Margaret Moran hits back at critics of her expenses claims (From Daily Echo)
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Margaret Moran hits back at critics of her expenses claims
11:10am Sunday 10th May 2009 in
A LABOUR MP who switched her second home allowance to a house in Southampton before spending £22,500 on doing it up today defended her expenses claims Backbencher Margaret Moran hit back at allegations she was one of the MPs who had milked the system saying she had broken no rules.
The Luton South MP spent £22,500 of taxpayers' money treating dry rot at her and her husband's house in the city – 100 miles from her constituency and the House of Commons – shortly after switching her ''second home'' there.
Records showed the Parliamentary fees office thought the work on the house in Southampton went against the ''spirit'' of MPs' allowances, but the rules did not give officials grounds to dismiss the claim.
Today Miss Moran, who earns £64,766 a year, said the property in Ivy Road, St Denys, was vital to her maintaining a proper family life.
She said: “My partner works in Southampton and has done for 20 years. If I’m ever going to see my partner of 30 years, I can’t make him come to Luton all the time. I have to be able to have a proper family life sometimes, which I can’t do unless I share the costs of the Southampton home with him.
“You could argue that I use it to be able sustain my work. Any MP has to have a proper family life, they have to have the support of their partner. I defy anybody to try and do a proper job, much less an incredibly pressured job, and I believe that everybody is entitled to some support and family life.”
She added that the accusations, which emerged in a report in a national newspaper, had angered her.
She said: “Not only has it been very stressful for me and my family, it gives the incredibly misleading impression that somehow we’ve been dodgy, that we’ve been fraudulent or corrupt. Nothing is further from the truth.”
The Southampton house was originally bought in 1988 by Miss Moran's partner Mike Booker, who is thought to be safety adviser to the University of Southampton. Her name was only added to mortgage documents only last year.
No-one has been at the mid-terrace house 100 yards from the River Itchen waterfront this weekend.
Neighbour Pete Starnes said: “We only see them there occasionally. We don't have a lot to do with them if we can help it.”
He said work on their house included an extension to the back of the kitchen and an en-suite shower in the bedroom.
Comments(34)
Duncan Disorderly
says...
11:33am Sun 10 May 09
Forest Resident
says...
11:59am Sun 10 May 09
Duncan Disorderly wrote:Couldn't agree more. It's frighteningly evident that MP's clearly fail to understand that although no 'rules' have apparently been broken, they (the MP's) have milked the system for all its worth and have certainly not abided by the 'spirit' of the rules in only claiming for essential entitlements. They have instead continued their deciet by hiding behind these rules despite the vast mojority of them being exposed for the money grabbing whores they are. I work hard to pay for my my own home improvements on the one property that I own, why should an MP (a supposed servant of the people) be any different? This sad situation really has destroyed what little faith I had left in the current political system in this country, i'm emigrating as soon as humanly possible.
They're all bleating that it's "within the rules", but it doesn't alter the fact that it's a blatant fiddle to keep switching round the second home to whichever property needs improvement, particularly when like this wretched woman you've got more than two. I hope the voters in Luton kick her out at the earliest opportunity.
soton1980
says...
12:29pm Sun 10 May 09
Yes, some opposition MPs have been named as abusing the system too, but it seems to be predominantely Labour MPs. This government is incompetent and not one of the Labour MPs has said sorry.
Ozmosis
says...
12:37pm Sun 10 May 09
Having 3 houses paid for by the taxpayers (through the bending of expenses rules) takes the p*ss, and leaves the average bod in the street angry and disillusioned. These people really aren't in the real world.
NewForestStu
says...
12:43pm Sun 10 May 09
soton1980 wrote:If you think it is predominantly a labour thing you are deluded, i have no doubt they are all on the fiddle. When they get booted out all that happens is they either join the other house or jump on the Euro gravy train. All politicians should be made to clock in and out with parliament being their sole occupation i.e not being on letterheads and directors for other companies. About time they started earning their money.
GET LABOUR OUT! Yes, some opposition MPs have been named as abusing the system too, but it seems to be predominantely Labour MPs. This government is incompetent and not one of the Labour MPs has said sorry.
One MP from Christchurch a few years ago was whinging at the long hours she was putting in (travelling upto London etc etc), well if they don't like it then find another job......easy life springs to mind
Andy Locks Heath
says...
12:51pm Sun 10 May 09
Security word "tell-half". ha.
Georgem
says...
1:03pm Sun 10 May 09
Duncan Disorderly wrote:Does anybody remember explicitly agreeing to these famous rules? The mere fact that everybody is so aghast at the ongoing milking of the taxpayer should be sufficient to end this.
They're all bleating that it's "within the rules", but it doesn't alter the fact that it's a blatant fiddle to keep switching round the second home to whichever property needs improvement, particularly when like this wretched woman you've got more than two. I hope the voters in Luton kick her out at the earliest opportunity.
southy
says...
1:40pm Sun 10 May 09
fatboy
says...
2:36pm Sun 10 May 09
NO! they are changing it because the news rules on disclosure was going to show what we are seeing now. They would have never changed things as they all milk it!
As for it being in the rules, these people vote on their own pay rises and rules? How can we vote for any of them?
The BNP will benefit from the publics contempt.
cowley
says...
2:56pm Sun 10 May 09
we can only hope can't we.
Shazza (the genuine article, not an imposter)
says...
3:08pm Sun 10 May 09
Bright Spark wrote:Shut up you dick.
Oddly her name is an anagram for 'Mortar Manager'.
Well, she's got that weighed off nicely then.
southy
says...
3:14pm Sun 10 May 09
Mr BCB
says...
4:19pm Sun 10 May 09
Andy Locks Heath
says...
4:45pm Sun 10 May 09
southy wrote:That is a ludicrous point and is not even correct, as usual. Reimburesement of MPs' legitimate expense claims has been around for many years before Thatcher and good job too otherwise poorer MPs could not have afforded to run their consituencies as well as rich ones, so there is nothing wrong with the principle of expense reimbursement - the problem is MPs today who are abusing a system that once worked well. The rules have been modified many times before during and after Thatcher - you might as well blame Anthony Eden or Clement Atlee FFS. Are you seriously saying we should blame Thatcher personally and not the poor little MPs like hazel Blears or Jacqui Smith who couldn't help themselves but lie about where they lived? Are you saying that Thatcher intended for the rules to be exploited in this way? If you answer yes to either question you are a fool. In WW2 Germany nazis thought they could get away with their crimes by saying they were "only obeying orders" Now you are saying that labour can avoid blame by saying "We were only lying about where we lived and houses we'd never lived in (Baroness Udden) or council tax we hadn't even paid (Straw) because Thatcher enabled us to?" By the way Liechenstein is not in the EU so it doesn't make any difference whether we are in the EU or not. You're like that little grunt Jeremy Hardy twisting himself inside out to blame "Thatcher" for everything.
all those problems stem back to m.thacther it was her and her tory government that change the rules so this can happen, back in the 80's. like her changing the banking rules and what was the first thing she done moved her money to a liechtenstein bank. they look after there selfs they dont care about the ordinary people thats why i am asking every one to vote for NO2EU let them know it has to stop. lets face it, its the people off this land that has the real power not them.
Ian24
says...
6:35pm Sun 10 May 09
For many their time as an MP only lasts a short time, and they know this only too well .They also know they will not get anything over about 15k for their qualities in the private sector.
Nasty grabbing people.
cfordred
says...
6:44pm Sun 10 May 09
Locksheathen
says...
8:03pm Sun 10 May 09
10 Minute Man
says...
8:30pm Sun 10 May 09
If I went to my employer and said they ought to pay some extra money to look out for my personal circumstances over and above standard expenses, they'd invite me to find a job else where.
But only after they finished laughing at the sheer cheek of the suggestion.
S Pance
says...
8:53pm Sun 10 May 09
There are rules and it is obviously clear that Margaret hasnt broken any.
This is clearly tory anti-labour propaganda.
Miles Way
says...
9:12pm Sun 10 May 09
S Pance wrote:Apparently not, the Telegraph are now releasing details on Tory MP's- Alan Duncan with his gardening claims on the BBC site.
I dont see the problem.
There are rules and it is obviously clear that Margaret hasnt broken any.
This is clearly tory anti-labour propaganda.
Lets face it, simple greed transcends party politics.
Andy Locks Heath
says...
9:25pm Sun 10 May 09
Derek of Dibden Purlieu
says...
10:52pm Sun 10 May 09
Andy Locks Heath wrote:There are numerous titles people can earn by going to University as Andy would know if he'd got there. Years of studying can earn the title of Doctor and these studies do not necessarily include the use of a stethascope. I'm certain that Julian Lewis didn't just have a Doctorate put on his shoulders unlike the chip that Andy seems to carry on his.
Agreed Miles. The Tories have not been laying into Labour because they know they have snouts in the trough too, not least of whom is "Doctor" Julian Lewis, the grubby little MP for the New Forest.. Out of interest I learnt the other day that he is not a GP as I'd foolishly supposed but he has a PHd in politics! He has not actually done a day's real work (outside of being a Qangoist and party activist) in his life. What a conceited little runt to insist on using the title "Doctor" for such a pointless phoney thesis. Might as well have a doctorate for sociology or media studies!
sadtobehere
says...
6:38am Mon 11 May 09
Family Man
says...
8:19am Mon 11 May 09
As a working person I pay taxes to support these MPs lifestyle, as a customer of these companies I am expoited through higher prices than much of the rest of the world, at the same time I am told I have to exercise restraint in wages (and take a pay cut)and make economies to (presumably increase profitabilty so these sake duirectors can pay themselves more, and at the same time I have to pay high taxes to support the workshy and feclkess. And at the same time I am struggling to make ends meet for me and my family.
I feel like a herd beast, waiting to be milked, and at the end of a lifetimes service, slaughetered and eaten.
I have no evidence whether this country is better, or worse , than the rest of the world but truly I feel as though I am living in rip-off Britain, with everyone making a killing at my expense.
There is no moral authority, the church (possibly the only moral force left) is incapable of changing attitudes among the powerful and influential, indeed it is part of the establishment. And our society is morally corrupt.
And what will happen, MPs will simply legitimise what they can't conceal, and conceal what they can't legitimise.
Parliament is an exclusive club, run by its members for the benefit of its members, at taxpayers expense. It has no accountability insofar as one party is just the same as another, seeking to perpetuate its privelege and lifestyles.
Frankly I am sick to the stomach at all these pious self-righteous hypocrites who hide behind "the rules"...but, like the majority of decent people, utterly impotent in my outrage to change things.
Tommy News
says...
10:02am Mon 11 May 09
Thomas Upton
says...
10:17am Mon 11 May 09
Bartonian
says...
11:13am Mon 11 May 09
southy
says...
12:38pm Mon 11 May 09
johnbullas
says...
3:59pm Mon 11 May 09
johnbullas
says...
4:16pm Mon 11 May 09
Andy Locks Heath
says...
6:32pm Mon 11 May 09
Derek of Dibden Purlieu wrote:Derek, I have a PHd awarded by Imperial College and I am entitled to use the prefix myself. I choose not to unless it's in relation to my work because it's pompous and pointless. Julian Lewis is a pompous, and incompetent cretin as well as a being a hypocrite.
Andy Locks Heath wrote:There are numerous titles people can earn by going to University as Andy would know if he'd got there. Years of studying can earn the title of Doctor and these studies do not necessarily include the use of a stethascope. I'm certain that Julian Lewis didn't just have a Doctorate put on his shoulders unlike the chip that Andy seems to carry on his.
Agreed Miles. The Tories have not been laying into Labour because they know they have snouts in the trough too, not least of whom is "Doctor" Julian Lewis, the grubby little MP for the New Forest.. Out of interest I learnt the other day that he is not a GP as I'd foolishly supposed but he has a PHd in politics! He has not actually done a day's real work (outside of being a Qangoist and party activist) in his life. What a conceited little runt to insist on using the title "Doctor" for such a pointless phoney thesis. Might as well have a doctorate for sociology or media studies!
B. L.
says...
10:02pm Mon 11 May 09
:)
Andy Locks Heath
says...
6:19pm Tue 12 May 09
southy wrote:I see. So are you saying that Blair and Brown are still so afraid of here that they have not changed these rules after 12 years in power? Why is that? Could it be that the changes she made enjoy universal support as they ensure that even MPs from poorer backgrounds do not have to risk losing their livelihood if they only serve for one term? The trouble is SOuthy you get a piece of data but you don't apply thought or reason to it. You are so determined to demonise absolutely everything that Thatcher did that you make your own cause look stupid and dishonest. The recompense package for MPs was set up with the best of intentions, but it has been abused by MPs of all sides exploiting the letter rather than the spirit in which thos rules were drawn. Margaret Thatcher is now a sick old lady but I wonder if you can explain how the benefits she receives as someone who led the country for 12 years are somehow greater than (say) Tony Benn (who never led anything but apparently can do no wrong?)
andy pre 80's business paid for the 2nd homes off the torys while they was in office, and the same was for the libs, the unions paid for the labour members while in office. m.thatcher change this to the tax payer to pay for this has at the time, torys held the majority even when adding all the other party together and they also had the majority in the house off lords and was pushed though fast, because companys was going under and closing down, and no longer was givng money to the tory pary to pay for all off this. there is a lot more she and her government done in the 80's that will be seeing coming up soon. oh i dont know if you know but m.thatcher is still claiming off the tax payers and we are still paying for her, another rule she changed.
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Bright Spark says...
11:30am Sun 10 May 09
Well, she's got that weighed off nicely then.