I asked the question who are the good MPs when it comes to expenses and PaddyGrace responds with Laura Moffatt.
I have always believed it is wrong for public servants to make money out of the public purse and I do not defend anyone who does so.
In the 12 years that I have been an MP I rented a flat for about 2½ years when the late night/early morning commuting became too much but gave it up because the annual cost did not sit comfortably with me.
I completely sympathise with the anger felt by many in the UK about the kinds of things some MPs have claimed for.
For myself, I never travel first class when commuting and since getting rid of my flat I more often sleep on a camp bed in my office when the House sits late (more than once a week) rather than book into a hotel and have only made one claim for personal goods in 2007/08, under £20 I think, to replace some towels.
Whilst not defending any of the controversial claims currently being reported – it is important to emphasise that we only know about these payments because this Labour Government, for the first time in our history, put this information in the public domain.
Without the Freedom of Information Act 2000, opposed by the Tories, none of us would have access to any of this information.
The record shows that I have consistently voted against pay rises for MPs in the Commons and this year gave my entire pay rise to charity. Laura Moffatt.
If you I was a voter in Crawley you know who I’d vote for.
“Without the Freedom of Information Act 2000, opposed by the Tories, none of us would have access to any of this information.”
Not quite right. The authorities would have redacted a lot of imformation before releasing it under the FOI request. The fact that we get such juicy detail is because it’s an authorised leak of the full information.
Laura Moffat does seem to be one of the few with any integrity though.
It is the case that Laura Moffat does not have her head as far in the Public Purse Trough as far as her esteemed Colleagues……but claiming that as showing integrity is a bit of a conclusion too far.
Evidence? Look at her voting record
MPs’ allowances — External audits and no more furniture — 3 Jul 2008 at 17:17. Laura Moffatt MP, Crawley voted in the minority (No)
Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill — Keep disclosure for MPs’ expenses — rejected — 20 Apr 2007 at 12:45 Laura Moffatt MP, Crawley – Absent
Parliamentary Standards (Constitutional Reform) — 2 Feb 2009 at 20:55. (which included a vote to “reform of the procedures of the House is essential to enable it to scrutinise Government and the spending of taxpayers’ money more effectively; and recognises the need for urgent action to restore the trust of the British public in Parliament as an institution and in politics as a profession” Laura Moffatt MP, Crawley voted in with the majority (No)
MPs’ Allowances — Abolish the John Lewis List — rejected — 16 Jul 2008 at 15:49. Laura Moffatt MP, Crawley voted No.
A pattern is emerging. Basically her voting pattern shows she will not vote against the Party – even if it means voting against her own stated principles.
Other people may take the view that voting with the Party Line is showing integrity through Loyalty, but I think that voting against your own principles is nothing short of cowardice and certainly not showing ‘integrity’.
Some good digging there Peter!