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# yup, you got it.
and now Nick Clegg and a few others want an 'independent body' to oversee all expense matters.

So, when this blows over in a few years and they can start claiming things again,plus a 'bit' extra' - if it ever gets out in the open, the MPs can legitimtaley claim that it wasn't their doing, but the 'indepenedent body', thus saving their own reputations.

/cynical
(I helped save b3ta! The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:41, archived)
# *once again successfully avoids putting boot through screen*
Good lord, what a ridiculous mess.
(I helped save b3ta! Dixipoos Bye Bye Blackbird, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:42, archived)
# the bit about 'so when this blows over' is purely speculation on my part
but looking forward, it makes sense.

they can't realisitcally up the MPs salries too much in the current climate/media watch to cover the amount they were claiming in expenses, as they'll just be ripped apart further, so, it makes sense for a measure like this, take a hit for 18 months or so until this all dies down, and then start manipulating the 'independent body' to squeeze a bit more for the MPs.
(I helped save b3ta! The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:44, archived)
# Of course, the current system
grew out of parliament being scared to put up their own wages in the early 90s because they feared a public backlash (basically, in a similar situation to now, the Tories knew they were on their last legs and didn't want to make it worse), so they came up with other ways to recompense themselves.
(I helped save b3ta! Wasp Box like a nervous random stranger at a glory hole, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:52, archived)
# I don't know.
The fees office, by approving things like bags of manure, moat dredging and such have clearly fucked up majorly themselves. The fact is that 99% of people have fucked up and taken the absolute piss. Michael Martin wont be the last person to go.
(I helped save b3ta! Redsushi! Whoop! Whoop! Yes, that one!, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:43, archived)
# I don't often agree with Anne Widdecombe
But she had a good point when she pointed out that less than 100 MPs expenses have been shown to be morally grey/spurious/fraudulent. Meaning there are around 550 MPs who have not been taking the piss.

Or just haven't been caught.
(I helped save b3ta! Wasp Box like a nervous random stranger at a glory hole, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:46, archived)
# quite right
and to think I narrowly missed elbowing her in the face last week outside norwich train station (purely by accident, I turned around too quickly)
(I helped save b3ta! The Great Architect is still waiting for his account to be deleted on, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:49, archived)
# I do respect Anne Widdecombe,
she is clearly one of the few MPs who seem to have unflappable morals. And is allegedly one of only about 6 MPs who live outside London who has claimed nothing on a 2nd home at all, or a negligible amount at most.

When it comes to what has been published, and who has been guilty, it must be noted that The Telegraph have only published the expenses that will make the best stories, understandably. I am sure that once all the expenses are made public domain, there will be a lot more.

Of course, one can not say that all MPs are corrupt, that is simply unfair. I would still like to believe that the majority of MPs become so for the right reasons.
(I helped save b3ta! Redsushi! Whoop! Whoop! Yes, that one!, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:52, archived)
# Indeed this.
Only, the "independent body" won't have to publish it's results.

Surprised? Of course not.
(I helped save b3ta! Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Wed 20 May 2009, 9:45, archived)