I'm glad that someone has raised this as an issue. Well done Plim :thumbup:
Regarding the expenses 'scandal', I have always had the following thoughts:
An MPs salary is not great. Most of them could earn far more in the private sector - and yet their job carries an extremely high responsibility. Something must be wrong there. As a result, I believe that the expense regime was seen as some sort of compensation. After all, there are not many jobs that virtually require you to have a second home (assuming that your constituency is not commutable from Westminster). It is worth remembering that all these expense claims were approved by the fees office. I think it was simply seen as part of the package.
Now, having said that, I do believe that the expense claims fall into three categories:
1. Playing the system but staying within the spirit as well as the letter of the law. This would include decoration and upkeep of the necessary seond home. I don't think that it is unreasonable for that second home to be able to accommodate at least the MP's partner and any dependent children.
2. Abuse of the system. 'Flipping' is the most obvious example. In other words "I will designate home A as my second home and get it entirely re-decorated on the tax payer, then, once that's been done, I will designate home B as my second home and get THAT redecorated on the tax payer." Clearly, whatever their job, they would have had to pay for and maintain one home and to get the taxpayer to pay for both is at the very least bending if not breaking the rules.
3. Fraud. I can't think of any other term for MPs who claim for a mortgage that they no longer have. Has anyone here ever 'forgotten' that they had paid off their mortgage? I think not! Similarly Jacqui Smith claiming that the spare room at her sister's house was her 'main residence' so that she could claim the full costs of running her family home from the taxpayer. Come off it!
I would support the idea of a block of apartments built and maintained by parliament for the use of MPs. All MPs whose constituency was more than, say, an hour's travel from parliament would be entitled to one. They should all have a double room for the MP's spouse/partner and two further bedrooms for family/friends. There should also be an office which was connected to the House of Commons network so that MPs could continue to work from there in the evening. All the cleaning and maintenance would be carried out by contractors appointed by parliament and every 5 years (conveniently corresponding to the duration of a parliament) the whole block would be redecorated. Perhaps each MP could choose a colour scheme for his/her flat.
This would mean that all MPs were treated equally and that the costs of providing them with a home in London would be completely transparent. It would also help security as there is one site that has to have maximum security instead of a couple of hundred individual homes.
What do you think?
Will
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willxx69
Over 90 days ago
Straight Male, 62
Bisexual Female, 59
0 miles · Wiltshire
Forum
Sex God
Quote by poshkate
A glass of rose please
You know you can have anything you want!! and I see from your avatar that you've brought your own glasses. How thoughtful!
Quote by foxylady
Can I have a large glass of Ginger Wine and hot water? 50 : 50 please. It's lovely for a chilly evening.
Are there any bar snacks? I could murder a bag of pork scratchings
Ginger wine and water? :shock: :shock: That sounds disgustingly non-alcoholic :scared:.
I'm sure I can rustle up some pork scratchings. Come round here behind the bar if you fancy a quick nibble :rascal:
Will
Sex God
Thought I would start a new thread for this weekend. Sorry to be late opening, but I've been trying to get some work finished (not very successfully). Sappho twisted a knee getting one of the twins out of the car this afternoon - so there isn't going to be anything terribly athletic or adventurous going on tonight 
- though I have offered to do all the work! :twisted:
So, does anyone care to join me in a drink or seven?
We have the usual range of beers, wines, spirits and I might even attempt a few cocktails if you dare me.
So, who's first? Ooh, is that Kaz I can see, jumping up and down saying "Pick me, pick me!"? How about a drink first?
Will
- though I have offered to do all the work! :twisted:So, does anyone care to join me in a drink or seven?
We have the usual range of beers, wines, spirits and I might even attempt a few cocktails if you dare me.
So, who's first? Ooh, is that Kaz I can see, jumping up and down saying "Pick me, pick me!"? How about a drink first?
Will
Sex God
Quote by TheLovelyOne
Too many Welsh cakes and too much bara brith at work today!
What's bara brith?
A sort of fruit bread-cake thing... I think it translates as 'speckled bread'.
As with so much in life, if it's moist enough it's delicious!Now, I'm as Anglo-Saxon as they come but even I know what bara brith is. It's absolutely delicious too. A very happy St David's Day to all Welsh-types here.
Will
PS As someone said, at least St David is actually Welsh. Let's not look too closely at St George!
Sex God
Yes, yes. I know it's a Monday, but.....
The kids were a bit of a nightmare at bathtime, there are a dozen other stresses that I am having to deal with so I have found it necessary to worship (briefly) at the shrine of St Gordon - patron saint of stress relief, especially when taken with tonic, lemon and ice.
Does anyone else need a little soothing? :twisted:
Will
The kids were a bit of a nightmare at bathtime, there are a dozen other stresses that I am having to deal with so I have found it necessary to worship (briefly) at the shrine of St Gordon - patron saint of stress relief, especially when taken with tonic, lemon and ice.
Does anyone else need a little soothing? :twisted:
Will
assionkiss: :passionkiss: :passionkiss: Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
I see you have escaped bar keep,do we need to draw the blinds and talk in whispers?
What could you recommend this evening?
Well, I shall need something to help me keep warm. Mmmm, those will do nicely. Can I snuggle in between them? (muffled No, no. Please don't worry. I can breathe perfectly well!)
Will
Sex God
I may need somebody to smuggle some supplies down to me.
I do have some red wine stashed out here, and I always keep a corkscrew in the glove compartment of the car (on the grounds that the RAC will have any other tools should I need them), so all is not lost.
I need someone to help me rig up some pipes from the kitchen so that I can top up my G&T.
Meanwhile, can I get anyone anything?
Kaz, it may be time for me to apply some more baby oil to your double frontage!
Will - at everyone's service.
PS - there is a reward for anyone who can smuggle supplies out to me. Yes, Bloke, that does include you. Particularly if you bring Nola with you :rascal:
Will
I do have some red wine stashed out here, and I always keep a corkscrew in the glove compartment of the car (on the grounds that the RAC will have any other tools should I need them), so all is not lost.
I need someone to help me rig up some pipes from the kitchen so that I can top up my G&T.
Meanwhile, can I get anyone anything?
Kaz, it may be time for me to apply some more baby oil to your double frontage!
Will - at everyone's service.
PS - there is a reward for anyone who can smuggle supplies out to me. Yes, Bloke, that does include you. Particularly if you bring Nola with you :rascal:
Will
Sex God
Kaz, I'm afraid my conscience wouldn't allow me to blame the kids when it wasn't their fault.
Sarah, it's Sunday so Tesco shut at 4:00pm!
Now, normally, I am proud that I am bringing up my children to be honest. Normally.
We heard the front door open and, in a flash, one of the twins bolted down the hallway yelling, "Mummy, mummy. Daddy's broken your flower." Of course, I would have told her anyway, but I would have rather let her get in and make herself comfortable, then I would have made her a cup of coffee. Perhaps given her some chocolate.
Anyway, she took it with good grace.
I have my torch and sleeping bag. Fortunately, the shed is within range of the wireless router so it's just a question of how long the battery lasts. Actually, I can probably run an extension lead out from the utility room window.
As I said - time for the cocktail bar!
Will
Sarah, it's Sunday so Tesco shut at 4:00pm!
Now, normally, I am proud that I am bringing up my children to be honest. Normally.
We heard the front door open and, in a flash, one of the twins bolted down the hallway yelling, "Mummy, mummy. Daddy's broken your flower." Of course, I would have told her anyway, but I would have rather let her get in and make herself comfortable, then I would have made her a cup of coffee. Perhaps given her some chocolate.
Anyway, she took it with good grace.
I have my torch and sleeping bag. Fortunately, the shed is within range of the wireless router so it's just a question of how long the battery lasts. Actually, I can probably run an extension lead out from the utility room window.
As I said - time for the cocktail bar!
Will
Sex God
Sappho has taken Sappho Jr for her second (off road so far) driving lesson. This leaves me in charge of the Decadence Twins and Will Jr. Not a problem - done that hundreds of times before. Now, how do I entertain them for a couple of hours? How about a little gardening?
We are not into house plants. In fact, we have only one. An orchid that was given to us by a much loved friend. Now, Sappho doesn't really 'do' plants or gardening so it's left to me to water it occasionally. Fortunately, orchids prefer to be left to their own devices most of the time and it has, so far, thrived on neglect. It currently has two full blooms and about four other buds. However, it has clearly outgrown the pot that it came in. The roots are coming out over the top of the pot and the root-mass is such that it has displaced almost all of the soil, so I have bought a larger pot.
I thought it would be nice to get the children to help me re-pot and water the orchid before Sappho came home.
Admonishing them to treat the delicate little flower with care and threatening them with horrendous consequences should any damage occur, we carry the old pot downstairs and outside where the new pot and a bag of compost are waiting.
Carefully, I put the pot down and turn round to get the new pot and some compost.
As I do so, I detect a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. I turn round just in time to see the plant topple over, as if in slow motion. There is a soft but unmistakable 'snap' as the one and only stem, bearing the flowers and buds, hits the wall and breaks off.
There is silence and the children look at me. Then one says, "You've broken mummy's flower."
Now what do I do? Well, I carried on and re-potted what was left and the windowsill upstairs now has a beautifully re-potted - but totally naked - orchid.
Sappho is due home any moment now! :doh:
Will
We are not into house plants. In fact, we have only one. An orchid that was given to us by a much loved friend. Now, Sappho doesn't really 'do' plants or gardening so it's left to me to water it occasionally. Fortunately, orchids prefer to be left to their own devices most of the time and it has, so far, thrived on neglect. It currently has two full blooms and about four other buds. However, it has clearly outgrown the pot that it came in. The roots are coming out over the top of the pot and the root-mass is such that it has displaced almost all of the soil, so I have bought a larger pot.
I thought it would be nice to get the children to help me re-pot and water the orchid before Sappho came home.
Admonishing them to treat the delicate little flower with care and threatening them with horrendous consequences should any damage occur, we carry the old pot downstairs and outside where the new pot and a bag of compost are waiting.
Carefully, I put the pot down and turn round to get the new pot and some compost.
As I do so, I detect a slight movement out of the corner of my eye. I turn round just in time to see the plant topple over, as if in slow motion. There is a soft but unmistakable 'snap' as the one and only stem, bearing the flowers and buds, hits the wall and breaks off.
There is silence and the children look at me. Then one says, "You've broken mummy's flower."
Now what do I do? Well, I carried on and re-potted what was left and the windowsill upstairs now has a beautifully re-potted - but totally naked - orchid.
Sappho is due home any moment now! :doh:
Will
Sex God
I have no wish to keep you out of bed - just no intention of letting you sleep!! :twisted:
I'm not sure that Sappho will be very much help. She has already said that you can borrow me - as long as you give me back when you're finished!
Now then, there seems to be a little tension knot in your right shoulder.
Will gets out the baby oil, warms up his hands and prepares to relieve Kaz's stresses.
Where would youlike me to start? :twisted:
Will
I'm not sure that Sappho will be very much help. She has already said that you can borrow me - as long as you give me back when you're finished!
Now then, there seems to be a little tension knot in your right shoulder.
Will gets out the baby oil, warms up his hands and prepares to relieve Kaz's stresses.
Where would youlike me to start? :twisted:
Will
Sex God
Quote by Sappho
Darling TE!
Come and snuggle with Sappho and we can watch Will squirm on B1oke's hook... in a manner of speaking! Between you and me, I'm not sure if poker is Will's game. This could get interesting. Now, when are you coming back to see us. Certain persons have been asking for you!
Sappho (still on the Pimms) xx
Darling, I am absolutely delighted to see you back in the Forum (you have been away FAR too long - naughty girl), but I have to say that you are no bloody use whatsoever when a chap's in trouble!
I need a refill - Scotch tonight, I think. Kaz, can I get you something from the bottom shelf?
Now, as Sappho says, poker really isn't my game - so help me out someone.
Kaz, my darling. We appear to be in this together (clever chap that Bloke. He knew I wouldn't be able to resist the thought of you and Nola :doh
. So, hold on tight. Whoaaaa, not THAT tight! :eeek: Well, that's brought tears to my eyes! :shock: Now then, you'll have to come a little closer.
No, closer than that......
A little closer.......
Ahhhh, yes. That's about right. Right then, let's go and find Nola and Bloke. Sappho and Tune - stop giggling!
Will
Sex God
Quote by KaznkevCat on egg...
Heres a nice glass of cat on egg(tranliterate it )
Yes half term can lead to the need to release stress,Im not sure what executive relief entails but there is a quiet room over here where you can explain it to me
Could that possibly be "Chat en oeuf" i.e. Chateauneuf (du Pape)? If so, pour me a large one. Warm up your hands, grab the baby oil and I will be happy to school you in the art of executive relief! :rascal:
Will - adjusts (actually, dispenses with) his towel, and makes himself comfortable!
Sex God
Quote by KaznkevI'll second that! :twisted:
Can i vote for mrs bluefish, as her rear makes me a little warm every time blue posts
I have to confess that I have developed a bit of a thing for Mrs Bluefish's bum over the last few weeks - it is rather gorgeous.
As for Harriet's, well I suppose it could be a candidate for the most talented rear of the year, seeing as she manages to talk through it most of the time!
Will
Sex God
Quote by Freckledbird
:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:
God help us next weekend!!
.
Dunno what you mean :angel:
Yeee Haaaa!!! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
Sorry I didn't get in here last night. Calmed down now!
Sappho Jr's boyfriend is Welsh - and she was staying with the family last night! Judging by the texts I was getting I don't think she was being terribly magnanimous! :giggle:
Right then, Italy next, Doddle!
Will
Sex God
Right, back now.
Ooooh, LovelyOne, how lovely to see you - and holding that flute so decorously. That's an interesting looking grip....:twisted: .
Mr Gu - can I interest you in a Chateau Cheval Blanc that I keep reserved for my more discerning customers?
Now then, does anyone fancy massaging the poor bartender's shoulders? :rascal:
Will
Ooooh, LovelyOne, how lovely to see you - and holding that flute so decorously. That's an interesting looking grip....:twisted: .
Mr Gu - can I interest you in a Chateau Cheval Blanc that I keep reserved for my more discerning customers?
Now then, does anyone fancy massaging the poor bartender's shoulders? :rascal:
Will
Sex God
Right then:
Cava and strawberries for Ms Whips. I remember Sappho and I spending many hours in bed with bubbly and strawberries - and then look what happened!
LARGE G&T with ice and slice for Lost.
VERY LARGE Vodka for NWC. As for cooking, I have a beef casserole in the oven which will be ready when bathtime is over.
Sauvignon Blanc for the divine PK
. I was in your neck of the woods a couple of days ago, but with no spare time, sadly . Perhaps I can buy you a glass for real, next time. :thumbup:
Mr Gu - the '47! :shock: I'm going to have to delve into the darkest corners of the cellar for that one. Good choice though :thumbup: (I just hope it's still drinkable)
Kaznkev - how about Turbo Pimms - that's Pimms and lemonade with an extra shot of gin in it. Perfect for celebrations where champers is not required.
Will
Cava and strawberries for Ms Whips. I remember Sappho and I spending many hours in bed with bubbly and strawberries - and then look what happened!
LARGE G&T with ice and slice for Lost.
VERY LARGE Vodka for NWC. As for cooking, I have a beef casserole in the oven which will be ready when bathtime is over.
Sauvignon Blanc for the divine PK
. I was in your neck of the woods a couple of days ago, but with no spare time, sadly . Perhaps I can buy you a glass for real, next time. :thumbup:Mr Gu - the '47! :shock: I'm going to have to delve into the darkest corners of the cellar for that one. Good choice though :thumbup: (I just hope it's still drinkable)
Kaznkev - how about Turbo Pimms - that's Pimms and lemonade with an extra shot of gin in it. Perfect for celebrations where champers is not required.
Will
Sex God
Quote by DirtygirlyAnything for you :rascal:
Do you have a southern comfort kicking around in the back Will?!
If so, I'd like a large one with lemonade, in a tall glass with a little ice and a straw please! :mrgreen:
I've had a brilliant day! :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:
Whilst I have got the lemonade out I can do Corrie's Pimms as well.
Will :cheers:
