MP's Allowances

The upcoming enquiry into MP's Allowances and Expenses is very welcome if it restores the public's confidence in us Politicians.

Their was a time when MP's did not get paid or get expenses and the House of Commons was made up of wealthy landowners.

In the 1970's some MP's were having to sleep in their offices so the London Housing Allowance was introduced.

If Parliament is to attract quality MP's then they do need to be paid at a level to simular professionals such as a GP or secondary School Headmaster around £125k per year.

What amazes me is how so many MP's have a 2nd Job nothing wrong in this as it helps MP's keep a foot in the real world but surely if a member is making large amounts of money from outside earnings they should have their income reduced accordingly.

Someone on Job Seekers is allowed to earn up to £20 per week before lossing benefit on a pound for pound basis maybe it should be the same for MP's

Working in Parliament is very hard work and not very family friendly if more women are going to be involved in politics, the House of Commons must become more family friendly for example with MP's being allowed to vote over the net from an office at home for example when the House is sitting late.

The Tories are proposing reducing the number of MP's given the workload of MP's I can not see this working very well.