If you were an MP

I'm sure your not-voting will suit the big wigs just fine. Makes it easier for them to set things up the way they like, as they need fewer votes to win.

Plenty of smaller parties with (still) principled people in them, e.g. Green? Try finding fault with MEP Caroline Lucas' princples.

Good argument as usual TT. Depressing that one with a lot to say chooses such a level of apathy. Perhaps that's the problem with the whole business.......

By the way there are more than two houses you know.

Or perhaps you and Rick could start your own party, everyone is free to have a go after all. Too much like hard work perhaps?

This is what I find so disapointing. They harp on about values. It kind of distroys your faith in human nature.

iwsmithuk - I think the reason (and most justified too) why people are angry with the whole issue is that fact these expenses are funded by taxes. This coupled with the recent tax increases which were brought about by the govenments own failings and not policies in improving the social structure in which we all live has made many people fell quite ripped off. And quite right too.

As regard to your previous comment about the tax return. Sure people have/do submitt may be a bit more. But remember that is their own money in the first place that they have earnt. There is a sense of ownership rather than manipulating the system for own gain.

I did feel a bit sorry for Hazel Blears and her three homes as what she did is all within the tax laws open to everyone in the country. Then I felt no sorry at all with the stunt she pulled with the £13k cheque she said she would pay. Since no tax was due on her sale of the home, all what the revenue would do is credit that £13k against her account for next year. She has not paid a thing and just pulled a cheap stunt while under the pretence of making everything OK. Typical MP.

I think the speaker has the best job in the world. A job from which you can not be sacked or fired. Job from which you can only resign from or give up by death. A job for which you can claim just under £2m expenses for homes, plus have an appartment in one of the grandest buildings on one of the prime real estate plots in the Universe. And still claim £70k expense for it! Fantastic. I knew I should have started at the top in life and worked my way down.

Exactly, and the problem is that the way this has been reported implies that most/all MPs are behaving dishonestly. That simply isnt the case. Some, possibly too many, are manipulating the system and it is the job of the press to highlight this, all part of the checks and balances of a democracy, all well and good.

But the hysterical tone of the reporting and the equally hysterical response in the general public (including on here) is completely out of proportion and encourages a negetive perception of all poiticians. Not helpful.

Maybe this isn't the place to have this discussion. Lets get back to sailing related stuff.