Attack on Labour hopeful for expenses claimed when MP
A FORMER Labour backbencher who will fight the Swansea West seat in the next General Election once claimed the highest expenses of any MP.
Geraint Davies has been attacked by a political rival for his claims before losing his Croydon seat in the 2005 general election. In the year up to the election he spent more than £176,000 of taxpayers' cash on "operational costs", including £20,000 on a second home in the centre of London.
The 49-year-old has insisted he would give Swansea value for money, saying: "I had the busiest constituency office in the biggest constituency — a third bigger than Swansea West — with the UK Immigration Centre in it. My fully staffed office dealt with more than 20,000 people contacting us, which meant our overall costs were higher."
"It took two hours to go to and from Croydon between late night votes and early morning meetings so I was advised to use the overnight allowance which I did. This helped me to work over 60 hours a week and to produce more private members bills than any other MP at the time. Reforms have meant voting now stops on Monday and Tuesday by 11pm."
Lib Dem councillor Peter May, who will fight Mr Davies for the right to replace Alan Williams MP at the next election, said: "When Mr Davies was an MP, his Croydon constituency was 30 minutes away from Westminster by public transport. Yet he claimed £20,000 for a second home in central London."
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by dai, swansea
Wednesday, May 20 2009, 5:59PM
“Over to you Peter May how do you explain the comments from (Uplands Resident).Before you criticise Geraint Davies expenses abuse,is you own expenses above board? or must we wait for the E.P to disclose councillors expenses.”
by Uplands Resident, swansea
Wednesday, May 20 2009, 3:01PM
“So much for Peter May's green credentials. He claimed 40p for a trip from his home to the Guildhall, when living so close. Why can't he walk!! Even more hypocrisy from the self appointed local champion,”
by Anon, Gorseinon
Wednesday, May 20 2009, 2:19PM
“Agree with Uplands Resident. If anyone is interested in what our own councillors get Councillors travel claim forms can be found here:
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=21013
Details of councillors allowances can be found here in the council constitution:
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1758
Inotice Peter May with his £28,000 a year claims mileage from Brynmill to the Civic Centre £1 a trip.”
by Rob Banx, swansea
Wednesday, May 20 2009, 12:04AM
“tricia, swansea commented on 19-May
This is interesting, check out your local MP
http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mps.php”
by Carmel, Swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 7:35PM
“Erm Margaret, Val Lloyd does NOT commute from Swansea to Cardiff every day. Check her expenses, she stays in the St Davids Hotel at a cost to the taxpayer of £150 per night.”
by Uplands Resident, Swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 5:50PM
“In reply to Rob, I agree but not the self appointed local champion Peter May. He's to serious politics what the SWEP is to serious journalism.”
by Andy, Swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 2:17PM
“In response to Rob, Landore, alias Councillor Rob Speht - yes you are right Swansea does deserve better than Geraint Davies but they also deserve better than the LIb Dems who have since 2004 systematically run down Swansea.
Not content with making our city a mess the Lib Dem council have wasted tens of millions on failed projects, run up debts in excess of 14 million pounds for this year alone - all this even after the Lib Dem council have sold off land and property totalling 60 million pounds.
You are right Councillor Speht the people of Swansea deserve better than you and your lib dems and Geraint Davies.”
by Rob, Landore, Swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 10:46AM
“I see this failed MP reckons that he needed a 2nd home in London because it would "take 2 hours to get back to Croydon late at night".
A quick check of National Rail Enquiries shows that the journey is 28 mins to travel the 14 miles between the two.
Swansea needs a better MP than this!”
by Paul, Swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 9:54AM
“Too much on postage!! Get real Swansea, I'd rather have an MP who spends lots of money on stamps dealing with his/her many many constituents - supporting them and trying to solve their problems - than someone who sits back and does nothing gloating how much money they've saved. I'm sick of hearing MPs bragging how little they spend. Yes there are, like in any walk of life, a very bent MPs and they should be prosecuted, deselected and by-elections fought immmediately. As for the rest, trying to do an honest job, give them the office expenses they need to serve us.”
by tricia, swansea
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 8:02AM
“I would be interested in finding out how many sessions of parliament were attended by all these politicians claiming second home allowances. unlike us, they don't actually have to turn up for work every day to get paid - why couldn't they stay in a hotel, would have cost us less?”