mona
The Glory Game
Pity you didn't remember that Brighton and Hove were separate councils at that time. The Goldstone was in Hove.
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[Politics] Lord Bassam of Brighton
- Thread starter bha100
- Start date
Pity you didn't remember that Brighton and Hove were separate councils at that time. The Goldstone was in Hove.
vegster
Sanity Clause
- May 5, 2008
- 27,894
Hilarious listening to all the self righteous " holier than thou " whingeing on here. I bet virtually everyone posting here has left work early, falsely claimed overtime/ expenses or stolen from their employer at some time or other... Remember " every other bu@@er does it " is the old refrain.
And don't reply with the old " But he's an elected MP, we expect betterfrom those in high office " ... Just look at all those earning a packet in the City or in exec positions, they are all doing this too, it's called capitalism.
And don't reply with the old " But he's an elected MP, we expect betterfrom those in high office " ... Just look at all those earning a packet in the City or in exec positions, they are all doing this too, it's called capitalism.
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 35,310
the trouble is that the system is based on when MPs and Lords were gentlemen, if they stayed late at Parliament they'd pop back to their pied a terre, round the corner or a 10 minute cab ride. if they had to claim expenses on the lodgings, rent was cheap while staying in a hotel looked a bit elitist. when they came long the Labour MPs had grace and favor places paid for by their unions.
now its a different world, few MPs could afford a property in central London (unless they have one from the 90's). we want MPs to be treated equally, so the MP from Camden* or Brighton are entitled to the same as those from Cardiff or Burrow-in-Furness. so the first thing to sorting this is to break out of that mindset, but no one will, and here we are. *i believe there are some different rules for those in London boroughs, but that doesn't work either because it can be quite difficult/expensive to get the suburbs after midnight.
now its a different world, few MPs could afford a property in central London (unless they have one from the 90's). we want MPs to be treated equally, so the MP from Camden* or Brighton are entitled to the same as those from Cardiff or Burrow-in-Furness. so the first thing to sorting this is to break out of that mindset, but no one will, and here we are. *i believe there are some different rules for those in London boroughs, but that doesn't work either because it can be quite difficult/expensive to get the suburbs after midnight.
Given that Bassam has never been an elected MP (as opposed to an unelected peer), it's not clear to me why anyone would reply with that.
vegster
Sanity Clause
- May 5, 2008
- 27,894
I was speaking generally. Thank you for your exactitude in this case, you will go far on here.
pearl
Well-known member
I thought he was a squatter?
Good post.
Incredible that another poster thinks this massive misappropriation of our money is OK, because he's certain everyone has left work too early at times or might have worked in the evil City.
vegster
Sanity Clause
- May 5, 2008
- 27,894
It's not ' OK ' but it happens everywhere. Never had a " Cash " job done for you by a builder or a plumber? Everyone squeezes what they can. Can you honestly " Cast the first stone "?
portlock seagull
Why? Why us?
- Jul 28, 2003
- 17,075
But nothing to do with this morally wrong scandal. Doesn’t get him off the hook just because he was doing his job 10years ago. Public servant and all that.
There is a Big Difference in paying cash to a tradesman for services rendered ,
to that of claiming Many Thousands of pounds from the public purse that you are not entitled ...
drew
Drew
Exactly. To put it into perspective, this allowance was introduced in 2010 (I believe) so he has had 6 years of it. For argument sake let's say it is £36,000 annually, he has received £216,000 over 6 years. If he has only paid out £6,400 in travel annually, that's £38,400. The latter are actual costs incurred so he has profited to the tune of £177,600. Probably not quite as straightforward as that and not taking into account increases in allowances over the years but is it any wonder why he is paying back the travel expenses rather than the allowance!!!!
Buzzer
Languidly Clinical
- Oct 1, 2006
- 26,121
Agreed. There's no point trying to make partisan political capital out of these scandals because they all do it. It needs condemning across the board.
I suspect the least dent to Bassam’s bank balance was the favoured option.
Funny how money corrupts. Wealthy Tories and alleged Socialists found easy access to public money too enticing.
Agreed. Even Ernest can shirley condemn any of these snouts at the trough.
Sirnormangall
Well-known member
- Sep 21, 2017
- 2,969
Yes, of course I remember that. Hundreds of fans were lobbying both councils....... history now.
£216,000,!
tax free too ! , this isnt good enough , just paying back the smaller sum is it , ?
I would suggest that , were Lord Bassam a true socialist ,with a modicum of remorse. he should donate this larger sum to the aid of the many homeless in Brighton
London Irish
Well-known member
Yes not really difficult for lefties to condemn Bassam. Not exactly one of us is he. This should be a resignation matter, and the press would make sure it would be if it was a Corbyn supporter. Suspect as he isn’t the story will quickly be forgotten about
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,797
Goodbye and good riddance!