[Politics] Lord Bassam of Brighton

[mona]

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

Pity you didn't remember that Brighton and Hove were separate councils at that time. The Goldstone was in Hove.

 

[vegster]

Hilarious listening to all the self righteous " holier than thou " whingeing on here. I bet virtually everyone posting here has left work early, falsely claimed overtime/ expenses or stolen from their employer at some time or other... Remember " every other bu@@er does it " is the old refrain.

And don't reply with the old " But he's an elected MP, we expect betterfrom those in high office " ... Just look at all those earning a packet in the City or in exec positions, they are all doing this too, it's called capitalism.

 

[beorhthelm]

the trouble is that the system is based on when MPs and Lords were gentlemen, if they stayed late at Parliament they'd pop back to their pied a terre, round the corner or a 10 minute cab ride. if they had to claim expenses on the lodgings, rent was cheap while staying in a hotel looked a bit elitist. when they came long the Labour MPs had grace and favor places paid for by their unions.

now its a different world, few MPs could afford a property in central London (unless they have one from the 90's). we want MPs to be treated equally, so the MP from Camden* or Brighton are entitled to the same as those from Cardiff or Burrow-in-Furness. so the first thing to sorting this is to break out of that mindset, but no one will, and here we are. *i believe there are some different rules for those in London boroughs, but that doesn't work either because it can be quite difficult/expensive to get the suburbs after midnight.

 

[soistes]

Hilarious listening to all the self righteous " holier than thou " whingeing on here. I bet virtually everyone posting here has left work early, falsely claimed overtime/ expenses or stolen from their employer at some time or other... Remember " every other bu@@er does it " is the old refrain.

And don't reply with the old " But he's an elected MP, we expect betterfrom those in high office " ... Just look at all those earning a packet in the City or in exec positions, they are all doing this too, it's called capitalism.

Given that Bassam has never been an elected MP (as opposed to an unelected peer), it's not clear to me why anyone would reply with that.

 

[vegster]

Given that Bassam has never been an elected MP (as opposed to an unelected peer), it's not clear to me why anyone would reply with that.

I was speaking generally. Thank you for your exactitude in this case, you will go far on here.

 

[pearl]

I thought he was a squatter?

 

[bhanutz]

Bloody Greens....

 

[Weststander]

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.

Good post.

Incredible that another poster thinks this massive misappropriation of our money is OK, because he's certain everyone has left work too early at times or might have worked in the evil City.

 

[vegster]

Good post.

Incredible that another poster thinks this massive misappropriation of our money is OK, because he's certain everyone has left work too early at times or might have worked in the evil City.

It's not ' OK ' but it happens everywhere. Never had a " Cash " job done for you by a builder or a plumber? Everyone squeezes what they can. Can you honestly " Cast the first stone "?

 

[portlock seagull]

One of several people who made the Amex possible. Great man.

But nothing to do with this morally wrong scandal. Doesn’t get him off the hook just because he was doing his job 10years ago. Public servant and all that.

 

[osgood]

It's not ' OK ' but it happens everywhere. Never had a " Cash " job done for you by a builder or a plumber? Everyone squeezes what they can. Can you honestly " Cast the first stone "?

There is a Big Difference in paying cash to a tradesman for services rendered ,
to that of claiming Many Thousands of pounds from the public purse that you are not entitled ...

 

[drew]

There is a Big Difference in paying cash to a tradesman for services rendered ,
to that of claiming Many Thousands of pounds from the public purse that you are not entitled ...

Exactly. To put it into perspective, this allowance was introduced in 2010 (I believe) so he has had 6 years of it. For argument sake let's say it is £36,000 annually, he has received £216,000 over 6 years. If he has only paid out £6,400 in travel annually, that's £38,400. The latter are actual costs incurred so he has profited to the tune of £177,600. Probably not quite as straightforward as that and not taking into account increases in allowances over the years but is it any wonder why he is paying back the travel expenses rather than the allowance!!!!

 

[Buzzer]

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.

Agreed. There's no point trying to make partisan political capital out of these scandals because they all do it. It needs condemning across the board.

 

[Weststander]

Exactly. To put it into perspective, this allowance was introduced in 2010 (I believe) so he has had 6 years of it. For argument sake let's say it is £36,000 annually, he has received £216,000 over 6 years. If he has only paid out £6,400 in travel annually, that's £38,400. The latter are actual costs incurred so he has profited to the tune of £177,600. Probably not quite as straightforward as that and not taking into account increases in allowances over the years but is it any wonder why he is paying back the travel expenses rather than the allowance!!!!

I suspect the least dent to Bassam’s bank balance was the favoured option.

Funny how money corrupts. Wealthy Tories and alleged Socialists found easy access to public money too enticing.

 

[Weststander]

Agreed. There's no point trying to make partisan political capital out of these scandals because they all do it. It needs condemning across the board.

Agreed. Even Ernest can shirley condemn any of these snouts at the trough.

 

[Sirnormangall]

Pity you didn't remember that Brighton and Hove were separate councils at that time. The Goldstone was in Hove.

Yes, of course I remember that. Hundreds of fans were lobbying both councils....... history now.

 

[osgood]

Exactly. To put it into perspective, this allowance was introduced in 2010 (I believe) so he has had 6 years of it. For argument sake let's say it is £36,000 annually, he has received £216,000 over 6 years. If he has only paid out £6,400 in travel annually, that's £38,400. The latter are actual costs incurred so he has profited to the tune of £177,600. Probably not quite as straightforward as that and not taking into account increases in allowances over the years but is it any wonder why he is paying back the travel expenses rather than the allowance!!!!

£216,000,!
tax free too ! , this isnt good enough , just paying back the smaller sum is it , ?
I would suggest that , were Lord Bassam a true socialist ,with a modicum of remorse. he should donate this larger sum to the aid of the many homeless in Brighton

 

[London Irish]

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.

Yes not really difficult for lefties to condemn Bassam. Not exactly one of us is he. This should be a resignation matter, and the press would make sure it would be if it was a Corbyn supporter. Suspect as he isn’t the story will quickly be forgotten about

 

[The Antikythera Mechanism]

Goodbye and good riddance!

 

[HOFNSKIN]

Bassam resigns. Too bent for the new Corbyn regime ?.