All MPs second homes should be brought in to public ownership – “in order to restore public trust”.

 

That’s the call made today (Thursday) by Independent MP Dai Davies.

 

It follows yesterday’s moves by both Labour and the Conservatives to abolish the so-called ‘John Lewis list’ expenses.

 

“Scrapping the 24,000 pounds MPs can spend on things like furniture and Plasma-TVs for their second homes won’t change the public’s view that MPs may be on the make”, the Blaenau Gwent MP said.

“We have got to go much further and say to the public most MPs need a second home in order to work in the Commons in London – but they should not make any profit from those homes”.

Mr. Davies –has written to the Prime Minister and to the Leader of the House of Commons calling for all MPs second homes, paid for out of the public purse, to be brought into the ownership of the country.

“There are 415 MPs whose existing mortgage interest is paid for by the Commons Finance Department and the future sale of these properties should benefit the Country not the individual MP Mr. Davies said.

He wants to see an ‘Allocations Officer’ appointed by the Commons who would then allocate those homes taken into public ownership to MPs based upon their needs.

“Like it or not, the public perception is that MPs can make vast amounts of money at the public’s expense. Scrapping the money spent on furniture and electrical goods doesn’t go far enough to restore public belief.

“We have got to send out the message that we are elected to serve the public not to benefit ourselves.

“This proposal would save millions and make millions for the public purse, and send out the message that we are motivated by public service”.

Mr. Davies has also laid down an Early Day Motion in which he calls either for all of the 415 MPs homes to be brought into public ownership (allocated on a needs basis), or for MPs to be given the opportunity to voluntarily ‘sign over’ their homes in to the ownership of the Commons, and the country.

  

“We have got to restore public confidence in the idea that MPs are motivated by public service and this ongoing points scoring debate is doing nothing to encourage the public to engage in politics”.