The Wardman Wire

Introduction

As the Wardman Wire contribution to efforts to move forward the current debate about MPs and their expenses, terms and conditions, and the transparency and reputation of politics in general, we are running an article series from a wide range of viewpoints on the whole topic.

If there is a single aim, it is to bring some light in alongside the heat. We want to generate a lot of ideas for ways ahead from a lot of different viewpoints and political positions. You can find the introduction to the series, and brief for the authors, here. I’m happy to keep it running while there are people wanting to express a substantive view.

Councillor Tony Sharp: Simplify the System

This contribution is by Cllr Tony Sharp (Conservative) of The Waendel Journal, who argues that the rules for MPs need a sharp (sorry - ed) application of Ockham’s Razor.

Comparing MPs and Councillors

It is difficult to draw comparisons between Councillors and MPs when it comes to finances. For example, due to the range of different structures in different authorities, unitaries, county councils, borough councils etc, there are huge financial discrepancies amongst Councillors themselves.

Some Councillors in larger authorities work full time, and receive a salary, while most of us are part time and receive a small basic allowance.

I represent a Ward in a District Council (Borough) authority which is part of the second tier of the traditional County – District structure of local government in Northamptonshire. The Unitary system was rejected here and the authority retains the Committee system rather than the Cabinet system.

There are 36 Councillors representing a population of around 72,500 in our Borough and the proposed budget for 2008/09 is just under £11.5 million.

As an elected ‘backbench’ Conservative Councillor in Wellingborough (i.e. not a committee chairman or lead advisor), I am paid an annual taxable allowance of £3,140 for my time spent attending council meetings, dealing with correspondence and paying for postage.

I am also allowed to claim up to £1,000 during the four-year fixed term of office for information technology - to enable me to fulfil my Council duties. This excludes consumables and is generally used for IT hardware. The payment is only made on submission of a valid receipt.

Although we are allowed, I cannot think of a single councillor who actually puts in expense claims for permitted items (travel and subsistence).

The prevailing orthodoxy among our councillors is to meet the cost from their own pocket due to a genuine desire to serve the public rather than take money from the stretched public purse.

So - as you can see - Councillor finances in my neck of the woods are transparent, clear and simple. It is time to simplify the structures within which MPs work.

Time to Apply Ockham’s Razor to the system for MPs

MPs have been largely insulated from such a degree of transparency because they are given control over a budget of allowances available to help them perform their much more wide ranging duties. MPs have been left to decide how they spend their allowances.

They decide whom they employ and the terms of that employment, including salary within permitted set ranges. The issue transcends party lines and the solution should not be party political – although I feel people should examine for themselves which parties act decisively to punish wrongdoers, and which merely utter platitudes.

The old story of rotten apples spoiling the barrel is quite apt in the case of MPs. But it is clear that as public servants MPs should account for every penny of public money spent in the execution of their duties. Now is as good a time as any other to ensure the system works in the public interest.

What should be left in place?

MPs should still have their current budgets available to them - but all employment and payroll matters should be handled on behalf of MPs by an independent paymaster at the Palace of Westminster.

MPs should still choose who they hire as secretaries, researchers, analysts etc, and determine full time and part time wages to be paid within the set limits.

However, those people who are hired should have their employment contracts and all their HR and payroll matters handled by the independent paymaster. It is important that although dedicated to one MP, such employees are seen as public servants.

An Independent Paymaster

The paymaster should also have the right to audit the delivery of services to MPs to ensure adequate work is being performed in return for the public money spent.

It would then be easy for the public to see who an MP employs and for what purpose. An MP paying his wife to be a ‘secretary’ on £25,000, who actually does little secretarial work, could be identified and the money could be withdrawn and the MP sanctioned.

The public could have confidence in the paymaster, reporting to the Commissioner for Standards, handling all employment matters, and the use of public money would be appropriate, open and above board.

Claiming Expenses

In respect of expenses, everything claimed by an MP should be supported by a valid receipt, no matter how small. Companies insist their employees submit expense claims and will not pay them without VAT receipts. The same should apply to MPs. Every penny of public money must be accounted for.

Wrapping Up

Some MPs have lost sight of their role being a privilege and an honour and think of it as a right. The emphasis needs to be refocused on service by reinforcing the absolute requirement for accountability and transparency. For those who have abused the trust placed in them, the gravy train needs to be pulled into the sidings for good.

Tony Sharp is a Conservative Councillor for Brickhill Ward in Wellingborough. He is a freelance writer and communications specialist and is married with one daughter. He sits on the Council’s Planning, Environment and Standards Committees. Tony’s areas of interest away from Council life include occasional sports commentary on radio and travel. He also has a love of African wildlife.

Tags: Tags: MP transparency, additional costs allowance, aca, MP salary, parliamentary pay pantomime, house rules for MPs[tags]Tags: MP transparency, additional costs allowance, aca, MP salary, parliamentary pay pantomime, house rules for MPs[/tags]