Where there's a will, there's a way (around Parliamentary regulations)
Peter Hoskin 3:53pm
James wrote earlier on plans to make MPs formally declare any family members who work for them. But, if the New Statesman's Kevin Maguire is right, the new measures may be to little avail. The reason? Well, the MPs have a cunning plan: "Wife swapping is the name of the game, swinging the new earner. A snitch of unimpeachable integrity, a distinguished public servant no less, overheard a huddle of MPs trading partners behind the Speaker's chair. Discretion prevents my snout naming names, but the cunning plan is to survive the collapse of Del Boy Conway's family business by employing each other's spouses. Now "Big Mick" Martin is apprised of what's been going on behind his chair, he can ban wife swaps. Unless, of course, Mr Speaker needs to find a humble backbencher to pick up Mrs Speaker's £4,280.20 taxi tab."
And now I'll leave you to ponder how low the political class can sink...
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Comments
BrianSJ
February 14th, 2008 6:34pmWhy don't they set themselves up as limited companies, and offset their costs against tax? Then Red Dawn can clobber them with IR35.
Chuck Unsworth
February 14th, 2008 7:54pmWhat is it that they swapping their wives for? Armchairs? Holidays in the Bahamas? Luncheon Vouchers?
Mozart 21
February 15th, 2008 8:17amIsn't swapping children likely to prove a tad more problematic. These days the adoption police won't allow any except those with unblemished records and of unimpeachable behaviour to adopt. I can't imagine many MPS would make the grade.