Thought for the day

A constituent emails me to ask "If MPs are now made to pay taxes on their income and assets like the rest of us, does this mean we might see more MPs demanding lower taxes?"

Posted on 27 May 2009 by Douglas Carswell

Comments

Bravo that man...

Posted on 27 May 2009 13:08 by Jackart

Have Your Say DEBATE:
Is it time for radical reform of politics and Parliament?
SENT:
27-May-2009 10:39
COMMENT:
Until the Telegraph forwards the info it has to the police we won't know what % of the politicians are crooks/ thick/ honest. At that point the police should take court action or invoke the mental health act or whatever action is appropriate. Only when the place is cleaned out of thieves con men and rule benders should we consider any reform. The practice of a full pension for those who are proved to be shady must also cease. Where else in life is one rewarded for questionable ability


DEBATE:
Is it time for radical reform of politics and Parliament?
SENT:
26-May-2009 15:18
COMMENT:
I am sorry this is a smokescreen designed by the main parties to take heat out of public anger over expenses. It wont work I and I suspect countless other voters are very clearly saying we want to see police investigation now We don't want MPs caught out now resigning at the next election We want them sacked now. We don't see why pensions should be awarded to people who haven't done their jobs. That is what the voters want now. If this continues watch the size of the protest Vote next week

DEBATE:
Will the expenses clampdown work?
SENT:
25-May-2009 11:37
COMMENT:
Why should the speaker be elevated to the Lords and receive such a massive pension for not doing his job ?
perhaps it explains how & why Sir Fred Goodwin kept his obscene pension
Why do MPs think it is enough to simply repay the money?
Why are MPs not suspended while
A, an internal investigation is carried out
B, if needed a police investigation is started
C, court action commences (if there is enough evidence)
Why is it enough to sack MPs from their portfolio but stay on as an MP

Posted on 27 May 2009 15:01 by Ian

Precisely, Douglas. MPs have exempted themselves from the laws they drafted and (supposedly) vetted and have exempted themselves from the taxes they approved in the HoC.

There is no incentive for them to examine the effects of their legislation if they are immune from them. This exemption results in arrogance and a disconnect between 'representatives' and voters.

Posted on 27 May 2009 16:04 by http://faustiesblog.blogspot.com/

Call me cynical but the most likely outcome is that either a payment system will be worked out giving huge pay increases or an opt out from what the little people have to pay will be enacted for MP's.

The one thing that won't happen is lower taxes for everone else.

Posted on 28 May 2009 08:07 by paul

Well said that man!

If MP's have to fill in their own self-assessment form, will that ensure that HMRC make it simpler?

If Dawn Primarolo had ever thought she would have to perform the IR35 deemed salary calculation she foisted, hard-faced, on 60,000 contractors, she would have dumped it instantly.

There is a general point here; we need to keep our politicians honest by making sure that they experience what they enact.

Posted on 28 May 2009 08:23 by Roger Pearse

i gust want to say some thing "great job"

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Posted on 28 May 2009 09:34 by srdha

WE READ IN PRIVATE EYE THAT...

"MPs have their own tax office - Public Dept 1 in Cardiff - which deals with sensitive tax files. The word among tax accountants is that the inspectors there, like officials in the discredited Fees Office, know better than to raise too many questions. What's good enough for the Fees Office is likely to be OK in Cardiff. The MP cheats Bible is the 'Green Book' on salaries, allowances and pensions rules".
We can't help feeling that there's a whole web of intrigue awaiting media and public scrutiny within the FEES OFFICE & HMRC, Cardiff.

Posted on 28 May 2009 15:07 by ESSEX BOYS

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