MP perks on the verge of reform
As the anger expressed by UK voters against the massive array of MP perks on offer continues to grow there are signs this evening of a significant shift in this area. David Cameron for one has confirmed that if he was to take the office of prime minister in the UK he would not claim a second home allowance. This is probably aimed at Gordon Brown who, despite having a grace and favour home in Downing Street, still continues to claim a second home allowance.
While there is no doubt that the vast majority of MPs in the UK are not breaking any laws, there are concerns that many claims are not within the spirit of the regulations. We have seen more and more MPs dragged into expense rows over the last few weeks and the situation has now reached boiling point. An earlier attempt by Gordon Brown to "kick the subject into the long grass" has failed and it now appears inevitable change will occur in the short term.
One major issue is the fact that as the rest of the UK is suffering in the ongoing recession it appears as though MPs are claiming more and more expenses and protecting their own income.
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