OFF TOPIC - LOCAL POLITICS - You Have Been Warned!

[marky No.1]

Geraldine Smith is/was in Carnforth Tesco this morning to meet people and answer questions She has her arm in a bandage and I asked "have you been bashing Mr. Brown?"

[Keith]

Geraldine took a tumble on polling day having just voted.
http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-n ... 5348235.jp

While I of course wish Geraldine a swift recovery, there is a degree of irony that she was waving to an MBI councillor when she lost her footing!

[Crimson Crust]

Geraldine took a tumble on polling day having just voted.
http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/morecambe-n ... 5348235.jp

While I of course wish Geraldine a swift recovery, there is a degree of irony that she was waving to an MBI councillor when she lost her footing!

Ooh!...never mind, she can rest her arm on the three cushions in soft light of the lamps she bought for £620. And then, practice her waving skills in her £185 mirror while looking in the reflection catching a glimpse of the £235 picture that she bought to remind herself of how she is contributing to ripping off the taxpayers!.....

....Now i'm sure the MBI's wouldn't support that! Would they?

[bigreddog]

Though I was surprised to learn that Geraldine, though a backbencher, was the 37th highest claimant last year in the whole of the commons, I do not believe there have been any details of excessive spending or indeed impropriety in any of her dealings. So maybe, even sarcastic comments should be tempered when making accusations of a serious nature about anybody.

[Keith]

the lamps she bought for £620.
£185 mirror
£235 picture

She estimated between £100 and £400 per month claimed "for food". I wonder how many working people spend £400 a month on food, especially those who have a subsidised canteen at work? In fact, I wonder how many 'poor families' that Labour was supposed to be supporting, have to survive on less than £400 on food a month?

Though I was surprised to learn that Geraldine, though a backbencher, was the 37th highest claimant last year in the whole of the commons, I do not believe there have been any details of excessive spending...

Geraldine is traditionally one of the top spenders, year on year. I guess it depends upon your view of "excessive spending"?

[Crimson Crust]

Though I was surprised to learn that Geraldine, though a backbencher, was the 37th highest claimant last year in the whole of the commons, I do not believe there have been any details of excessive spending or indeed impropriety in any of her dealings. So maybe, even sarcastic comments should be tempered when making accusations of a serious nature about anybody.

I can understand she is one of the highest claimants because of the amount of traveling she has to do.

What i can't understand is the excessive claims for food! (see above) Three times the average salary, yet still "they" have to have an allowance for food... and what an allowance?? Don't people have to eat wherever they live and however many homes you have? I'm happy for her to have luncheon vouchers and subsidised canteens and the like, but this is taking the food out of poverty stricken families(children) mouths.

Impropriety! It's a F@*&!%G Disgrace!

[Posh]

She estimated between £100 and £400 per month claimed "for food". I wonder how many working people spend £400 a month on food, especially those who have a subsidised canteen at work? In fact, I wonder how many 'poor families' that Labour was supposed to be supporting, have to survive on less than £400 on food a month?

I don't like defending Geraldine. However the figure quoted is between £100 and £400 a month, so you've automatically used the higher figure. A tad unfair.

However, even if it is at the upper end, as has been reported with other MPs, this figure does include expenses for taking people for lunch or dinner. Is it unreasonable to say that Geraldine, in the course of her constituency work, may take a visiting Morecambrian official for lunch?

[Curly]

Or to one of the (19) subsidised bars in the commons, where the tax payer can get a round in
for them. I don't expect our MPs to turn up to work in rags, but if your on £63k a year,
you can buy your own mirrors.

[Gnasher]

Though I was surprised to learn that Geraldine, though a backbencher, was the 37th highest claimant last year in the whole of the commons, I do not believe there have been any details of excessive spending or indeed impropriety in any of her dealings. So maybe, even sarcastic comments should be tempered when making accusations of a serious nature about anybody.

Bollox. She has chosen to put herself in the spotlight and while she's there, she's fair game. The last lamp & cushions I bought were from Ikea, about £20. The only reason she spent £620 on a lamp & cushions was because she knew we'd be paying for it. Otherwise I'm sure she would have been down to Ikea like the rest of us.

[Keith]

What is clear is that politicians of all flavours at all levels, are not held in high esteem by the majority of people. A sad state of affairs and one that will probably take a while to repair. The MBI's have the parish council and must now demonstrate that having formed it, they can use it as a vehicle for positive change. There will be no where to hide if they fail but likewise, they will deservedly take the plaudits if they can bring in greater investment to Morecambe than it costs to run. Whether MBI supporters or detractors, I'm sure we'd all rather see them succeed than fail... which is probably a good time to put this thread to bed.