offenders on that score.

Rampant Sexism (12 November 2012)

The Conservative MP for Mid-Befordshire - Nadine Dorries - swans off from the House of Commons for up to 30 days to take part in a celebrity TV programme - which is made in some remote part of Australia.

Result - she gets 'pelters' from all quarters and deservedly so - including from the Deputy Labour Leader - Harriet Harman - while standing in at Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs).

Ms Harman famous for her support of equalities issues even made a lame joke at Nadine's expense - something about the Tory MP having to deal with all kinds of snakes and toads - before she even arrived in the jungle.

So why is the row in the House of Commons so sexist?

Because lots of other MPs swan off when it suits them - including Harriet's Labour colleague and former Prime Minister - Gordon Brown.

Except Gordon is away from his day job for much more time than Nadine Dorries - 70 days a year (every year) in one job alone - at the New York University in Abu Dhabi, for example.

Yet no one says a word - or makes jokes at Prime Minister's Questions.

Maybe they'll start doing so now.

I certainly hope so because it would be a breath of fresh air - and thoroughly deserved.