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Expenses show MPs are distant
SOUTH Yorkshire MP Eric Illsley's parliamentary expenses claims show one of the more worrying side of the scandal which has rocked politics in recent weeks.
He overclaimed a tidy 6,000 in council tax after apparently falling foul of a gentleman's agreement between MPs and officials meant to examine and control parliamentarians' claims.
It had become standard practice not to submit receipts but to claim a set sum. This may have made life easier for MPs and officials alike, but it shows just how distant those working in the Palace of Westminster have drifted from everyday life.
Ordinary men and women of this country are denied this luxury and have to account for every penny, not least to the tax man who is driven by rules and regulations laid down by Members of Parliament.
They have no benevolent lackey approving claims with a nod - and neither should MPs who are supposed to put themselves forward to serve the public not to enjoy an easy life at the public's expense.
Eric Illsley's current embarrassment was brought about by a cosy relationship which is at the root of the loss of faith in politics.
Concentrate on the fundamentals of life
A THREE month audit into the operations of Sheffield City Council shows that the authority has missed out on almost a third of its 156 official targets. Importantly, this indicates that the council is regularly letting down the public on some of the basic functions expected of them.
Fundamental jobs such as road repairs, housing and customer services have slipped below standard. These may not be high-profile tasks. In fact they are generally taken for granted. But that is because they are the sort of things which the public expect to be done on their behalf.
While a war of words may be bubbling away between Labour and Lib Dems - and a public debate between the two is a tantalising prospect - the fact is that the council must concentrate on the fundamentals of life.
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
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