[Politics] Lord Bassam of Brighton

[The Large One]

Sorry Al, impossible to tell from your post to ascertain whether your for/against/fence-sitting on the claims Lord Bassam has been making since 2010.

Does it matter whether I am for or against it? Just putting a tad more meat onto the bone.

We all know he's Labour Chief Whip in the House of Lords. As if that had anything to do with anything.

You might have done, others said they didn't know.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I’ve got Ivor Caplin and slum-landlords.

Presumably the slum landlords are the ones dangling those who displease them by their ankles over the front row of the 1901?

 

[The Birdman]

Well, sort of. He's New Labour, and was responsible for driving out the left from Brighton Labour Party in the 80s, when he was leader of Brighton Council.
I understand he's also, for what it's worth, quite a keen Albion fan - saw him at the recent Swansea away match, for example.
Maybe he's on a scam for his loyalty points too...

he needs do it again they taken over.

 

[The Birdman]

Wish Norman was in the WSU I'll give shove and he can join the 1901 with a free entry he cost the club Millions.

 

[timbha]

Played cricket with Ivor for many years for patcham and in the various leagues. Good friend.

At least Bassam has accepted the "error of his ways". I recall Caplin refusing to repay about £20k of interest on a 2nd mortgage which he had received but wasn't entitled. Nice lot these politicians aren't they?

 

[larus]

Am I right to assume that the ‘lefties’ on here don’t want to say a bad word about Lord Bassam because he’s a Brighton fan?

He’s been caught stealing from the country (fraud is theft), yet so many seem to be saying that as he’s paid it back and won’t do it again that it’s OK. Glad they’re consistent in their view on politician behaviour.

 

[osgood]

sure that Anthony Charles Lynton Blair , would be miffed, if his appointed , Lord Bassam , would be on the take like this ...!

 

[Weststander]

Am I right to assume that the ‘lefties’ on here don’t want to say a bad word about Lord Bassam because he’s a Brighton fan?

He’s been caught stealing from the country (fraud is theft), yet so many seem to be saying that as he’s paid it back and won’t do it again that it’s OK. Glad they’re consistent in their view on politician behaviour.

His support of the Albion is irrelevant.

Claiming both the full daily travel for the commute AND London accomodation allowances, is abuse of the public purse for personal financial enrichment.

If this was a non Albion supporting local MP everyone would condemn them.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Don't remember him being much of a fan, given his position of influence on the council, when the Goldstone was being sold.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

You're lucky. I've got a recently-deposed local Tory MP in the same row as me.









(seems a decent enough bloke to be fair)

So the Socialist is in the 1901 and the Tory in the North stand?

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

If this was a non Albion supporting local MP everyone would condemn them.

And if he was a Tory, heaven help him.

 

[drew]

Am I right to assume that the ‘lefties’ on here don’t want to say a bad word about Lord Bassam because he’s a Brighton fan?

He’s been caught stealing from the country (fraud is theft), yet so many seem to be saying that as he’s paid it back and won’t do it again that it’s OK. Glad they’re consistent in their view on politician behaviour.

Wrong, I'll condemn him. He shouldn't be paying back the travel expenses though. He should be paying back the larger allowance. The latter is, I believe, paid in anticipation of the 'Lord' having to stay in London. As he didn't and claimed for the travel back to Brighton then as the travel expenses are what he incurred then that's what he should keep. Shouldn't make a profit out of the public purse. Thought this had been sorted many years ago.

Another question that should be asked is why were the travel expenses paid in the first place? Surely the powers that be are fully aware of which members of the House of Lords receive the Lords office holders allowance and shouldn't accept travel or accommodation expenses from them.

 

[The Large One]

Am I right to assume that the ‘lefties’ on here don’t want to say a bad word about Lord Bassam because he’s a Brighton fan?

He’s been caught stealing from the country (fraud is theft), yet so many seem to be saying that as he’s paid it back and won’t do it again that it’s OK. Glad they’re consistent in their view on politician behaviour.

What does being a 'leftie' have to do with this?

Don't remember him being much of a fan, given his position of influence on the council, when the Goldstone was being sold.

It wasn't obvious at the time that he was. But having said that, it was outside his remit. The club may well have carried the name of two towns, but the nonsense going on didn't actually involve Brighton Borough Council. I recall him canvassing in his ward in which I lived (Tenantry ward, in those days), and asked him about it - and he basically pointed out that it was a Hove Borough Council issue.

So the Socialist is in the 1901 and the Tory in the North stand?

Which socialist is this?

 

[clapham_gull]

"Expenses" are the problem.

I totally agree with the above argument that is someone is getting a "top up" because they live outside of London and travelling home to Brighton, it's the top up they should be paying back not the train fairs.

They aren't that many of them (Lords and MPs) and I fathom how they are unable to police it.

House of Lords to Victoria.. easy

Brighton to Victoria.. easy too.

Pay them enough to cover the travel. If he can't get home (or it's late) book a hotel through a central booking facility.

Why on earth would you pay a top up "just in case" you need a hotel.

Ridiculous.

 

[Boston28]

Went to school with his son from nursery all the way through to the end of high school and he is a lovely bloke, spent many a day after school being amazed by such a big house in Brighton when living in a council house with my parents. Couldn’t believe this when reading it because he and his family seemed to have always been hard working honest people to me growing up with them.

 

[Chicken Run]

At least Bassam has accepted the "error of his ways". I recall Caplin refusing to repay about £20k of interest on a 2nd mortgage which he had received but wasn't entitled. Nice lot these politicians aren't they?

Iirc there was an interesting story run by one of the red tops many years ago about Ivor.....

 

[Deleted User X18H]

He played a significant part in getting the club to the Amex. He couldn’t intervene when Hove Council rejected the planning application for part retail park extension at the Goldstone in 1992? He was part of Brighton Council the two were very separate in those days.

He’s admitted he is in the wrong and agreed to reimburse.

That’s it really isn’t it?

Oh he squatted somewhere in Queens Park when he was a student in the early 70’s.

 

[drew]

He played a significant part in getting the club to the Amex. He couldn’t intervene when Hove Council rejected the planning application for part retail park extension at the Goldstone in 1992? He was part of Brighton Council the two were very separate in those days.

He’s admitted he is in the wrong and agreed to reimburse.

That’s it really isn’t it?

Oh he squatted somewhere in Queens Park when he was a student in the early 70’s.

Not really. He has opted to pay back the expenses he incurred rather than the higher allowance he received and to me that stinks of lack of integrity. He has still milked the public purse.

 

[Lower West Stander]

His support of the Albion is irrelevant.

Claiming both the full daily travel for the commute AND London accomodation allowances, is abuse of the public purse for personal financial enrichment.

If this was a non Albion supporting local MP everyone would condemn them.

This.

I have a longer commute to work than him Monday to Friday. And find no problem in getting home after working late if I need to. If this involves a £100 Travelodge every so often then so be it. Much as I'd love it, I can't afford a 2nd home in London.

He's taking the piss, no more no less. And in my book he can do one.






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[TWOCHOICEStom]

Whilst every other wanker in the world gets reimbursed for their expenses, it mustn't half be nice to just get an extra 30k in your pay packed to cover the costs eh...