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IS IT RIGHT THAT GORDON BROWN SHOULD PAY £12,000 WHEN OTHER MP'S HAVE USED MORE MONEY AND ARE NOT PAYING IT BACK?
Gordon Brown is being told to pay back £12,415.10 from his expenses claims over the past five years. Most of this money was spent on cleaning with his brother, Andrew, whilst other money was spent on gardening. However, many MP's are not being asked to repay money when they have abused their expenses as well. Some MP's have been asked to repay money but are refusing to do so. If you believe that it is right to charge Gordon Brown for his expenses but not to charge other MP's who have abused their expenses vote "Yes". If you disagree vote "No".
Is it right that Gordon Brown should pay £12,000 when other MP's have used more money and are not paying it back?
No, because... What Should Be.
For MP's who owe a lot more money than Brown (or who have been accused of mis-using their expenses allowance by any amount whatsoever) to not (many of them) be asked to pay back their money whilst Brown, Cameron, Clegg and others have been asked to repay theirs is totally wrong.
Thomas Legg, the man who has set up this inquiry and has been the decider in what MP's have to repay, is demanding repayment from MPs who used their expenses for "over-frequent replacements of household equipment". For any other exaggerated expense, no punishment seems to be eluded to. What is just about this?
Brown should pay back his expenses. As should anyone who has been asked to do so. However, so should those who have abused the system just as badly or in a far worse manner than those who have already been asked to repay them! The fact that many haven't been asked is completely immoral.
We know also of MP's who are just outright refusing to pay their expenses. Not only is this wrong (if other MP's are paying back their expenses, this should apply to those others who have been asked to do so - this is just) but it is, by their own doing, political suicide. They've pretty much guaranteed themselves a lost seat in the election (this is why the main party leaders are so keen to pay their own expenses back, and to take a hardline against those in their party who refuse). I mean, let's face it, if those MP's refusing to pay still refuse after word from their party leaders, then their leaders will just kick them out. Either way, the MP is going to lose his/her seat.
Personally, I think that if the rules on expenses were not that clear then MP's shouldn't be forced to repay them. Unless the expenses claimed go beyond what is reasonable. Cleaning and maintenance of housing, travel, food etc. - these are acceptable expenses. Duck houses and porn are not.
Vote on this debate: Is it right that Gordon Brown should pay £12,000 when other MP's have used more money and are not paying it back?
Modified:
06 Apr 2010
Point 1. What Should Be.
For MP's who owe a lot more money than Brown (or who have been accused of mis-using their expenses allowance by any amount whatsoever) to not (many of them) be asked to pay back their money whilst Brown, Cameron, Clegg and others have been asked to repay theirs is totally wrong.
Thomas Legg, the man who has set up this inquiry and has been the decider in what MP's have to repay, is demanding repayment from MPs who used their expenses for "over-frequent replacements of household equipment". For any other exaggerated expense, no punishment seems to be eluded to. What is just about this?
Brown should pay back his expenses. As should anyone who has been asked to do so. However, so should those who have abused the system just as badly or in a far worse manner than those who have already been asked to repay them! The fact that many haven't been asked is completely immoral.
We know also of MP's who are just outright refusing to pay their expenses. Not only is this wrong (if other MP's are paying back their expenses, this should apply to those others who have been asked to do so - this is just) but it is, by their own doing, political suicide. They've pretty much guaranteed themselves a lost seat in the election (this is why the main party leaders are so keen to pay their own expenses back, and to take a hardline against those in their party who refuse). I mean, let's face it, if those MP's refusing to pay still refuse after word from their party leaders, then their leaders will just kick them out. Either way, the MP is going to lose his/her seat.
Personally, I think that if the rules on expenses were not that clear then MP's shouldn't be forced to repay them. Unless the expenses claimed go beyond what is reasonable. Cleaning and maintenance of housing, travel, food etc. - these are acceptable expenses. Duck houses and porn are not.