Commons denominator.

AuthorClaret, Jake
PositionLetter to the editor

Shock! Horror! MPs claim all sorts of expenses that are unethical. They are our employees and are, therefore, accountable to us. They employ wives and relatives and they don't provide receipts for what they spend. They have two homes--indeed, they often need to have two homes--and this gives them opportunities for capital profit.

Is this an ethical matter (see Danielle Cohen's "Trust fund" article, April)? Is the answer to tighten up the rules? To become more and more specific about what is allowable? To impose various checks on MPs?

Instead of changing the rules of the game, why not change the game? Alter their status. Instead of paying MPs salaries and expenses, make them self-employed. Pay them a substantial annual fee and make it gross--say, 250,000 [pounds...

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