A frugal MP?!
Peter Hoskin 4:02pm
Just in case you've completely lost the faith in our political class, it's well worth reading the profile of Philip Hollobone in today's Independent. Hollobone, remember, is the Tory MP who claims less than a third of the average annual expenses claim in the Commons. How does he manage it? Mainly by not hiring staff, and by keeping things pared down. This passage is a good taster:
"'It's quite simple,' [Hollobone] says, before starting up some rickety stairs. His work room is suitably spartan. Empty computer boxes sit in the corner. The whiff of damp from the dark patches on the wall fills the air. A chipped, dark table sits in the room's centre. The walls are bare, save a lonely print of Winston Churchill.Each day, he goes through the process of opening mail, replying to messages and arranging events with constituents. For Mr Hollobone, diary meetings are a streamlined, if lonely, affair. With no secretary, he organises his daily schedule himself and has immense pride in his colour-coded diary. He describes the fact that he is able to set his own agenda as the best part of a staff-free existence. 'To make an appointment is really easy,' he says. 'I've got a blank piece of paper to fill and that's it. Each day has a little box.' Today it is a trip to a children's centre followed by a meeting with a farmer's union."
Of course, there's a case - which James makes here - that certain MPs may be functioning better if, say, they're using up their staffing allowance. I think there's some truth to that. But it should be noted that one of the Indy's sources - a local journalist who has looked into Hollobone's expenses - claims that, "We haven't had any indication that he is neglecting his duties, or any complaints. He seems to manage."
To my mind, Hollobone is closer to some sort of expenses ideal than most of his colleagues. Given that it's taxpayers' money in their wallets - and given, too, the fiscal climate - there should be an assumption towards frugality.
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David Ossitt
April 4th, 2009 4:20pm Report this commentDavid Cameron you must give this man a job.
It will scare the sh*t out of some of your team who are; or might have been more profligate with the spending of our money, but if you use this chap to lead the others into better ways it will be a big vote
winner.
Come on David C get with it.
Obnoxio The Clown
April 4th, 2009 4:46pm Report this commentHe still grabs the absolute max for the housing allowance though.
Mrs. Portcullis
April 4th, 2009 5:17pm Report this commentIt may sound a little Yes, Minister, Mr. Ossitt, but that is exactly the one thing that Mr. Cameron should NOT do. To see this man in a line up with other ministers, who claim to the full, and even have other jobs, would NOT encourage the others to calm it down. It would just embarrass Mr. Cameron himself. We've already seen what happens when you ask MPs to watch their cash. They threaten to leave.
Will Yoxall
April 4th, 2009 5:36pm Report this commentIf David Cameron gave this man a job he'd have to hire staff. People expect a lot if their MPs - if they have any front bench responsibilities they need some staff at least.
Having a staff is not a real scandal, staff help and MP to do their job better - they can be better informed and better organised if they have a couple of staff. Mr Hollobone doesn't have to have staff if he doesn't want them but it would be wrong to deprive MPs of their staff if they feel they need them. Possibly you might pay staff differently but there is a case for MPs staff.
Far better off out
April 4th, 2009 6:03pm Report this comment@David Ossitt - the admirable Philip Hollobone is a member of Better Off Out and therefore barred from the front bench. (The reverse opinion - ie to be in favour of euro membership etc - is no such bar, as Ken Clarke's current job proves.)
Susan Hill
April 4th, 2009 7:00pm Report this commentNow, let me see, that`s two - Hannan, Ossitt... things are looking up.
pollwatcher
April 4th, 2009 7:15pm Report this commentDo the words control freak mean anything?
Alf Tupper
April 4th, 2009 7:44pm Report this commentWas Philip Hollobone that kid who used to be on the front cover of "MAD" magazine?
wonderfulforhisage
April 4th, 2009 8:47pm Report this commentAs a tax payer I applaud. But, we're not all cut out for the hair shirt and celebacy life. I'd be delighted for him to be my MP and, at the same time, I wouldn't mind somebody just a soupcon more profligate were he not available.
Ray
April 5th, 2009 8:24am Report this commentI certainly wouldn't begrudge Mr Hollobone (or, indeed, any other MP) a secretary.
It's when they start employing two or three staff that I object, especially when one of them does little else except feed out press releases and organise flattering photo-shoot opportunities for the member in question.
Will
April 5th, 2009 9:05am Report this commentI have to say that I wouldn't want this man as my MP. I want an MP that has researchers and can build up expertise in an area and can therefore ask the government of the day hard questions. If this MP loves admin so much maybe he should become an administrator. I want an MP that isn't bogged down in the minutae of diaries.
David Ossitt
April 5th, 2009 10:32am Report this commentMrs. Portcullis
April 4th, 2009 5:17pm
"We've already seen what happens when you ask MPs to watch their cash. They threaten to leave".
THEN LET THEM LEAVE!
Clean out the stables; this all stinks of shit!
David Ossitt
April 5th, 2009 10:34am Report this commentFar better off out
April 4th, 2009 6:03pm
"@David Ossitt - the admirable Philip Hollobone is a member of Better Off Out and therefore barred from the front bench".
All the more reason; to have him.
David Ossitt
April 5th, 2009 10:46am Report this commentAlf Tupper; well spotted, it is his double!
Susan Hill.
Please explain?
George Laird
April 5th, 2009 6:09pm Report this commentDear All
Peter has highlighted Philip Hollobone as a frugal MP.
It is stated that he employs no staff.
How much better served would the people in his area be if he had staff to deal with their problems?
How much time can he allocate to their problems with his other duties?
It would appear to me that Mr. Hollobone's system works provided that problems are small. In the event someone has a problem which requires time and effort, it would appear these type of people would be less better served.
Hollobone was elected to represent the people that means providing full time representation not as and when he can fit it.
When one talks of value for money, I would suggest that Hollobone isn't providing it.
It is a 24/7 world now, not a colour coded diary one.
What Philip Hollobone proves is by keeping his operation small; he keeps his workload small as well.
Finally, in the event that Philip Hollobone goes on holiday, we now know that people in his area get no representation at all during this period.
Is that value for money?
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Informed Giant
April 5th, 2009 10:55pm Report this commentThis probably isn't a matter of human rights....
George Laird
April 6th, 2009 2:43pm Report this commentDear informed giant
"This probably isn't a matter of human rights".
Which is it?
Is it a matter of human rights or not?
I would be interested to read your analysis.
In the vent that you cannot decide then may I suggest that you flip a coin.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
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