Dear All
Yesterday, multi millionaire Tory leader, David Cameron has pledged to end MPs' subsidised alcohol and food.
This was a nugget from his “big” speech; he did however dodge the really difficult questions in what was gesture politics.
As a member of the public; I have no problem that an MP gets subsidised alcohol and food while being down at Westminister.
If you work away from home then most reasonable people wouldn’t grudge a person a few perks.
These little things make life worth living.
And less we forget taking into account travel and Westminister hours, some MPs work very hard.
Another “vote winner” by Cameron was he wanted to reduce ministerial salaries by 5%.
Could he have not added an extra zero and made it 50%?
Surely that would have made a better statement?
By his own admission; he said it would amount to only a "pinprick" in overall savings.
For the public who will suffer it will be a hole the size of a football.
One measure which he did announce is totally misplaced; he wants to cut the number of MPs in the House of Commons from 645 to 585.
Cameron talks about the public getting representation but at the same time seeks to deny or curtail it by ramping up the pressure and workload on those that remain.
How is that sensible government?
What we have seen is that much of the current problems have been caused by the fact there is a lack of representation.
As part of his savings plans; he announced that he wants to decentralise power, and review quangos.
Each quango will have to pass three tests in order to stay in business or its duties will be returned back to a government department.
Didn’t he just say decentralise power?
One measure I agree with is the end of the MPs' Communications Allowance; this effectively is used by some as a propaganda tool for a political party.
In my area of Glasgow South West; the Labour MP uses it to show himself week in and week out standing besides children’s football teams.
Nothing on what he is done ever appears in a meaningful way.
So; Cameron is under the impression by making a few gestures this will have an impact but what of those who transgressed in the MPs expenses scandal?
For example there is talk that Julie Kirkbride maybe allowed to contest her seat again.
Why is Cameron shying away from publicly say no; she is effectively barred?
Maybe it is because Cameron can’t make tough choices just gestures!
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Yesterday, multi millionaire Tory leader, David Cameron has pledged to end MPs' subsidised alcohol and food.
This was a nugget from his “big” speech; he did however dodge the really difficult questions in what was gesture politics.
As a member of the public; I have no problem that an MP gets subsidised alcohol and food while being down at Westminister.
If you work away from home then most reasonable people wouldn’t grudge a person a few perks.
These little things make life worth living.
And less we forget taking into account travel and Westminister hours, some MPs work very hard.
Another “vote winner” by Cameron was he wanted to reduce ministerial salaries by 5%.
Could he have not added an extra zero and made it 50%?
Surely that would have made a better statement?
By his own admission; he said it would amount to only a "pinprick" in overall savings.
For the public who will suffer it will be a hole the size of a football.
One measure which he did announce is totally misplaced; he wants to cut the number of MPs in the House of Commons from 645 to 585.
Cameron talks about the public getting representation but at the same time seeks to deny or curtail it by ramping up the pressure and workload on those that remain.
How is that sensible government?
What we have seen is that much of the current problems have been caused by the fact there is a lack of representation.
As part of his savings plans; he announced that he wants to decentralise power, and review quangos.
Each quango will have to pass three tests in order to stay in business or its duties will be returned back to a government department.
Didn’t he just say decentralise power?
One measure I agree with is the end of the MPs' Communications Allowance; this effectively is used by some as a propaganda tool for a political party.
In my area of Glasgow South West; the Labour MP uses it to show himself week in and week out standing besides children’s football teams.
Nothing on what he is done ever appears in a meaningful way.
So; Cameron is under the impression by making a few gestures this will have an impact but what of those who transgressed in the MPs expenses scandal?
For example there is talk that Julie Kirkbride maybe allowed to contest her seat again.
Why is Cameron shying away from publicly say no; she is effectively barred?
Maybe it is because Cameron can’t make tough choices just gestures!
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
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