Bevendean Hillbilly
New member
Perhaps he could invest some of the thousands he's fiddled on an upgraded ticket if he's that bothered about it.
Expenses are supposed to be used to reimburse MP's for bills they incur in their line of work as an MP. They're NOT supposed to be used to protect investments, or make up interest or rent he would have been picking up on a property he owns. Its not some kind of compensation ATM for him to dip into, its OUR money !
...what I am saying is paying them a proper salary, ie £ 100k + and scrap the expenses system.
The last time I went on the train to London during the day 2nd class was full of pikey's spivs, asylum seekers, teenage mums and Palace supporters. Can you imagine some elderly, well spoken suit trying to sit there and work. I don't think so.
Were going roun in circle here. We all agree the expenses system sucks and what I am saying is paying them a proper salary, ie £ 100k + and scrap the expenses system.
Were going roun in circle here. We all agree the expenses system sucks and what I am saying is paying them a proper salary, ie £ 100k + and scrap the expenses system.
When I travelled back from London yesterday at about 3:30pm, the pikeys, spivs and other undesirables were the ONLY occupants of First Class. Most of those in Standard were old people snoozing or people in suits either working or reading. Like a bloody library it was. Some kid got on at Gatwick and had his PSP on too loud. He was SSSHHH'd into silence by some old boy.The last time I went on the train to London during the day 2nd class was full of pikey's spivs, asylum seekers, teenage mums and Palace supporters. Can you imagine some elderly, well spoken suit trying to sit there and work. I don't think so.
Were going roun in circle here. We all agree the expenses system sucks and what I am saying is paying them a proper salary, ie £ 100k + and scrap the expenses system.
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.
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.
I disagree if he didn't own the property he would have to rent somewhere which in London would probably be around £ 20k per annum for a modest property. So why should he be penalised for owning the property ?.
I think what Winterton is getting at is he thinks the taxpayer should fund his first class rail travel so he can do a bit of work on the train in the morning, so he can bunk off early at 3pm or have a long lunch.
It would be interesting to follow him around to see how much work he actually does.
We're looking at a culture that is almost 19th century. I agree that he should get the standard fare paid to him and he can pay the upgrade himself if he chooses.
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!
I must say that in some instances I agree with him. If an MP cannot be expected to travel First Class on a train like most executives of large companies, what is the point of having it? When it comes to air travel, then surely Business Class would be enough.
This is not red Russia you know, and if it was those in power would have the very best of everything!
The old boy had the balls to say what 90% of all MP's of all parties probably think and stuck his head above the paraphet and was shot down for it. But I admire someone who has his own mind and does not bow down to the PC way now and say it how it is. He stood his ground and would not back down and for that I rather respect him regardless of the rights and wrongs.