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'Shocking' expenses scandal - for the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald

THE SCANDAL about the way that some MPs have used their allowances has rightly shocked the country.

It has also shocked those MPs, including myself, who simply use the expenses to cover some of the extra costs of being away from home during the week.

The practice of calculated 'flipping’ between properties declared as second homes for financial gain is morally wrong and completely unacceptable. Anyone who has behaved in this way in order to enrich themselves should repay the money.

If they don’t agree to do that, they should lose their jobs. Nor is it clear how anyone could think that draining a moat or housing ducks on a country estate was legitimate.

This openness is welcome and long overdue – sunlight is the best disinfectant. Anyone who wants to see the amounts I have spent can look at my website – www.dannyalexander.org.uk

The allowances cover the basic costs of my small two-bed flat in London – like mortgage interest, utility bills, Council Tax. Because I worked in London 10 years ago, I had furnished a flat myself and took that with me when I moved two years ago. So I have only claimed for necessary repairs and to replace things that have become dilapidated or broken. My latest expenditure is listed on the website every month.

I also have one of the highest travel costs of any MP, because I represent one of the largest constituencies and travel regularly to London. Most people I have spoken to about this understand that an MP from the Highlands needs accommodation in London. It is the abuses – and the lack of checks –that have caused such anger.

Frankly, MPs only have themselves to blame – not just for their claims, but because whenever reform has been debated, Parliament has blocked it despite the best efforts from the Liberal Democrats and a handful of individuals in other parties.

For example, last July there was a vote on a strong package of reforms. All Liberal Democrats voted for it but it was blocked by Labour and Tory backbenchers. Both Labour and Tory MPs outrageously attempted to exempt Parliament from Freedom of Information – we now know why – and it was only through the actions of Lib Dems that this was blocked.

We must urgently take MPs out of the property speculation game. MPs must no longer be able to 'flip’ their homes for personal gain or make big profits at the expense of the taxpayer. We should replace the second home allowance with a simple payment to cover actual expenditure on basic costs only.

Christopher Kelly is conducting an independent review of the whole system. It must be accepted in full by MPs, without quibbling over details. Only then can people be confident that long-needed reform will finally be pushed through.

Fuel costs

THE DEPRESSING saga of expenses has pushed aside other more important issues affecting the country.

The economy is in recession and the price of fuel continues to be a greater burden in the Highlands than elsewhere in the country.

Two weeks ago I put forward again in Parliament a proposal to cut fuel duty for people who live in remote and rural areas. It is a very simple idea, which several other European countries already do. It would also show that the higher fuel costs, longer distances, and lack of public transport in much of the Highlands was recognised.

I am very disappointed to report that Labour and Conservative MPs blocked the plan. The Tory spokesman made an offensive comparison between a pint of beer in London and fuel costs in the North. I will keep fighting on this issue until others understand the basic truth that in the Highlands a car is a necessity, not a luxury.

Euro poll

THE EUROPEAN elections have gone largely unnoticed so far, but what goes on Brussels affects us directly in the Strath.

Whether it is rules and subsidies for farmers, action on climate change, or funds for projects in the Highlands, decisions taken in Brussels really matter in the Highlands.

That’s why I believe it is so important to make sure we have at least one MEP from the Highlands and Islands elected this time. The Lib Dems’ top candidate, George Lyon, a farmer from Argyll and former MSP, is the only Highlander with a real chance of winning. He was in Aviemore this week, and would be a strong voice for our area.

Posted on: 27/05/2009