Expenses Again!

Blogging MP Tom Harris (labour) has been moaning about the way that IPSA (The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) is operating the new expenses system.  It may well be the case that IPSA is just another over staffed, expensive quango and Iain Dale has made some good points regarding IPSA recruiting three press officers and a marketing manager at a salary of £85,000.  If that is the case then it needs sorting out along with many other quangos.  Having said that, I would like to offer Tom some advice.  MPs whinging on about how their expenses are processed is not really a good idea.  So you have to pay rent for office space out of your own pocket and claim it back.  As an employee, I used to purchase flights and hotels every week out of my own pocket and claim them back.  Welcome to the real world!
 
MPs had their opportunity to sort out the expenses system and failed.  Initially they sacked Elizabeth Filkin who worked hard and thanklessly, to save the greedy pigs from themselves.  Then they fought tooth and nail, to avoid freedom of information requests.  When that did not work they tried to tell us it was ‘all within the rules’.  Finally they tried publishing redacted expense claims: basically black boxes arranged on a white background.  MPs had their chance to put the system right and they blew it.  Tom, now is the time to shut up, stand up and take it on the chin.  Taxpayers deserve nothing less.

Baby cots and bottle sterilisers are not allowed.
Best Wishes
Will