An MP, Mark Simmonds, who complained he couldn’t live on the expenses available to him shouldn’t just stand down; he should examine his grasp on reality too
The Steeple Times has long shared the view that the number of MPs at Westminster should be halved and that the remaining elected members ought to be paid significantly more but without expenses. A whining Cabinet minister who resigned today is, to us, proof again, that this would be the right course of action.
Before packing his bags, Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds remarked:
“The impact on family life has now become intolerable. The allowances that allow Members of Parliament to stay in London whilst away from their families… does not allow me to rent a flat that can accommodate my family”.
Simmonds, the Member of Parliament for Boston and Skegness, is entitled to claim £27,874 a year to rent a flat in London and was paid £89,435 as a junior minister. His wife, Lizbeth, additionally received a salary of £20,000 to £24,999.
We are certain that many members of the public would be delighted to be able to rake in upto £142,308 a year from the public purse and could easily accommodate themselves for such a sum. For this reason, we make Mark Simmonds our Wally of the Week. Shame on him and good riddance.
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