Political blog: At last - a Kent MP publishes his expenses receipts
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I've been
puzzled why Kent MPs have not moved more quickly to publish all the
detailed receipts and bills associated with their expenses claims.
But at last, one has seized the moment and got around to letting
the public know exactly where their money has gone.
The Labour backbencher and Thanet South MP Dr Steve
Ladyman has become the first to put on his website all his
claim forms,
alongside various bills and receipts, in what he says is "the
interests of full transparency" and because he wants to set an
example.
Generally, the details I've seen seem fairly pedestrian and not
in the controversy-triggering mould of those who have had moats
cleared and swimming pools fixed but at least they are out there
for people to see.
I have to say that if Dr Ladyman has found the time to redact
sensitive material from four years' worth of claims and made it a
priority, it is perplexing why others feel they can't.
The MP himself tells me that although he thinks some of his
colleagues are unnecessarily dragging their feet, notwithstanding
their concerns about breaching Data Protection legislation.
Some MPs have told me they are choosing to wait until the formal
publication of the allowances details in June because they believe
that it is important they come out in what they describe as "an
orderly fashion." Among them are the Ashford MP Damian Green and
Folkestone and Hythe MP Michael Howard.
It's not a wholly convincing argument. If I was an MP, I'd be
inclined to be moving as fast as I could do publish everything as
soon as I could, regardless of the official timetable set by the
Commons' authorities
To be fair, there are other Kent MPs who have chosen to
share details of their allowances and claims.
Both Dartford MP Howard Stoate (Labour) and
the Gravesham MP Adam Holloway (Con) have handed
over their files to our newspapers, The Gravesend
Messenger and Dartford Messenger. But niether has yet
managed to put them online on websites for all to see.
See our story here
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Nick Clegg's scheduled visit to Kent - taking
in Maidstone and Coxheath - on Monday comes at an interesting time.
There's no doubt the Liberal Democrats feel they have emerged from
the whole allowances' scandal less tainted by the other two parties
and there is a sense this could prove an important factor when it
comes to the county council election and European election on
Thursday.
Of course, Mr Clegg will also be emphasising his role in
securing a Government U-turn over the Ghurkas - another issue which
may also have a resonance with voters in Kent.
Either way, it is the first time I can recall that the leader of
the Liberal Democrat party has visited the county so close to
polling day. In the past, Kent has been something of a Cinderella
county for Lib Dem leaders, who have tended to focus more on their
traditional strongholds when it comes to campaigns.
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If you're a
politician looking for a celebrity endorsement, who might you
choose? I suspect the actress and Ghurka champion Joanna
Lumley might come pretty close to the top of most MPs'
list - indeed, some have been encouraging her to stand as a
candidate herself.
But it is Dr Caroline Lucas, the Green party
MEP who is hoping to be returned for a further term at the European
Election, who will be getting the Lumley vote.
“Caroline Lucas is a tireless campaigner in the European
Parliament, staunchly defending human rights, and strongly
promoting greater protection for animals,” said the actress.
“I urge you to cast a positive vote for a better future by voting
Green in the European Elections.”
In something of an under-statement, Ms Lucas said she was
delighted with the endorsement.
Friday, May 29 2009
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