MPs still don't get it do they

[VeronaSeagull]

BBC News - MP Winterton's anger at first class travel 'ban'

Different type of people in standard class.....yeah, the people who vote for you mate!

 

[CHAPPERS]

I can see his point.

 

[sten_super]

This one certainly doesn't. What an idiot, he really has no idea how people live in the real world does he?

I do like the BBC article though; they let him make himself look stupid and then point out what a crone he is, that he claimed £20k a year rent on a property after he'd paid off the mortgage and transferred ownership to a 'family trust'.

 

[Simster]

I can see his point.

I can't. Surely he could still travel first class and pay the difference out of his own pocket?

Loads of businesses have had to downgrade the travel they offer their own staff. Why not MPs?

 

[CHAPPERS]

I didn't say I agreed, I said I could see his point.

 

[beorhthelm]

he does have a point. MPs expenses should be little different to that of a typical business senior executives. theres nothing wrong with them traveling first class, nothing wrong with them employing spouses or children (as long as they do actually do work). the problem is claiming household bills on expenses or claiming mortgage on a second home then pocketing the profit when sold. The media have got some of their arguement wrong, but then the MPs havent helped themselves either. or rather they have been all to much. Simple rules is all that needed, get a FTSE 100 company to offer a template of their expenses and have an office of about 5 (not 50 plus as it seem is being setup) to oversee that the rules are followed. theres only 600 odd MPs it doesnt need 1:10 workforce to check their expenses.

 

[Husty]

He raises some valid points, then makes himself look like an idiot throughout the rest if the article, undermining those good points.

 

[Brian Fantana]

I can't. Surely he could still travel first class and pay the difference out of his own pocket?

Totally agree.

 

[Nibble]

People like him are exactly why people get angry at MP's and their assumption of privilege. Yes, it is hard to do work in standard class, the answer? Get up an hour earlier and do it before you leave or get to the second home or hotel we pay for in your constituency a few hours earlier and do it there.
Thousands of us "different type of people" manage to organise our lives so that we can get our work done. Why this pompous, priggish snob can't do the same is beyond me.

 

[VeronaSeagull]

I agree he initially starts of making a good point about quietness and space to get work done etc etc! I understand the neccessity but it's his dismissal of the general public's opinions of the expenses and "the type of people who travel standard class" that niggled me!

Also him and his wife clearly fiddled their "expenses" so he clearly hasn't understood the issue

 

[Brixtaan]

Why is everyone so obsessed with MPs expenses?It hides the fact that Gordon spent public money (he didn't have) on recruiting 2 MILLLION more public sector workers to make it look like he lowered unemployment.Now we can't pay for them anymore.Thats the scandal.

 

[sten_super]

It seems to me his point is much more that the trains are crap than anything else. My company only ever sends us standard class (anyone, even the MD), yet I still manage to get the laptop out (on my lap if necessary) and get some work done. It's not as if it's physically impossible to do any work in standard class!

 

[Tooting Gull]

I think this hysterical 'story' just shows how out of control things have got on MPs expenses. First-class train travel isn't really the issue, there have been far greater abuses than that. It's just a feeding frenzy now, and all rational debate has long gone.

His real gaffe here is the line about 'a different sort of people'. Ludicrous, from an experienced politician. It just sounds pompous and superior, and invalidates any point he may have had.

 

[Don Quixote]

Getting a bit angry over nothing I think.

 

[bhaexpress]

If he travelled on my line he'd probably be the only person in First Class who actually has a First Class ticket.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Why is everyone so obsessed with MPs expenses?It hides the fact that Gordon spent public money (he didn't have) on recruiting 2 MILLLION more public sector workers to make it look like he lowered unemployment.Now we can't pay for them anymore.Thats the scandal.

Correct.

Although most people don't realise that Euro MP gets it even better. When travelling to Brussels they can claim for first class air travel plus a percentage (WTF?) and then drive their car if they choose, saving an enormous difference. How is that allowed?

 

[tedebear]

Its going to take years to breed the double standards out of some MP's, its snobbery at its highest level, handed down over the years from a system which promoted it...I think they are starting to get it, but the ones that don't will hopefully get voted out...fingers crossed anyhow as these are the goons that stand on principle about whats good for the hard working people of this country....they should start doing the hard work without the frippery like we have to....

 

[Don Quixote]

Why are we moaning about the people we elect? What about those krouts sitting in Buckingham palace spending our money like there is no tomorow? They are the real criminals here.

 

[glasfryn]

Its going to take years to breed the double standards out of some MP's, its snobbery at its highest level, handed down over the years from a system which promoted it...I think they are starting to get it, but the ones that don't will hopefully get voted out...fingers crossed anyhow as these are the goons that stand on principle about whats good for the hard working people of this country....they should start doing the hard work without the frippery like we have to....

what he said

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

I listened to the full interview this morning. The Irish presenter was being a cock. But then he is. He put words into the MP's mouth and distorted and misrepresented what he said. All the MP said was fair enough. He need to do work , important work and he does a lot in the 2-3 hrs on the train and needs the privacy and quiet of first class and was explaining he could not do the effectively in 2nd class with kids screaming, people mucking about etc. This was perfectly fair.

The presenter made it into a class issue and I thought highly of Winterton for his robust defence. If you listened to the full interview you would probably agree.