MP defends expenses vote (From Watford Observer)

MP defends expenses vote

3:44pm Tuesday 8th July 2008 in Search Module

Claire Ward has defended her decision to vote to keep MPs' second home allowance, saying the proposed changes would have actually made the controversial issue “less transparent”.

The Watford MP was one of 30 government ministers who voted against the changes – something critics say has made them look greedy in the eyes of public.

However, Ms Ward says the proposed changes would not have made the issue fairer.

Currently MPs are allowed to spend £24,000, from the so-called “John Lewis list”, on furniture and equipment to kit out their second home in Westminster.

Under the new proposals, rejected by MPs on Friday, members would have instead been allowed to claim £19,600 as a “living allowance” for a second home, if they produced a receipt.

They would also been able to claim a further £30 a day subsistence – more than £4,000 a year - without a receipt.

Ms Ward said: “If we had voted for this report it would have meant that instead of it being transparent MPs would have been able to spend £4,000 on furniture, or indeed anything they wanted, and not have to receipt it.”

David Gauke, MP for South West Hertfordshire, voted in favour of implementing the changes.

Neither Mike Penning, MP for Hemel Hempstead nor James Clappison, member for Hertsmere, were present at the vote.

To find out why your MP voted the way he or she did see Friday's Watford Observer.