09 Jun 04
Originally posted by stokerThere are some prospective MEPs who're only going to take £25,000 a year as a salary if they're elected.
oh! come on now gravy train and keeping buericats employed other than that no f in use
The top of the New Labour list for Scotland is being investigated for 'excessive expenses' and the top of the Tory list got caught getting an EasyJet flight out 1st thing in the morning, clocking in (and claiming a couple of hundred quid attendance money) and then flying straight back to Scotland again before 10am. Apparently common practise!
I don't know why they have to resort to this - the salaries and expenses they 'legitimately' get are well over the top.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by RedmikeA recent article in Time magazine included the monthly income of one MEP (all figures in Euros):
There are some prospective MEPs who're only going to take £25,000 a year as a salary if they're elected.
The top of the New Labour list for Scotland is being investigated for 'excessive expenses' and the top of the Tory list got caught getting an EasyJet flight out 1st thing in the morning, clocking in (and claiming a couple of hundred quid attendance m ...[text shortened]... e to resort to this - the salaries and expenses they 'legitimately' get are well over the top.
Salary - 6,590
Per Diem - 3144 (262 for each Strasbourg or Brussels work day)
Travel Expenses - 4000 (1000 per flight, which actual cost 375)
Office Allowance - 3700
Secretarial Allowance - 12,576
Total - 30,010
There is little or no control of how the income is actually spent.
It is good that some MEPs will restrict their salaries, but are they also going to restrict there additional income to what they actually spend on EC related work?
I agree with the existence of the EU in principle, but not with the freeflowing finances. It is a total embarrasment in this day and age that the EU cannot get its accounts signed off.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by kody magicAs I understand it, the plan for these prospective MEPs is to publish all expenses claims made and details of the corresponding work.
It is good that some MEPs will restrict their salaries, but are they also going to restrict there additional income to what they actually spend on EC related work?
Realistically, there's an outside chance that one MEP adopting this policy will be elected from Scotland. Don't know about elsewhere.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by VargI'm living in the US, with a postal vote, and I have managed to find out who my prospective candidates are, have some interaction with them via e-mail, etc. Maybe you could try reading a paper? Or going to the candidate blogs on the Guardian website (even if you hate the Guardian, their politics section is good). Or take some other action to actually find out for yourself? What do you want?
Good to see the prospective Euro MPs have made an effort to let us know who they are and what their policies are.
PS. This post is sarcastic.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by OsseI'm quite prepared to do all those things, and have done some of them.
I'm living in the US, with a postal vote, and I have managed to find out who my prospective candidates are, have some interaction with them via e-mail, etc. Maybe you could try reading a paper? Or going to the candidate blogs on the Guardian website (even if you hate the Guardian, their politics section is good). Or take some other action to actually find out for yourself? What do you want?
However, given the apparent voter apathy, how many others will do the same?
I thought that politicians would make an effort if they wanted our vote - they seem to for local and national elections, but not so much for Euro ones.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by stokerMEP's have far more legislative clout than English MPs. It was a huge story when labour MPs revolted against tuition fees, as it is so rare for them to do anything other than toe the party line - legislation is usually determined at junior ministerial level or higher. MEPs can make a real difference to legislation - google lib dem MEP Chris Davis, who has been hugely influential in strengthening environmental laws across the EU. Or check the arguments over the EU copyright directive to see how MEPs can shape legislation.
oh! come on now gravy train and keeping buericats employed other than that no f in use
It affects all of us, so its worth taking seriously.
09 Jun 04
Originally posted by RedmikeHere in Denmark the percentage of voters that show up at EC elections is significantly lower than for elections to the Danish parliament. This is realy a shame since the influence and importance of the European parliament is growing, like it or not.
Don't forget to vote tomorrow. And if you're in Scotland, don't forget to vote SSP....
So everybody get out and vote for your favorite candidate, there are plenty with all views represented.
Due to the recent inclution of the 10 new member states, the number of Danish seats have been reduced this time I suppose this goes for most other countries.
Anybody have a stat on relative balance before and after ?
10 Jun 04
Originally posted by RedmikeThe BBC filmed the MEP's checking in on the Friday morning (so it looks like they've worked the whole day) and then going home.
Some of those who rebelled weren't even English MPs.
The response? They moved the check-in desk to the other side of the building where camera crews aren't allowed.
I've voted in Holland for the SP.
They're the less of most evils here.
10 Jun 04
Originally posted by Redmikewe didn't get their thingy trough the letter box-apparently, the posties were refusing to distribute "radical" paty thingies! i mean-isn't that kinda fixing it?...
Don't forget to vote tomorrow. And if you're in Scotland, don't forget to vote SSP....
but one of my friends is a member so i nicked the "socialist youth" from him...some of it's decent, but none of it's biased-oh no! what made you think it would be?!?...
10 Jun 04
1 edit
Originally posted by geniusI thought the posties only refused to distribute BNP stuff. Everyone in the country should have got at least one leaflet from each party (apart from the wee daft fringe parties, who didn't produce any), including the SSP.
we didn't get their thingy trough the letter box-apparently, the posties were refusing to distribute "radical" paty thingies! i mean-isn't that kinda fixing it?...
but one of my friends is a member so i nicked the "socialist youth" ...[text shortened]... none of it's biased-oh no! what made you think it would be?!?...
They usually all arrive in a batch on the same day, but all it takes is an individual postie who supports a particular party and nobody else's leaflets get thru on his/her patch.
Depending on how well-organised each party is in your area, you'll maybe also get some further leaflets, delivered by party activists. Also, if you're in Glasgow city centre this afternoon, there'll be plenty of SSP literature available at train stations etc as people are finishing work.
Or just go to www.scottishsocialistparty.info.
You're not expecting party literature to be un-biased are you?