As comebacks go, it was relatively low key. "It's nice to be back," said Peter Hain, as he spoke from the despatch box for the first time in 17 months.
"Even though my appointment was marked by an earthquake a few miles from my home."
Having spent the past week elsewhere, I was prepared for parliamentary tumult after so many turbulent days.
Then I remembered: nah, it's Welsh Questions. Question Time turned into something of a love-in, with everyone apparently pleased to see Mr Hain back in charge.
Even Plaid Cymru's parliamentary leader, Elfyn Llwyd, a past critic of the Neath MP, welcomed him back.
His past and present shadow, Cheryl Gillan, found some warm words for the man axed to make way for Mr Hain's return.
"In welcoming the return of the new Secretary of State, I also want to express my admiration for his predecessor.
"I've enjoyed working with Mr Murphy, a decent and straightforward man.
"We will miss his common sense and dedication to Wales, and I wonder what sort
of Prime Minister we have who could so easily dispense with his services."
Lembit Opik told the Commons Mr Hain should not have had to stand down in the first place.
Mr Hain gave every appearance of enjoying his comeback. As I write, he's leading for the Government in a lively debate on Plaid Cymru's attempt to force a general election.
"Low turnout at elections is the clearest sign that the British people are not engaged with the political process: that is our fault and not theirs. We seem obsessed with procedure and tribal party politics and now the public think MPs are all in this for our own ends."
Low turn-out isn't confined to voters: I'd guesstimate that barely 10 per cent of MPs have turned up for the debate.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
A volunteer no more
No wonder he's smiling. Having toiled as Harriet Harman's 
deputy for the past eight months, Chris Bryant has finally been put on the Government payroll.
The newly-promoted Foreign Office Minister will be around £30,000 a year richer after Gordon Brown completed his reshuffle of junior government posts.
Although once known as an ultra-Blairite, the Rhondda MP was among those involved in the coup against Tony Blair in late 2006.
Others involved in the coup against Blair, such as Wayne David and Mark Tami, have prospered in a Brown Government, although Mr Tami also had to get by on his backbencher's salary for a while.
Another who resigned as an (unpaid) parliamentary aide in the Blair administration, Ian Lucas, was today promoted from assistant whip to junior Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills under the unofficial deputy PM Lord Mandelson.
As the Wrexham MP puts it: “It will be very exciting to work with Lord Mandelson and other colleagues in the department."
deputy for the past eight months, Chris Bryant has finally been put on the Government payroll.
The newly-promoted Foreign Office Minister will be around £30,000 a year richer after Gordon Brown completed his reshuffle of junior government posts.
Although once known as an ultra-Blairite, the Rhondda MP was among those involved in the coup against Tony Blair in late 2006.
Others involved in the coup against Blair, such as Wayne David and Mark Tami, have prospered in a Brown Government, although Mr Tami also had to get by on his backbencher's salary for a while.
Another who resigned as an (unpaid) parliamentary aide in the Blair administration, Ian Lucas, was today promoted from assistant whip to junior Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills under the unofficial deputy PM Lord Mandelson.
As the Wrexham MP puts it: “It will be very exciting to work with Lord Mandelson and other colleagues in the department."
BNP: at home in Wales?
Now things have quietened down a bit, I'm being sent back to Westminster. Do let me know if I've missed anything important.
The reason for my temporary exile from SW1 can be found here. I've spent some time following the BNP around Wales, which for some reason is home to several figures from the party leadership.
During the last few weeks, we've been accused by anti-BNP campaigners of going soft on the party. A member of the programme's production team received two death threats after his details appeared on a blog published by a member of the BNP's leadership.
Do tune in, or watch the programme online, and make your own mind up.
The reason for my temporary exile from SW1 can be found here. I've spent some time following the BNP around Wales, which for some reason is home to several figures from the party leadership.
During the last few weeks, we've been accused by anti-BNP campaigners of going soft on the party. A member of the programme's production team received two death threats after his details appeared on a blog published by a member of the BNP's leadership.
Do tune in, or watch the programme online, and make your own mind up.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Right place, right time
A surreal night spent in a tin barn just outside Haverfordwest.
The location of the national Welsh European election count was not perhaps the best advert for 21st century Wales - no broadband and the results read against an anonymous grey backdrop that passed up the opportunity to advertise the delights of Pembrokeshire.
For once, given my recent luck, it felt as if I was in the vicinity of the story. Twelve years ago, when the Tories were wiped off the map in Wales, no-one would have predicted a comeback that would see them as the largest party.
Labour will take some consolation that the low turn-out suggests their voters disproportionately stayed at home, but the Conservatives will also hope to reclaim some Euro-sceptic votes from UKIP at the next general election.
There was a long wait for the results, filled by spin from the political parties. Plaid Cymru, assuming they'd come second, tried to persuade us that this was a significant development as they would be the leading party of the left. They stopped spinning this analysis when the votes came in and they came third.
Labour blamed the expenses scandal for their woes, although tales of duck houses, moats and dog food on the taxpayer don't appear to have damaged the Tories. The silver lining for Labour is that they can more credibly warn voters of a Conservative threat at the general election - the danger for Labour is that the electorate may not longer be scared by that prospect.
UKIP's success appeared to take them by surprise, their winning candidate struggling to give the impression that gaining election to the European Parliament was a lifetime's ambition achieved.
UKIP may have swept up the anti-politician vote after the expenses scandal but it also suggests that not every voter in Wales views politics through a Welsh prism.
But it's the Tories who are wearing the biggest smiles today after the collapse of the Labour vote allowed them to claim victory with only two per cent more of the vote than last time. As I write, David Cameron is heading for Cardiff to join in the party.
The location of the national Welsh European election count was not perhaps the best advert for 21st century Wales - no broadband and the results read against an anonymous grey backdrop that passed up the opportunity to advertise the delights of Pembrokeshire.
For once, given my recent luck, it felt as if I was in the vicinity of the story. Twelve years ago, when the Tories were wiped off the map in Wales, no-one would have predicted a comeback that would see them as the largest party.
Labour will take some consolation that the low turn-out suggests their voters disproportionately stayed at home, but the Conservatives will also hope to reclaim some Euro-sceptic votes from UKIP at the next general election.
There was a long wait for the results, filled by spin from the political parties. Plaid Cymru, assuming they'd come second, tried to persuade us that this was a significant development as they would be the leading party of the left. They stopped spinning this analysis when the votes came in and they came third.
Labour blamed the expenses scandal for their woes, although tales of duck houses, moats and dog food on the taxpayer don't appear to have damaged the Tories. The silver lining for Labour is that they can more credibly warn voters of a Conservative threat at the general election - the danger for Labour is that the electorate may not longer be scared by that prospect.
UKIP's success appeared to take them by surprise, their winning candidate struggling to give the impression that gaining election to the European Parliament was a lifetime's ambition achieved.
UKIP may have swept up the anti-politician vote after the expenses scandal but it also suggests that not every voter in Wales views politics through a Welsh prism.
But it's the Tories who are wearing the biggest smiles today after the collapse of the Labour vote allowed them to claim victory with only two per cent more of the vote than last time. As I write, David Cameron is heading for Cardiff to join in the party.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Back to the future
With what has become an uncanny gift for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, I'm in Cardiff today, working on a documentary about the BNP, rather than in Westminster.
So I'll leave the predictions to my colleagues closer to the action. There is a natural justice in Peter Hain's return after the police investigation into his deputy leadership campaign came to nothing. His Wales Office comeback will certainly raise its profile in the run-up to the general election.
But there will be widespread sympathy among Labour MPs at the sacking of Paul Murphy. He appears to have done nothing wrong, other than replacing his boiler on safety grounds.
The Torfaen MP left government with a typically gracious statement: "I have been very proud to have served in Gordon Brown's Cabinet for the past seventeen months, and I fully support his remaining as our Prime Minister."
It will be left to the newly-reshuffled Cabinet to explain Labour's performance in the European elections when the votes are counted on Sunday.
With an all-Wales turnout of 30.5 per cent, the potential for some interesting results is certainly there (an observation, not a prediction!).
So I'll leave the predictions to my colleagues closer to the action. There is a natural justice in Peter Hain's return after the police investigation into his deputy leadership campaign came to nothing. His Wales Office comeback will certainly raise its profile in the run-up to the general election.
But there will be widespread sympathy among Labour MPs at the sacking of Paul Murphy. He appears to have done nothing wrong, other than replacing his boiler on safety grounds.
The Torfaen MP left government with a typically gracious statement: "I have been very proud to have served in Gordon Brown's Cabinet for the past seventeen months, and I fully support his remaining as our Prime Minister."
It will be left to the newly-reshuffled Cabinet to explain Labour's performance in the European elections when the votes are counted on Sunday.
With an all-Wales turnout of 30.5 per cent, the potential for some interesting results is certainly there (an observation, not a prediction!).
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Question Time
A silver lining amid the gathering storm clouds? Prime Minister's Question Time was not as bad as some Labour MPs feared and no Minister has resigned for, ooh, several hours now.
Gordon Brown was calm throughout his half-hour in the Commons, offering magnanimous words for his departing Ministers despite provocation from the opposition parties.
Hazel Blears' resignation offered David Cameron an open goal. He said what you'd expect him to say. It felt as if Mr Cameron was pulling the odd punch.
Perhaps the most worrying thing for Labour would be for the Tories to go soft on the PM in their desire to keep him in Downing Street rather than a more voter-friendly alternative such as Alan Johnson?
There are reports of MPs being canvassed about a "Gordon Must Go" letter that could be presented to Downing Street as early as tonight.
You'd think Labour MPs would be doing a different sort of canvassing today and I've failed to find a backbencher who's been asked to sign a letter.
That said, there are plenty of Labour MPs who are unhappy with Mr Brown's leadership. Expect more to say so publicly when the polls close tomorrow night,
Gordon Brown was calm throughout his half-hour in the Commons, offering magnanimous words for his departing Ministers despite provocation from the opposition parties.
Hazel Blears' resignation offered David Cameron an open goal. He said what you'd expect him to say. It felt as if Mr Cameron was pulling the odd punch.
Perhaps the most worrying thing for Labour would be for the Tories to go soft on the PM in their desire to keep him in Downing Street rather than a more voter-friendly alternative such as Alan Johnson?
There are reports of MPs being canvassed about a "Gordon Must Go" letter that could be presented to Downing Street as early as tonight.
You'd think Labour MPs would be doing a different sort of canvassing today and I've failed to find a backbencher who's been asked to sign a letter.
That said, there are plenty of Labour MPs who are unhappy with Mr Brown's leadership. Expect more to say so publicly when the polls close tomorrow night,
Timing
Hazel Blears timed her resignation to have the greatest political impact, 24 hours before elections that may decide the Prime Minister's future.
Will she now try to stand against Gordon Brown? (It's not easy under Labour Party rules to challenge a leader, but she may gather support from those who want the PM out).
Her resignation statement contains not a single word of support for Mr Brown: "Today I have told the Prime Minister that I am resigning from the Government.
"My politics has always been rooted in the belief that ordinary people are
capable of extraordinary things, given the right support and encouragement.
"The role of a progressive Government should be to pass power to the people.
"I've never sought high office for the sake of it, or for what I can gain, but
for what I can achieve for the people I represent and serve.
"In this next phase of my political life I am redoubling my efforts to speak
up for the people of Salford as their Member of Parliament.
"I am returning to the grassroots (where I began), to political activism, to
the cut and thrust of political debate.
"Most of all I want to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the British
people, to remind them that our values are their values, that their hopes and
dreams are ours too.
"I am glad to be going home to the people who matter the most to me: the
people of Salford.
"Finally, there's an important set of elections tomorrow. My message is
simple: get out and vote Labour."
Will she now try to stand against Gordon Brown? (It's not easy under Labour Party rules to challenge a leader, but she may gather support from those who want the PM out).
Her resignation statement contains not a single word of support for Mr Brown: "Today I have told the Prime Minister that I am resigning from the Government.
"My politics has always been rooted in the belief that ordinary people are
capable of extraordinary things, given the right support and encouragement.
"The role of a progressive Government should be to pass power to the people.
"I've never sought high office for the sake of it, or for what I can gain, but
for what I can achieve for the people I represent and serve.
"In this next phase of my political life I am redoubling my efforts to speak
up for the people of Salford as their Member of Parliament.
"I am returning to the grassroots (where I began), to political activism, to
the cut and thrust of political debate.
"Most of all I want to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the British
people, to remind them that our values are their values, that their hopes and
dreams are ours too.
"I am glad to be going home to the people who matter the most to me: the
people of Salford.
"Finally, there's an important set of elections tomorrow. My message is
simple: get out and vote Labour."
Business as usual
Business as usual here today......just the one ministerial resignation so far. Hazel Blears has resigned as Communities Secretary.
She may have jumped before Gordon Brown could push her over what he called "totally unacceptable" behaviour, but for a Cabinet Minister to quit 24 hours before the European and English local elections is pretty extraordinary.
Prime Minister's Questions at noon could be fun, for those who enjoy blood sports.
Heaven knows what the departing Ministers will say once the people have voted and the need for party unity is less pressing....
She may have jumped before Gordon Brown could push her over what he called "totally unacceptable" behaviour, but for a Cabinet Minister to quit 24 hours before the European and English local elections is pretty extraordinary.
Prime Minister's Questions at noon could be fun, for those who enjoy blood sports.
Heaven knows what the departing Ministers will say once the people have voted and the need for party unity is less pressing....
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Election fever
You can't put an opposition MP in front of a camera at the moment without them demanding an immediate general election .
Next week they'll have the chance to vote for one. Plaid Cymru are to use their debating time in the Commons to call for a dissolution of Parliament.
Plaid and the SNP will use the debate to put pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a snap election.
Don't expect a massive turnout but it should be interesting to see how many turn up to vote for another encounter with the electors - particularly if any Labour MPs decide they really, really want an election now.
Next week they'll have the chance to vote for one. Plaid Cymru are to use their debating time in the Commons to call for a dissolution of Parliament.
Plaid and the SNP will use the debate to put pressure on Gordon Brown to hold a snap election.
Don't expect a massive turnout but it should be interesting to see how many turn up to vote for another encounter with the electors - particularly if any Labour MPs decide they really, really want an election now.
Thursday, 28 May 2009
All the analysis you need
However many trees have been felled to bring you in-depth coverage of the expenses scandal, it's hard to beat the succinct analysis of ITN's political editor.
Tom Bradby's conclusion, as written in Total Politics magazine?
"A small minority of MPs has been completely and utterly taking the p***." [my asterisks]
It probably works better in print. Somehow I can't hear Tom saying it on air, before adding "and now back to you in the studio, Trevor".
Tom Bradby's conclusion, as written in Total Politics magazine?
"A small minority of MPs has been completely and utterly taking the p***." [my asterisks]
It probably works better in print. Somehow I can't hear Tom saying it on air, before adding "and now back to you in the studio, Trevor".
Wrong place, wrong time
In journalism, as in the Manchester United penalty area, there's no substitute for being in the right place at the right time.
As the Commons Speaker fell on his sword for the first time in more than 300 years, I was more than 5,000 miles from Westminster, filming in South Africa.
I'd left these shores with the naive belief that the Chancellor was one person who would know how to fill in a tax return. Not for the first time this month, conventional assumptions have been challenged.
As the Commons Speaker fell on his sword for the first time in more than 300 years, I was more than 5,000 miles from Westminster, filming in South Africa.
I'd left these shores with the naive belief that the Chancellor was one person who would know how to fill in a tax return. Not for the first time this month, conventional assumptions have been challenged.
I returned to discover my taxes had been spent on duck islands, staff quarters, Farrow & Ball wallpaper, childcare for a Minister's staff and enough large screen TVs to keep several windfarms ticking over.
There was also a further shift in the political mood, with even those MPs who believed the media were setting themselves up as arbiters of morality now apologising for their role in a discredited system.
Julie Kirkbride is still hanging on as MP for Bromsgrove despite today's Telegraph headlines.
When politicians take to the airwaves to use "my little boy" as a justification for their use of public funds, you know they're in trouble. You wouldn't put your mortgage, taxpayer-funded or otherwise, on her survival hopes.
I returned in time to read Elfyn Llwyd's transparent explanation of his own expenses in yesterday's Daily Post.
Mr Llwyd stressed his frugality by telling the paper: "I live south of the river".
Those of us who find ourselves in the same geographically challenged situation look forward to the sympathy of MPs and perhaps the odd food parcel sent with a Meirionnydd postmark.
UPDATE: Julie Kirkbride has announced that she is standing down at the next election, as will the Labour MP Margaret Moran.
Friday, 15 May 2009
A moat point
One of the more creative responses to the expenses crisis is the idea from the Monmouth Conservative MP David Davies that an independent panel of individuals "above reproach" should vet his expenses.
Mr Davies suggested to a colleague of mine that I might be a suitable person to join the panel, even though I'm not a constituent.
I was briefly tempted by the prospect of rifling through an MP's receipts every now and again. I can well understand that the idea of a journalist vetting expenses may amuse some politicians.
Alas, I fear I shall have to decline - and not for the reason that he might seek reciprocal rights to check my own (rather modest) expenses.
I am, however, prepared to inspect Mr Davies's moat should he ever try to claim expenses for one.
I am filming away from Westminster for the next week, so blogging may be light to non-existent. I suspect one fewer hack around the place may cheer up MPs feeling (understandably) a bit down in the current atmosphere even if it reduces the opportunity for shooting the messenger.
Mr Davies suggested to a colleague of mine that I might be a suitable person to join the panel, even though I'm not a constituent.
I was briefly tempted by the prospect of rifling through an MP's receipts every now and again. I can well understand that the idea of a journalist vetting expenses may amuse some politicians.
Alas, I fear I shall have to decline - and not for the reason that he might seek reciprocal rights to check my own (rather modest) expenses.
I am, however, prepared to inspect Mr Davies's moat should he ever try to claim expenses for one.
I am filming away from Westminster for the next week, so blogging may be light to non-existent. I suspect one fewer hack around the place may cheer up MPs feeling (understandably) a bit down in the current atmosphere even if it reduces the opportunity for shooting the messenger.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Secret Santa revealed
The identity of the MP who allegedly claimed 59 pence on expenses for a chocolate Santa has been revealed by the Telegraph.
Sian James is not very happy with the Telegraph. She tells me it wasn't a Santa. It was a packet of chocolate coins for her nephew.
It appeared on a supermarket receipt submitted under the rules alongside other items legitimately claimed but was neither claimed for nor paid.
It may appear on the unredacted receipts obtained by the Telegraph but won't appear on the redacted ones to be published next week.
The Swansea One is innocent.
Sian James is not very happy with the Telegraph. She tells me it wasn't a Santa. It was a packet of chocolate coins for her nephew.
It appeared on a supermarket receipt submitted under the rules alongside other items legitimately claimed but was neither claimed for nor paid.
It may appear on the unredacted receipts obtained by the Telegraph but won't appear on the redacted ones to be published next week.
The Swansea One is innocent.
Bloodied but unbowed
This is the latest MP to be caught up in the expenses scandal, possibly bearing the scars of a painful encounter with the Conservative leadership after reading today's Telegraph.
Stephen Crabb is widely seen as a Tory high-flier, a rising star, and an assiduous constituency MP. His website tells how he and his family returned to settle in Pembrokeshire before the last general election.
Except we now know that his main home for some time was a rented property in London, not the home where Mrs Crabb and their children live outside Haverfordwest.
The Pembrokeshire house was officially Mr Crabb's second home, hence he was able to claim on his expenses £9,300 for the stamp duty paid in its purchase. The taxpayer paid for the interest on the mortgage he has on this home.
This is, of course, entirely within the rules, and Mr Crabb denies there was any financial motive behind his re-designation of his second home. Like Jacqui Smith and Hazel Blears, his second home has varied between his constituency and London. It is now his London flat once more.
All perfectly within the rules, although the Conservatives' new scrutiny panel may have the final say on this.
Mr Crabb issued a statement late last night in his defence:
"Every decision I have made about accommodation as Member of Parliament has been made with the explicit guidance of the Fees Office. Indeed, the switch of my designated second home from London to the constituency in October 2007 was actually suggested to me by an official in the Fees Office.
"At the time I was not just using a room in a flat rented by another MP in Westminster, as implied in the Daily Telegraph article, I was actually the joint-tenant on a fully commercial basis and shared all costs of the property.
"I reject the allegation of ‘flipping’ my London property to make a profit as a result of taxpayer-funded refurbishments. The flat I sold in August 2007 in South East London was bought by me in 1997.
"During the 12 months that I claimed Additional Costs Allowance against this property I, along with all the freeholders on the estate, paid for obligatory external paintwork to be done and
I also claimed for five new windows following a burglary at the flat.
"The cost of this work was approximately £3,000. I am advised that this capital work did not materially affect the sale value of the property.
"Over the last four years juggling family life in two locations 250 miles apart has been extremely difficult. It has not been easy achieving settled arrangements but at no stage have I sought to change addresses for capital gain or to avoid capital gains tax.
"I stopped claiming ACA against the constituency property in summer 2008 after we had started renovating it as I did not consider it appropriate to enhance a property for which the taxpayer paid the mortgage interest.
"No renovation work on this property was charged to my ACA. I have referred all my accommodation arrangements over the last four years to the new Scrutiny Panel for independent advice on the claims I have made."
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Lembit on TV (again)
Lembit Opik is better known for appearing as a celebrity on TV rather than watching it.
But details of expense claims published by the Daily Telegraph today reveal he is also a fan of the gogglebox.
The Montgomeryshire MP (and star of numerous reality shows) tried to claim £2,499 for a 42-inch plasma television.
The claim was turned down - proof, says Mr Opik, that the system works.
He was re-imbursed £40 for a legal summons for non-payment of his council tax on his second home in south London.
The former Welsh Lib Dem leader says he's willing to pay back the claim.
But details of expense claims published by the Daily Telegraph today reveal he is also a fan of the gogglebox.
The Montgomeryshire MP (and star of numerous reality shows) tried to claim £2,499 for a 42-inch plasma television.
The claim was turned down - proof, says Mr Opik, that the system works.
He was re-imbursed £40 for a legal summons for non-payment of his council tax on his second home in south London.
The former Welsh Lib Dem leader says he's willing to pay back the claim.
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Pedigree chump?
Meet Curby, the Lhasa Apso. If he looks well fed, thank you. You apparently paid for his grub.
Curby's owner, shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, claimed £4.47 for dog food as part of her parliamentary expenses. She's now willing to pay the money back.
Her leader, David Cameron, has acknowledged that tomorrow will be a bad day for the Conservative Party: “We have to start by saying that the system we had and used was wrong and that we are sorry about that.”
Curby, alas, is no longer with us, having left for that great kennel in the sky.
Curby's owner, shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, claimed £4.47 for dog food as part of her parliamentary expenses. She's now willing to pay the money back.
Her leader, David Cameron, has acknowledged that tomorrow will be a bad day for the Conservative Party: “We have to start by saying that the system we had and used was wrong and that we are sorry about that.”
Curby, alas, is no longer with us, having left for that great kennel in the sky.
MPs in hot water
If I had a pound for every time I've heard the phrase "it's all within the rules" then I'd probably be able to buy myself a decent TV with enough left over for a tin opener and a few light bulbs.
The Telegraph newspapers have given MPs an uncomfortable time during the last 72 hours, and there is more to come.
The focus so far has largely been on Labour Ministers. Paul Murphy's plumbing arrangements and Kevin Brennan's (second) home entertainment have made headlines.
Paul Murphy is widely-regarded as an honest self-effacing politician, about as likely to enrich himself at public expense as he is to seek a high profile.
He may prefer to get on with the job privately but a publicity-shy approach can bring its own problems. Will voters remember him for his role in the political process in Northern Ireland and Wales or as the man who billed the taxpayer for a £6 tin opener and £1.98 worth of lightbulbs?
Most voters understand that MPs do work in two places, even if the rules are so lax you can claim for a home that is neither in your constituency nor London. Most voters don't understand how MPs can apparently maximise their expenses by "flipping" their choice of first and second home.
Funnily enough, I suspect some voters will resent more the small claims (one MP was re-imbursed 5p for a carrier bag, Jacqui Smith's bathplug cost 88p) than the bigger amounts for accommodation.
The Welsh Assembly's presiding officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, whose overnight "subsistence" in the House of Lords last year totalled £497 for the 27 days he attended, told the BBC: "I just don't know what they thought they were doing, and that they thought they could ever get away with it."
Perhaps the regime was tighter during Lord Elis-Thomas's 18 years as an MP, all before the Fredom of Information Act.
My colleague Felicity Evans did point out that Assembly Members have had the odd problem with expenses involving iPods, trouser presses etc. (I think it was an AM who first claimed for a Remembrance Day wreath, a habit that has caught on with one Tory MP).
Lord Elis-Thomas pointed out that the claims were of a slightly smaller scale - and backed by receipts.
The Telegraph newspapers have given MPs an uncomfortable time during the last 72 hours, and there is more to come.
The focus so far has largely been on Labour Ministers. Paul Murphy's plumbing arrangements and Kevin Brennan's (second) home entertainment have made headlines.
Paul Murphy is widely-regarded as an honest self-effacing politician, about as likely to enrich himself at public expense as he is to seek a high profile.
He may prefer to get on with the job privately but a publicity-shy approach can bring its own problems. Will voters remember him for his role in the political process in Northern Ireland and Wales or as the man who billed the taxpayer for a £6 tin opener and £1.98 worth of lightbulbs?
Most voters understand that MPs do work in two places, even if the rules are so lax you can claim for a home that is neither in your constituency nor London. Most voters don't understand how MPs can apparently maximise their expenses by "flipping" their choice of first and second home.
Funnily enough, I suspect some voters will resent more the small claims (one MP was re-imbursed 5p for a carrier bag, Jacqui Smith's bathplug cost 88p) than the bigger amounts for accommodation.
The Welsh Assembly's presiding officer, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, whose overnight "subsistence" in the House of Lords last year totalled £497 for the 27 days he attended, told the BBC: "I just don't know what they thought they were doing, and that they thought they could ever get away with it."
Perhaps the regime was tighter during Lord Elis-Thomas's 18 years as an MP, all before the Fredom of Information Act.
My colleague Felicity Evans did point out that Assembly Members have had the odd problem with expenses involving iPods, trouser presses etc. (I think it was an AM who first claimed for a Remembrance Day wreath, a habit that has caught on with one Tory MP).
Lord Elis-Thomas pointed out that the claims were of a slightly smaller scale - and backed by receipts.
Thursday, 7 May 2009
Sticky moment for Boris
An anecdote from the retiring Martyn Jones about his battle with Boris Johnson for the Clwyd South seat in 1997.
"Boris went to the Chirk car boot sale with one or two supporters and it just happened to be the same day as I went with about 20 supporters.
"He was walking about by himself and so we went over to say hello and we all patted him on the back - he didn't realise we were sticking Labour stickers on his back until afterwards - those little fun things that we do."
Anyone know what happened to Boris?
Some people, cynically, wondered if there is a link between the timing of Mr Jones's announcement and the imminent publication of details of MPs' expense claims.
He told us: "I have claimed on receipts ever since i got here. Would you believe i have subsidised my office costs , probably not but it's true. ... last month I had £342 left in my second home allowance to pay a rent bill alone that was £1745.40 - it is not adequate. ... the job is in two places and so we need another home."
"Boris went to the Chirk car boot sale with one or two supporters and it just happened to be the same day as I went with about 20 supporters.
"He was walking about by himself and so we went over to say hello and we all patted him on the back - he didn't realise we were sticking Labour stickers on his back until afterwards - those little fun things that we do."
Anyone know what happened to Boris?
Some people, cynically, wondered if there is a link between the timing of Mr Jones's announcement and the imminent publication of details of MPs' expense claims.
He told us: "I have claimed on receipts ever since i got here. Would you believe i have subsidised my office costs , probably not but it's true. ... last month I had £342 left in my second home allowance to pay a rent bill alone that was £1745.40 - it is not adequate. ... the job is in two places and so we need another home."
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Hanging up his bow tie?
His is one of the most distinctive bow ties seen at Westminster since the era of Robin Day.
But the word is that Martyn Jones's neckwear of choice is unlikely to be seen in the Commons after the next general election.
After 22 years as MP for Clwyd South, Mr Jones, who is 62, has apparently decided to call it a day. Expect an official announcement within the next 24 hours.
Besides his unusual taste in ties, he'll be remembered for his eight years as chairman of the Welsh affairs select committee, his campaigning on dormant accounts and Wrexham Lager.
Happy anniversary
It's a week of anniversaries, as you may have noticed, although the chances are you won't have spotted one political silver jubilee.
It's 25 years this week since the unlikely triumvirate of Ann Clwyd, Bill Cash and Virginia Bottomley arrived in the House of Commons via by-elections in the Cynon Valley, Staffordshire and Surrey.
"We have not had a celebratory drink together," confessed Ms Clwyd.
It's 25 years this week since the unlikely triumvirate of Ann Clwyd, Bill Cash and Virginia Bottomley arrived in the House of Commons via by-elections in the Cynon Valley, Staffordshire and Surrey.
"We have not had a celebratory drink together," confessed Ms Clwyd.
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