MPs Planes and Gravy trains highlights the weakness of a system that permits MPs to decide their own terms of employment with no power of censure. It raised the concern constituents have at their MP's absence. The programme followed some of the MPs' trips and revealed what they do during the summer break. In the film, John Mann, MP for Bassetlaw, says:
'If you want to go to the Bahamas for three months, you can do. I mean going for two weeks would be extremely nice, extremely pleasant, and if people want to do that I don't blame them in taking that time off but you could go for the whole three months, you could have a home in the Bahamas and go live there and by doing so, do a few emails, if you're clever, do a few press releases and give the impression that you're working.'
In his Labour Party Conference speech at Brighton, Gordon Brown announced a fundamental change in the way MPs are engaged and detailed plans to empower the public and allow them to sack MPs. Voters can now decide what they feel is reasonable and take action if they feel an MP is not up to the job. If more than 25% of voters in their constituency decide their MP has failed them they can demand a recall and there will be a by-election.
There are still no terms of employment, but constituents will now have the power to hold their MPs to account on the basis of their record, and kick them out.
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