MP says £65k a year is not enough
A SWANSEA-BORN MP has complained that he cannot live on his £64,766 a year salary.
Nigel Evans was caught on camera claiming he needed a second job in order to make ends meet.
The unguarded comments, which come in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal, were caught by the same video journalist who recorded shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan saying that MPs live on "rations" and were treated like "sh*t".
Activist Heydon Prowse, of Don't Panic magazine, captured the comments when secretly filming the pair in the House of Commons.
Ribble Valley Tory MP Mr Evans, who was born and raised in Swansea, still owns the family convenience store, Evans the News, in Townhill.
He was caught on tape saying that he had "to have a second income, mate, couldn't survive on 64," referring to his salary.
He also speaks of how he has been "trading down" his choice of drinks in the Palace of Westminster's Strangers' Bar in the wake of the expenses scandal.
He added: "This is what it's come to now. Actually, I am paying, that's what it's come to."
And referring to some sandwiches, he jokes: "I made these myself, it's my second job."
Mr Duncan has since issued an apology for his remarks, while a spokesman for Mr Evans, who has also faced criticism for claiming mobile phone expenses averaging £375 a month, said: "Nigel Evans takes his work in Westminster extremely seriously.
"His comments were at a time when he was relaxing with friends and being light-hearted in the Westminster bar."
Following the pair's comments, Conservative leader David Cameron said his party had to demonstrate that MPs share the public's fury about the expenses affair.
But some residents in Townhill are critical of Mr Evans's comments. Townhill councillor Nicholas Bradley said: "I think this shows the mentality of some people going into politics.
"They should be going into it to support the people they represent, and the views in the House of Commons should not be about how much money it earns them.It is disappointing to hear — I would be very happy to be earning £64,000 a year. And on top of that they still receive expenses — albeit greatly reduced — and transport costs."
Townhill resident Gordon Carruthers added: "It is a ridiculous thing for Mr Evans to say.
"He has no reason to grumble about such a salary when there are people who are losing jobs, and when the taxpayer has been propping up the banks."
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by Adrian, Morriston
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 2:13PM
“Having read The Evening Post's article (Friday, 14th August) regarding Tory councillor Nigel Evans' struggle to make ends meet on his salary of £64000- it would appear that his grievances are genuine.
The accompanying photograph is proof in itself that he is having to make economies, as he is obviously unable to afford the cost of hiring designer-wear clad circus performers. He even masks his disappointment of not getting the lions share with a brave smile.”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 4:15PM
“Please note the comments of Townhill Ward Councillor, Nick Bradley, in the above artilce;
"They should be going into it to support the people they represent.....", which is double standards from him! How can he support the people he is suppossed to represent, when his attending at Commitees with Swansea Council, as derived from the Swansea Council website, is as follows for the current Fiscal year;
"Attendance 2009-2010
Area 1 Development Control Committee 0 of 9 meetings (0)%
Chief Officers Disciplinary Appeals Committee
Council 2 of 6 meetings (33)%
Finance, Audit & Business Improvement Overview Board 0 of 2 meetings (0)%
Licensing Committee 0 of 5 meetings (0)%
Licensing Sub-Committee
Planning Committee 0 of 1 meetings (0)%
Student Liaison Forum
Overall Attendance: 2 of 23 Meetings(9%) ".
So, he has 'strained' himself to attend just 2 'Committees', this is the worse record of any ELECTED Swansea Council Member! Is this is what he really thinks of the people he represnts!? Shame on Nick Bradley!
After attending a Townhill/Mayhill Housing related meeting with the community of Townhill in the summer of last year, he never attended another similar Community related 'event', including PACTS, after that meeting, again last year!
During the 2008-2009 Fiscal year, in his first year as a Councillor, Councillor Bradley only attended 12 of the 82 Committees he could have attended, a paltry 15%! All 12 were 'Council Attendances'! The records show, that he did not bother to attend ANY other Committee that year!
Therefore, though Nigel Evans was wrong to do what he did, some of the Political class locally, continue treat the Electorate of Swansea with contempt, as illustrated here and elsewhere!
Sad as it is to conclude, that both Labour and the Tories have become the 'Chocolate Fireguard' Parties of UK Politics!”
by Gail, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 3:57PM
“No, ridiculous is the way a lot of our patients are treated in hospital. Ridiculous is the way some teachers get away with not teaching and encouraging our children. Ridiculous is the way our country has been overrun with immigrants and the unemployed have no jobs. Ridiculous is the way that some people get away with cruelty to children and animals. Ridiculous is the way some people are judged, not by their actions, but by the words they speak.”
by Lynne, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 3:10PM
“Gail what i am saying that the remark whether or not said in jest was utterly riduculous!!!”
by Gail, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 2:26PM
“Lynne
The whole thing was contrived - it was said in jest - have you never made a flip remark in your life?
And yes, many of struggle in one way or another including me, but I'm not going to villify anyone for it, including the present government!”
by Lynne, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 2:17PM
“Gail that statement is not in the least funny. A lot of people are struggling, so that comment was in poor taste”
by Gail, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 1:59PM
“Did anyone bother to have a look at the video? You can see he was joking - for goodness sake, where's your sense of humour.
And to the moderators - if you're going to have a comments debate, at least have the decency to print all the comments!”
by Lynne, Swansea
Monday, August 17 2009, 7:56AM
“Well done Nigel getting your name in the paper again! You are an embarassment to Townhill and to the many residents. Your pure greed will catch up with you!!!!”
by OAP, Llanelli
Saturday, August 15 2009, 3:52PM
“Well Mr Evans, Try and live on a pension of a £100 a week , Go back to your family convenience store and see how to run that, NO claims for working in the store, Tories all the same. Moan about there PAY , and when they get cought out claiming for things by being a MP, whey say that they are in poverty, ooohhh wot a shame. WELL i hope the people that he represents has read this and will remember the Next ELECTIONS. Pensioners look out , we will suffer for this if the Tories comes' in next time round.”
by geoff, Westcross
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:44AM
“GAIL SWANSEA
You must be Mr Evans number 1 fan!?Cos you put your post through 3 times.he he!!”