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Tories come clean on expenses
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| Wantage MP Ed Vaizey |
Three of Oxfordshire's Tory MPs spent £30,000 on expenses in just 12 weeks.
New figures published voluntarily by the Conservatives show David Cameron, Ed Vaizey and Tony Baldry claimed taxpayers' cash for a range of items over a three-month period.
Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has been criticised for spending £658 on a dishwasher and washing machine and £474 on curtains and blinds for his new constituency home.
The claims came under fire from the Taxpayers' Alliance which is are campaigning for MPs to be more responsible with public money.
Campaign director Mark Wallace said: "We really welcome the fact that these figures are being published, but we are totally against this kind of spending.
"The fact that MPs are allowed to claim goods like dishwashers and washing machines on their allowances is one of the biggest bugbears for taxpayers as it means MPs are isolated from the economic pressures that the average person is having to deal with."
"People are very concerned that politicians are talking about keeping down costs and not giving public sector workers pay rises, but are setting a bad example by claiming taxpayers' money to pay for their goods and services."
Mr Vaizey, said: "I don't think I'm being extravagant in providing a few basic items such as a dishwasher, and I'm not planning to buy a plasma television or other luxury items. I will probably buy some carpets - because it's a new home I will furnish it."
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| Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron |
Constituent Bob Turner, 73, of Stockham Park, Wantage, said: "I think it's an absolute disgrace. I don't want my money going on furnishing Mr Vaizey's house."
The figures were released on the orders of party leader and Witney MP Mr Cameron in an attempt to bring greater openness.
He said: "We are the first party to demand this information from our members, and our MPs are voluntarily revealing a much more detailed breakdown of their expenses than official rules require them to. I'm glad that we're leading the way."
No details were released for former Henley MP Boris Johnson - now Mayor of London.
The figures exclude MPs' staffing allowances which take up around three quarters of an average MP's annual expenses claim.
5:49pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Richie, Rose Hill on 8:17pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Why are we paying for Camerons mortgage on his second house? If he wants a second house it should come out of his own rich salary, not out of the public's pocket. If MPs need a property in London whilst sitting at the Commons, I suggest they all live in barracks maintained at the same standard as our troops and on the same pay!
Smith is no better. MASSIVE expenses.
Why are we paying for Camerons mortgage on his second house? If he wants a second house it should come out of his own rich salary, not out of the public's pocket. If MPs need a property in London whilst sitting at the Commons, I suggest they all live in barracks maintained at the same standard as our troops and on the same pay!
Smith is no better. MASSIVE expenses.
Posted by: tories=corruption on 9:36pm Wed 23 Jul 08
as i have said before, the tories are all greedy, arrogant, self-centred arseholes. this will become apparent (again!) after the stupid population of britain vote them in again. just listen to the nasty bullying tactics of cameron on prime ministers question time. first you have to learn how to tune in to radio 4 and tear yourselves away from fox fm and chris moyles (the ****)
as i have said before, the tories are all greedy, arrogant, self-centred arseholes. this will become apparent (again!) after the stupid population of britain vote them in again. just listen to the nasty bullying tactics of cameron on prime ministers question time. first you have to learn how to tune in to radio 4 and tear yourselves away from fox fm and chris moyles (the ****)
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 9:44pm Wed 23 Jul 08
You do know the government is not some higher power nor represents such a preposterous thing.
Unless organised crime fits your description of it.
A great many people for a great many generations in a great many nations all desparate to make it to the weekend,now that needs looking at.
You do know the government is not some higher power nor represents such a preposterous thing.
Unless organised crime fits your description of it.
A great many people for a great many generations in a great many nations all desparate to make it to the weekend,now that needs looking at.
Posted by: Astonished, Wantage on 11:59pm Wed 23 Jul 08
Why does the taxpayer have to pay all these expenses for Ed Vaizey when he could commute to London each day like the rest of us?
At the very most, all he needs is a "cheap" furnished flat for a few nights a week.
Like the Wintertons he brings the whole expenses lark into disgrace.
Why does the taxpayer have to pay all these expenses for Ed Vaizey when he could commute to London each day like the rest of us?
At the very most, all he needs is a "cheap" furnished flat for a few nights a week.
Like the Wintertons he brings the whole expenses lark into disgrace.
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 12:46am Thu 24 Jul 08
Especially as they are largely irrelevent these days.
Especially as they are largely irrelevent these days.
Posted by: The UK was Great Once, UK on 8:25am Thu 24 Jul 08
[quote][bold]tories=corruption[/bold] wrote:
as i have said before, the tories are all greedy, arrogant, self-centred arseholes. this will become apparent (again!) after the stupid population of britain vote them in again. just listen to the nasty bullying tactics of cameron on prime ministers question time. first you have to learn how to tune in to radio 4 and tear yourselves away from fox fm and chris moyles (the ****) [/quote] What A **** - At least the tories have had the balls to come clean - not like the fascists in NuLabour who not only are feathering their nests at the tax payers expense but also wrecking the country in the process - Flooding the country with Immigrants and AlQuieda wanna bees - just in the hope of maintaining their vote. Gordon Brown is an unelected Prime Minister who's party came to power on around 38% of the vote - So the majority of voters didnt want them any way - give us our referendum you tosser or better still resign and take your repugnant politics with you . He is a traitor and euro pawn , a destroyer of national identity
tories=corruption wrote:
as i have said before, the tories are all greedy, arrogant, self-centred arseholes. this will become apparent (again!) after the stupid population of britain vote them in again. just listen to the nasty bullying tactics of cameron on prime ministers question time. first you have to learn how to tune in to radio 4 and tear yourselves away from fox fm and chris moyles (the ****)
What A **** - At least the tories have had the balls to come clean - not like the fascists in NuLabour who not only are feathering their nests at the tax payers expense but also wrecking the country in the process - Flooding the country with Immigrants and AlQuieda wanna bees - just in the hope of maintaining their vote. Gordon Brown is an unelected Prime Minister who's party came to power on around 38% of the vote - So the majority of voters didnt want them any way - give us our referendum you tosser or better still resign and take your repugnant politics with you . He is a traitor and euro pawn , a destroyer of national identity
Posted by: Mr B, oxfordshire on 8:43am Thu 24 Jul 08
Never trust a politician - especially a TORY politician. Cameron and his cronies are just Thatcher in trousers - and look what a mess SHE made
Never trust a politician - especially a TORY politician. Cameron and his cronies are just Thatcher in trousers - and look what a mess SHE made
Posted by: Mr UK, UK on 8:45am Thu 24 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Mr B[/bold] wrote:
Never trust a politician - especially a TORY politician. Cameron and his cronies are just Thatcher in trousers - and look what a mess SHE made[/quote] Bull - Thatcher took a country that Labour had broken and made it into a world power again - NuLabour are Old tories in Drag
Mr B wrote:
Never trust a politician - especially a TORY politician. Cameron and his cronies are just Thatcher in trousers - and look what a mess SHE made
Bull - Thatcher took a country that Labour had broken and made it into a world power again - NuLabour are Old tories in Drag
Posted by: Vote Vaizey Out, Wantage on 8:46am Thu 24 Jul 08
[bold]PLEASE CAN WE ALL VOTE VAIZEY OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION!!![/bold] He is nothing but a Money taking fame seeking buffoon that has done and will do nothing for Wantage while he is in Office.
PLEASE CAN WE ALL VOTE VAIZEY OUT AT THE NEXT ELECTION!!! He is nothing but a Money taking fame seeking buffoon that has done and will do nothing for Wantage while he is in Office.
Posted by: Vote Vaizey Out,, Wantage on 9:02am Thu 24 Jul 08
I am sorry; Thatcher took this country to the brink of despair FACT!!!
The Tories are a party of no substance, its funny how they never offer solutions to the problems we have they just want to moan. The current crisis this Country is in is a Global crisis and I truly want to know what they would honestly do to assist our recovery. They will never get my Vote until they can stop there greed.
I am so looking forward to the Conservative Manifesto as I love good fairy tales!!
I am sorry; Thatcher took this country to the brink of despair FACT!!!
The Tories are a party of no substance, its funny how they never offer solutions to the problems we have they just want to moan. The current crisis this Country is in is a Global crisis and I truly want to know what they would honestly do to assist our recovery. They will never get my Vote until they can stop there greed.
I am so looking forward to the Conservative Manifesto as I love good fairy tales!!
Posted by: David, wantage on 9:39am Thu 24 Jul 08
Why would he need a dishwasher. He has two young children so presumably his wife is at home all day. Can't she do the washing up?
Why would he need a dishwasher. He has two young children so presumably his wife is at home all day. Can't she do the washing up?
Posted by: Alan Page, Guildford on 9:58am Thu 24 Jul 08
Just don't mention offshore accounts or tax exiles.
One house is a necessity, 2 is taking the ****.
Just don't mention offshore accounts or tax exiles.
One house is a necessity, 2 is taking the ****.
Posted by: Annoyed Voter, Wantage on 10:13am Thu 24 Jul 08
Ed Vaizey's smug face says it all - the cat has got the cream.
Why cant he use B&B like many of his constituents who have to travel to work from their family home? £13,000 in 3 months - how can this be justified?
Ed Vaizey's smug face says it all - the cat has got the cream.
Why cant he use B&B like many of his constituents who have to travel to work from their family home? £13,000 in 3 months - how can this be justified?
Posted by: Mr Ison, England on 10:41am Thu 24 Jul 08
18 months in the Navy should sort them out.
18 months in the Navy should sort them out.
Posted by: Johhny, Oxford on 11:23am Thu 24 Jul 08
VOTE BNP
Posted by: Voting Velma, Oxofrd on 12:20pm Thu 24 Jul 08
Is anyone really surprised? Once they get their noses in the trough they can't smell the whiff of corruption.
"It's a new house so I'll furnish it (AT YOUR EXPENSE SUCKERS!)"
Is anyone really surprised? Once they get their noses in the trough they can't smell the whiff of corruption.
"It's a new house so I'll furnish it (AT YOUR EXPENSE SUCKERS!)"
Posted by: Joe, Marston Road on 6:05pm Thu 24 Jul 08
Tories, clean and expenses are not to be seen in the same sentence. As per honesty!
Does not make sense of the English sense of values.
Get what you can, while you can; and stuff the consequences! The taxpayer will provide, yet again!
Tories, clean and expenses are not to be seen in the same sentence. As per honesty!
Does not make sense of the English sense of values.
Get what you can, while you can; and stuff the consequences! The taxpayer will provide, yet again!
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