Comments on: The story behind Dispatches: The Westminster Gravy Train http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/ Heather Brooke is an award-winning writer, journalist and activist Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:17:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Joseph Baron Pravda http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1861 Joseph Baron Pravda Fri, 22 May 2009 15:49:09 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1861 Kudos to your almost single-handed revival of the Fourth Estate; apparently the autocracy believed that the public purse WAS their private estates' maintenance fund. The (self-anointed) kings (and queens) are dead, long live..........the people...and, you, of the heather, who would not brook their self-service. An Admiring American Anglophile Kudos to your almost single-handed revival of the Fourth Estate; apparently the autocracy believed that the public purse WAS their private estates’ maintenance fund.

The (self-anointed) kings (and queens) are dead, long live……….the people…and, you, of the heather, who would not brook their self-service.

An Admiring American Anglophile

]]> By: F. John Horn http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1860 F. John Horn Tue, 12 May 2009 08:45:55 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1860 The speaker Mr. Martin was again on the 11th inst. very angry in the House of Commons not about the expense claims but about who leaked the documents. This shows how out of touch members of Parliament have become. Freedom of information is still most unwelcome to the members. Our local MP Mr. Derek Conway is still sitting in Parliament, now as an independent member, despite having had to repay some expenses that were judged to be excessive. The excesses of Mr. Conway would have led to criminal investigation and he would have been sacked, but he is an MP and so above the law. The speaker Mr. Martin was again on the 11th inst. very angry in the House of Commons not about the expense claims but about who leaked the documents. This shows how out of touch members of Parliament have become. Freedom of information is still most unwelcome to the members. Our local MP Mr. Derek Conway is still sitting in Parliament, now as an independent member, despite having had to repay some expenses that were judged to be excessive. The excesses of Mr. Conway would have led to criminal investigation and he would have been sacked, but he is an MP and so above the law.

]]> By: Kate Mclean http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1859 Kate Mclean Sat, 09 May 2009 09:25:56 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1859 For 30 years I was self employed and I had 2 V.A.T officers scrutinise my accounts for 3 hours. They found no wrong doings or errors ! Had they have done they would more than likely have informed the Inland Revenue and ALL my past accounts would have been looked over with a magnifying glass. If no fault was found then it is probable that they would have pulled a figure out of the hat to fine me. This happened to one of my customers. Now we are faced with what is nothing short of corruption and theft by the very same people who direct the Inland revenue in the course of their duty. The other issue that has not been highlighted yet is the massive payouts to executives in the NHS. These payouts are handed out sometimes on annual basis to staff who have implemented cut backs in patient care . In Manchester alone an Executive was pais £50,000 for a few years running on top of his annual pay. There are many others. If the money is not thee for patient care then how come it is available for bonuses ? This is what I think is called an upside down pyramid. Yours sincerely Catherine Mclean For 30 years I was self employed and I had 2 V.A.T officers scrutinise my accounts for 3 hours. They found no wrong doings or errors !
Had they have done they would more than likely have informed the Inland Revenue and ALL my past accounts would have been looked over with a magnifying glass. If no fault was found then it is probable that they would have pulled a figure out of the hat to fine me. This happened to one of my customers. Now we are faced with what is nothing short of corruption and theft by the very same people who direct the Inland revenue in the course of their duty.

The other issue that has not been highlighted yet is the massive payouts to executives in the NHS. These payouts are handed out sometimes on annual basis to staff who have implemented cut backs in patient care . In Manchester alone an Executive was pais £50,000 for a few years running on top of his annual pay. There are many others. If the money is not thee for patient care then how come it is available for bonuses ? This is what I think is called an upside down pyramid.

Yours sincerely

Catherine Mclean

]]> By: Kate http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1858 Kate Thu, 07 May 2009 02:51:58 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1858 Is it just me or am I the only one wondering how they have got away with disregarding a High Court judgement? Why is no-one at their doors with a battering ram and why was the 2nd March 2009 amendment allowed to happen before they had fulfilled their obligations of the High Court judgement? Why does everything in parliament take so long to happen that by the time it does everyone seems to have forgotten where and why the debate started? Thank you Heather for bringing this all to our attention, but what happens next? Is it just me or am I the only one wondering how they have got away with disregarding a High Court judgement? Why is no-one at their doors with a battering ram and why was the 2nd March 2009 amendment allowed to happen before they had fulfilled their obligations of the High Court judgement? Why does everything in parliament take so long to happen that by the time it does everyone seems to have forgotten where and why the debate started? Thank you Heather for bringing this all to our attention, but what happens next?

]]> By: John West http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1857 John West Fri, 24 Apr 2009 10:16:38 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1857 Northern Ireland’s politicians are also in urgent need the ‘Heather Brooke’ treatment. We have individuals here claiming expenses as Councillors, MLAs and MPs. How many homes would that allow them? Let’s be honest, there’s a suspension that some of these people have been let off with murder, should we also turn a blind eye to their snouts jammed into the trough? Northern Ireland’s politicians are also in urgent need the ‘Heather Brooke’ treatment.

We have individuals here claiming expenses as Councillors, MLAs and MPs. How many homes would that allow them?

Let’s be honest, there’s a suspension that some of these people have been let off with murder, should we also turn a blind eye to their snouts jammed into the trough?

]]> By: heather http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1856 heather Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:23:45 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1856 Hi John - yes I would have liked the show to be a bit more biting. The gentleness came from the Channel 4 lawyers. You can't believe the amount of legal vetting a film like that has to go through to get on air. Meanwhile ministers hide behind the curtain of 'collective responsibility'. Hi John – yes I would have liked the show to be a bit more biting. The gentleness came from the Channel 4 lawyers. You can’t believe the amount of legal vetting a film like that has to go through to get on air. Meanwhile ministers hide behind the curtain of ‘collective responsibility’.

]]> By: heather http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1855 heather Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:05:25 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1855 There were just as many Conservative MPs interviewed. There was one from Labour, too. Other Labour MPs were asked - including the Speaker who, as leader of the House, has a responsibility to defend the rulebook he put in place. He refused our request, as did the others. That speaks for itself and I feel no need to hide this appalling lack of accountability. There were just as many Conservative MPs interviewed. There was one from Labour, too. Other Labour MPs were asked – including the Speaker who, as leader of the House, has a responsibility to defend the rulebook he put in place. He refused our request, as did the others. That speaks for itself and I feel no need to hide this appalling lack of accountability.

]]> By: Gladys MacRae http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1854 Gladys MacRae Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:59:18 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1854 Whilst I appreciate the effort expanded to expose the 'cheaters', I think the actual programme was biased in its selection of Lib Dem MPs interviewed. They appeared holier than thou and yet, a blogger had worked out that an average of claims made by the Lib Dem MPs was the highest of the 3 parties. So, does this mean they know they may never be in government so, they can stand on the sideline and throw mud as they are already so covered? I think Channel 4 and its researchers should give produce a fair expose and not one that is a political broadcast for the Lib Dems. Whilst I appreciate the effort expanded to expose the ‘cheaters’, I think the actual programme was biased in its selection of Lib Dem MPs interviewed. They appeared holier than thou and yet, a blogger had worked out that an average of claims made by the Lib Dem MPs was the highest of the 3 parties. So, does this mean they know they may never be in government so, they can stand on the sideline and throw mud as they are already so covered?

I think Channel 4 and its researchers should give produce a fair expose and not one that is a political broadcast for the Lib Dems.

]]> By: John Page http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1853 John Page Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:38:29 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1853 It was nice to see a specialist allowed to front their own subject - se we knew you knew what you were talking about. Doubtless you had your reasons for being gentle. It was nice to see a specialist allowed to front their own subject – se we knew you knew what you were talking about.

Doubtless you had your reasons for being gentle.

]]> By: Ivan Benjamin http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1852 Ivan Benjamin Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:16:01 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1852 I think the most disgusting example of exploitation of the expenses gravy train is that of Sir Nicholas Winterton and his wife, who after having paid off for their home (no mortgage) put it into a trust then rented it from the trust and claiming £60,000 over a number of years for the rent. On investigation, it was found that, in doing this they had,in fact , broken the rules but were not asked to pay the money back. I, am also not enamoured by the situation wherebye Ed Balls and his wife Yvette Cooper not only claim on what is very clearly their de facto main home in London (from where their children go to school), but that each of them are allowed to claim on the same property, effectively doubling up on their allowance. I think the most disgusting example of exploitation of the expenses gravy train is that of Sir Nicholas Winterton and his wife, who after having paid off for their home (no mortgage) put it into a trust then rented it from the trust and claiming £60,000 over a number of years for the rent. On investigation, it was found that, in doing this they had,in fact , broken the rules but were not asked to pay the money back.

I, am also not enamoured by the situation wherebye Ed Balls and his wife Yvette Cooper not only claim on what is very clearly their de facto main home in London (from where their children go to school), but that each of them are allowed to claim on the same property, effectively doubling up on their allowance.

]]> By: P M Bradley http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1851 P M Bradley Sun, 19 Apr 2009 23:01:48 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1851 Excellent programme, by a REAL Journalist, not those 'cheap stories tabloid people'. It adds to my personnal belief that the voting citizen should boycott the polling stations at the next election, why vote for un-trustworthy people to represent us? In the present economic situation, when most working people ( I say working, because they have their hard-earned wages automatically docked taxes for parliament) have to watch what they spend their money on. Can't afford to visit the local pub anymore, having to choose whether they can afford the car to get to work because of higher fuel bills, the next holiday is on hold! etc etc. When are these 'upper-class' type people that are supposed to be our peers, our representatives for our community, our leaders in upholding the law, going to realise that they are voted there on merit and their actions are abusing the peoples' trust and faith in them? Stand up Britain, and boycott the ballot box until the government can show the people it represents that they are spending our taxes responsibly. Excellent programme, by a REAL Journalist, not those ‘cheap stories tabloid people’. It adds to my personnal belief that the
voting citizen should boycott the polling stations at the next election, why vote for un-trustworthy people to represent us?
In the present economic situation, when most working people ( I say working, because they have their hard-earned wages
automatically docked taxes for parliament) have to watch what they spend their money on. Can’t afford to visit the local pub
anymore, having to choose whether they can afford the car to get to work because of higher fuel bills, the next holiday is on
hold! etc etc. When are these ‘upper-class’ type people that are supposed to be our peers, our representatives for our
community, our leaders in upholding the law, going to realise that they are voted there on merit and their actions are
abusing the peoples’ trust and faith in them?
Stand up Britain, and boycott the ballot box until the government can show the people it represents that they are spending
our taxes responsibly.

]]> By: Margaret Wilde http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1850 Margaret Wilde Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:13:57 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1850 Thank you for your excellent programme and for all the work and effort that went into the gathering of the information. Thank you for your excellent programme and for all the work and effort that went into the gathering of the information.

]]> By: Liam H http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1849 Liam H Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:00:58 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1849 It was a good program nice to see solutions being offered too. It was a good program nice to see solutions being offered too.

]]> By: Richard Nichols http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1848 Richard Nichols Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:39:17 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1848 I have just watched the Dispatches programme (“The Westminster Gravy Train”) on Channel 4, and just felt I had to respond in some way. Normally, I don't bother. An interesting and objective piece of journalism which I am very glad that I watched. Strangely(!), I was not surprised by many of the comments of your interviewees. Nor, I suppose, was I surprised when many potentially *key* interviewees declined to comment. A quote from Lord Acton (1834-1902): ”Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.” I have just watched the Dispatches programme (“The Westminster Gravy Train”) on Channel 4, and just felt I had to respond in some way. Normally, I don’t bother.

An interesting and objective piece of journalism which I am very glad that I watched. Strangely(!), I was not surprised by many of the comments of your interviewees. Nor, I suppose, was I surprised when many potentially *key* interviewees declined to comment.

A quote from Lord Acton (1834-1902): ”Everything secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity.”

]]> By: Enzo http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1847 Enzo Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:29:26 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1847 We need more people like you to tell the public what is really going on , I think you and the Despatches team do a grate job but unfortunately everyone seems to complain but no one does anything about it, I have recently started a website called YourVoiceYourSay.com, where I was hoping people would log on and give there thoughts on different issues, the site also works out percentages on peoples opinions but despite my efforts no one seems interested in adding their views, I think you and the Despatches team are providing a service to the people, It saddens me to see that you don’t have millions of people leaving their comments, I think a public reaction would help to get the country out of the mess Thank You Enzo We need more people like you to tell the public what is really going on , I think you and the Despatches team do a grate job but unfortunately everyone seems to complain but no one does anything about it, I have recently started a website called YourVoiceYourSay.com, where I was hoping people would log on and give there thoughts on different issues, the site also works out percentages on peoples opinions but despite my efforts no one seems interested in adding their views, I think you and the Despatches team are providing a service to the people, It saddens me to see that you don’t have millions of people leaving their comments, I think a public reaction would help to get the country out of the mess

Thank You
Enzo

]]> By: Lorenz Heil http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1846 Lorenz Heil Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:26:49 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1846 Heather- we the British public salute you! Well done for uncovering such a mess! You faced off some supposedly powerful people who are now squirming and forget in the ivory towers of parliament that they are only powerful if we allow them to be. Part of the trouble is they have that sheltered subsidized life there- food & alcohol costs up? They don't notice as we pay for it in the Westminster bars. Saw on" this week" comment that there's no way mp's would "go for" dormitories as overnight stays?! The arrogance is incredible! Why ever not?! Plenty of people stay in motels etc when work spills into next day. Of course the speaker hired an expensive legal team to fight you when you won the ruling- he didn't pay for it did he? We did! How dare he spend OUR money fighting you in court-appalling! Some hope that not all the mp's had snouts in the trough but overall it's very sad Keep going , keep at them don't let them off the hook- you , Suzie squire and I think Mark Thomas are shining lights in a miserable fog of lies and obfuscation- keep on - keeping on! Regards Lorenz Heil Heather- we the British public salute you! Well done for uncovering such a mess! You faced off some supposedly powerful people who are now squirming and forget in the ivory towers of parliament that they are only powerful if we allow them to be.
Part of the trouble is they have that sheltered subsidized life there- food & alcohol costs up? They don’t notice as we pay for it in the Westminster bars.
Saw on” this week” comment that there’s no way mp’s would “go for” dormitories as overnight stays?! The arrogance is incredible! Why ever not?! Plenty of people stay in motels etc when work spills into next day.
Of course the speaker hired an expensive legal team to fight you when you won the ruling- he didn’t pay for it did he? We did!

How dare he spend OUR money fighting you in court-appalling!

Some hope that not all the mp’s had snouts in the trough but overall it’s very sad

Keep going , keep at them don’t let them off the hook- you , Suzie squire and I think Mark Thomas are shining lights in a miserable fog of lies and obfuscation- keep on – keeping on!
Regards Lorenz Heil

]]> By: Alexander Johnston http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1845 Alexander Johnston Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:21:38 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1845 I am full of admiration for what you are doing which is no less than trying to save our democracy. I am appalled by the behaviour of so many of our politicans who are undermining our institutions by their dishonest, self-aggrandising behaviour. At the next election I shall be voting for the candidate of honesty, openness and integrity irrespective of political affiliations. I am full of admiration for what you are doing which is no less than trying to save our democracy.
I am appalled by the behaviour of so many of our politicans who are undermining our institutions by their
dishonest, self-aggrandising behaviour.
At the next election I shall be voting for the candidate of honesty, openness and integrity irrespective
of political affiliations.

]]> By: Andrew Bradbury http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1844 Andrew Bradbury Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:53:24 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1844 Whilst much of this programme appeared quite radical, it was basically toothless. Like the European Commissioners a few years back, UK MPS are washing their hands and bemoaning the actions of an allegedly "small" group of avaricious MPS who are grabbing everything they can within the so-called "rules" But what are the Uriah Heaps doing to CHANGE the situation other than crying crocodile tears? As far as the TV programme showed, absolutely zip, zero, nil, nada, nothing. As the saying goes: "All that good men have to do to allow evil to triumph is - NOTHING!" And despite the fact that these sanctimonious twits are allegedly in the majority, NOTHING is exactly what these people appear to be doing. ALL MPs need to be judged by what they ACTUALLY do, not by their empty words. Whilst much of this programme appeared quite radical, it was basically toothless.

Like the European Commissioners a few years back, UK MPS are washing their hands and bemoaning the actions of an allegedly “small” group of avaricious MPS who are grabbing everything they can within the so-called “rules”

But what are the Uriah Heaps doing to CHANGE the situation other than crying crocodile tears?

As far as the TV programme showed, absolutely zip, zero, nil, nada, nothing.

As the saying goes:

“All that good men have to do to allow evil to triumph is – NOTHING!”

And despite the fact that these sanctimonious twits are allegedly in the majority, NOTHING is exactly what
these people appear to be doing.

ALL MPs need to be judged by what they ACTUALLY do, not by their empty words.

]]> By: Mark http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1843 Mark Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:38:10 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1843 When you wrote, "So we have the situation now where the only class of people excluded from the electoral registers is our elected representatives!" that's not quite accurate. There is a category of anonymous registration which is open to anyone to apply for. They have to show good reason (e.g. to protect themselves from a stalker), but if they can then they register can go on the electoral register anonymously. But also I think you misunderstand Julian Lewsis's amendment, which was to allow MPs to not have their address appear when details of candidates are published at election times. I'd agree with you that the amendment is a bad idea, but that wouldn't remove MP names from the electoral register, which seems to be what you're saying? When you wrote, “So we have the situation now where the only class of people excluded from the electoral registers is our elected representatives!” that’s not quite accurate. There is a category of anonymous registration which is open to anyone to apply for. They have to show good reason (e.g. to protect themselves from a stalker), but if they can then they register can go on the electoral register anonymously.

But also I think you misunderstand Julian Lewsis’s amendment, which was to allow MPs to not have their address appear when details of candidates are published at election times. I’d agree with you that the amendment is a bad idea, but that wouldn’t remove MP names from the electoral register, which seems to be what you’re saying?

]]> By: Linda http://heatherbrooke.org/2009/the-story-behind-dispatches-the-westminster-gravy-train/comment-page-1/#comment-1842 Linda Sun, 19 Apr 2009 11:59:46 +0000 http://www.yrtk.org/?p=696#comment-1842 Longer than I care to remember I reached the age to vote. When I told my parents I had no interest as all I could see were MP's going into political life with average wealth and coming out a lot richer my parents told me if I wanted to change things the only way was through the ballot box. Sadly this has never happened and I wonder if I will ever see democracy and accountability in my life time. The system we have in Britain is not controlled by the people who vote but by career Politicians whose only interest is how much money they can make while elected. This greed has spread down to Councils, Education, Health Trusts Banks etc, all are ruled by greedy Managers with their hands open for the next bonus or pension increase while doing little work and no accountability. Basic services and health care are at an all time low and yet still these MP's are claiming millions of pounds in expenses. We have to stop them and we really need more independent MP's who are controlled by their conscience and not the party. Heather you are one of the few glimmers of light in a very dark tunnel! Longer than I care to remember I reached the age to vote. When I told my parents I had no interest as all I could see were MP’s going into political life with average wealth and coming out a lot richer my parents told me if I wanted to change things the only way was through the ballot box. Sadly this has never happened and I wonder if I will ever see democracy and accountability in my life time. The system we have in Britain is not controlled by the people who vote but by career Politicians whose only interest is how much money they can make while elected. This greed has spread down to Councils, Education, Health Trusts Banks etc, all are ruled by greedy Managers with their hands open for the next bonus or pension increase while doing little work and no accountability. Basic services and health care are at an all time low and yet still these MP’s are claiming millions of pounds in expenses. We have to stop them and we really need more independent MP’s who are controlled by their conscience and not the party. Heather you are one of the few glimmers of light in a very dark tunnel!

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