My stance on MPs expenses

I've had so many questions on this I thought I'd lay out the basis for how I'd like to operate if I am fortunate enough to be elected as your local MP when the General Election is called...

1. I live in the constituency – it’s the least residents can expect from their local MP. I will never claim for a second home. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for second homes of London MPs.

2. I will never employ members of my family. My staff will be appointed on merit, not on connections and they will have to work hard to justify their salary.

3. I will voluntarily publish my accounts so that constituents can see where their money is going.

4. I will vote to abolish the infamous "John Lewis List" and for independent spot checks on MPs accounts.

5. I believe that staff employed by MPs should in fact be House of Commons staff and their pay and conditions should be determined under Civil Service terms. It is not fair that office staff are used as a political football.

6. I do not believe that MPs pay and expenses should be set by MPs.

Here's the 5 Live programme I was on today discussing this topic from the London home of John Mann MP (Labour, Bassetlaw):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00jyblh (from 1.05 minutes in)
and
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/victoriaderbyshire/2009/04/inside_a_mps_second_home.html

Petition to get rid of Glenda Jackson and Frank Dobson

Finding yourself on the wrong side of the debate?

I am agitated about Post Office closures and in particular the threat to South End Green, England's Lane and Harrow Road - on the one hand it's a great campaign and it's exciting collecting signatures, drafting responses, but crucially on the other hand it really really matters. Beyond the fun as we do the petitions, the campaigns, the leaflets the aim is to save the Post Offices from closure.

MPs voting in the house last week could vote against the closure programme...

Here in Hampstead and Kilburn we have two MPs currently: Sarah Teather MP and Glenda Jackson MP. Both spoke in the debate, both spoke against closures, both have been cited in their press as being against the closures in their area. YET WHEN IT CAME TO THE VOTE GLENDA JACKSON ABSTAINED. Sarah Teather voted against the closures, as did other local Lib Dem MP Lynne Featherstone I'm delighted to say. Frank Dobson MP voted with the Government for the closures.

So here is today's verdict of the local paper the Ham and High (Hampstead and Highgate Express). For a local newspaper and a cartoon this is astonishingly but hilariously damning - It's a huge credit to them for putting their finger bang on the button.

From councillor to Tower Block and MP

I thought it was time we entered the sphere of the engraved foundation stone - there are quite a few around so this should be a fairly rich vein.

Judging by the number of people I see stopping to read them I guess I'm not the only one who takes an interest in these.

This is West Hampstead Branch Library (obscured by the handrail!):

This stone was laid on 17th July 1954
His Worship The Mayor
Councillor Emmanuel Snowman JP

Councillor Geoffrey Finsberg
Chairman of the Public Libraries Committee

S.J. Butcher F.L.A.
Chief Librarian
P.H. Harrold O.B.E.
Town Clerk

Of course, Councillor Snowman now has a block named after him in Kilburn and Councillor Finsberg went on to be MP for Hampstead and Highgate.