Brown pledges 'tough rules' on expenses
Updated on 19 May 2009
In his first press conference on MPs' expenses since the the Daily Telegraph leaks, Gordon Brown promises an independent commission to overseee remuneration of MPs.
Among the immediate changes pledged by the prime minister –
- All mps’ additional cost allowances claims over last few years to be re-scrutinised by independent panel.
- Tough rules to be implemented immediately to restore confidence.
- Fundamental tightening agreed of the current expense rules.
- Decisions on what is claimed, how much is claimed, the ceiling for claims, and the issue of capital gains tax.
Mr Brown said that changes are necessary and overdue, but were not sufficient.
He promised that the keystone of reform was to switch from self-regulation to independent, external regulation. Westminster could not operate like some gentleman’s club where members set the rules, he said.
And he went on -
"MPs are currently put in an invidious position by having to be judge and jury of their pay and rations.
"Proposals for an independent commission to regulate MPs’ remuneration will be set out.
This independent body would oversee and administer the new allowances system to be put in place following Sir Christopher Kelly’s regulations. Members’ pay will be set by the senior salaries review body.
“These are big changes. They change centuries of history for parliament,” the prime minister conceded.
The prime minister continued: "All opposition parties have welcomed in principle the proposal to switch to statutory independent regulation.
“We need to look much more deeply at how parliament works… It must be a process that engages citizens themselves.”
“We will come forward with proposals in the coming weeks for how we can take this forward.”
“I encourage every MP over the recess… to do whatever it takes to engage the public in this necessary debate about how our politics is working and what ends it serves.”
