Minister For Dodgy Expenses

[SantaClaus]

We constantly vilify companies for using tax loopholes..but I don't blame them. The rules allow them to do so they do.

BUT! we are talking about people who enter politic on the whole falacy that they want to 'help society' and 'give something back'. So morally she should not have done it. we're also talking about a group of people who wanted to keep these facts out of the public eye so we won't ever know what they're up to.

IMHO MP's should only be covered for a bedsit in London and if they want to buy a house...they earn a handsome salary and should cover it within that.

BTW: is her sister also a stalanist?

Very well put!

[Gonzo]

We constantly vilify companies for using tax loopholes..but I don't blame them. The rules allow them to do so they do.

I will never have a go at anyone for getting the most out what life presents them with. In fact, the more creative they are, the more I approve.

BUT! we are talking about people who enter politic on the whole falacy that they want to 'help society' and 'give something back'. So morally she should not have done it. we're also talking about a group of people who wanted to keep these facts out of the public eye so we won't ever know what they're up to.

Bollocks! It is a career, like any other. I think you are valuing them more highly than they deserve.

IMHO MP's should only be covered for a bedsit in London and if they want to buy a house...they earn a handsome salary and should cover it within that.

That should be easily done. It would just need a change to the law to be approved by the legislature.

Oh hang on, that would be the MPs themselves.

Perhaps there might be some obstacles to overcome with that plan.

[lilelvis2000]

It seems that she has followed the rules and done well out of them.

I don't see that it is reasonable to attack anyone for doing exactly that. Do you?

We constantly vilify companies for using tax loopholes..but I don't blame them. The rules allow them to do so they do.

BUT! we are talking about people who enter politic on the whole falacy that they want to 'help society' and 'give something back'. So morally she should not have done it. we're also talking about a group of people who wanted to keep these facts out of the public eye so we won't ever know what they're up to.

IMHO MP's should only be covered for a bedsit in London and if they want to buy a house...they earn a handsome salary and should cover it within that.

BTW: is her sister also a stalanist?

[Gonzo]

He is making the distinction between something being legal and something being moral.

i.e. just because it's legal doesn't make it right (a bit like IR35 really)

Ah, Morals. Who has time for those these days?

I have heard too much about morals of late. They are like the "undocumented requirements" that a client has when you are trying to deliver them a system.

[Unicorn]

Double Standards

Doesn't stop one of her fellow 'troughers' Yvette Cooper suggesting bankers shouldn't take what they may be entitled too.

"I think there is a moral responsibility on some of these bankers, even if they are legally entitled to take bonuses"

Hmmmm, valid point but hard to take any politician seriously on the matter.

Still lots of employment law solicitors must be looking forward to a bit of action from one of her other statements

"any contractual or legal obligations on banks to pay bonuses at a time when they were making huge losses must be "challenged" "

[EternalOptimist]

It seems that she has followed the rules and done well out of them.

I don't see that it is reasonable to attack anyone for doing exactly that. Do you?

He is making the distinction between something being legal and something being moral.

i.e. just because it's legal doesn't make it right (a bit like IR35 really)

[Gonzo]

Give me strength!

It seems that she has followed the rules and done well out of them.

I don't see that it is reasonable to attack anyone for doing exactly that. Do you?

[SantaClaus]

You have no idea how much it pains me to be defending a Labour MP, I will need to have a shower afterwards but,

It would appear that she has done everything according to the rules.

Therefore the rules are wrong. She isn't and she is the wrong target.

Give me strength!

[pmeswani]

Adolf Hitler followed the rules, but we still would have hung him. Smith is part of the organisation that produces the rules

that's the difference

Hence why she will never be an Independent politician. The political establishment is corrupt to no end. If there is an opportunity to sh@ft the electorate out of as much money as possible, the Blues, Yellows and Reds will be happy to do it. You know the saying... kick a poor man when he is down. (The same applies to women as well).

[EternalOptimist]

You have no idea how much it pains me to be defending a Labour MP, I will need to have a shower afterwards but,

It would appear that she has done everything according to the rules.

Therefore the rules are wrong. She isn't and she is the wrong target.

Adolf Hitler followed the rules, but we still would have hung him. Smith is part of the organisation that produces the rules

that's the difference

[Gonzo]

Yes, but MPs have a moral responsibility towards the electorate. Computer contractors do not.

You have no idea how much it pains me to be defending a Labour MP, I will need to have a shower afterwards but,

It would appear that she has done everything according to the rules.

Therefore the rules are wrong. She isn't and she is the wrong target.

[SantaClaus]

Seductive as it is to have a go at the people taking advantage if we don't like them, it is the system that allows it and therefore the system that needs to be fixed.

You can't really have a go at the people that maximise their opportunities to rake in the cash - it is what we all do afterall.

</GROWNUP>

Yes, but MPs have a moral responsibility towards the electorate. Computer contractors do not.

[Gonzo]

Seductive as it is to have a go at the people taking advantage if we don't like them, it is the system that allows it and therefore the system that needs to be fixed.

You can't really have a go at the people that maximise their opportunities to rake in the cash - it is what we all do afterall.

</GROWNUP>

[Mich the Tester]

Scum rises to the top.

[SantaClaus]

I thought removing our civil liberties was enough.

Now we find Jaqui Smith is morally corrupt too!


"Minister for dodgy expenses: How CAN Jacqui Smith justify £116,000 claim for home costs while staying with her sister? "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...ng-sister.html