Repton Polls Shock Result

Last night, (Thursday 1st October) the flourishing Politics Society met with over thirty members to discuss “Does the MP expenses scandal undermine the integrity of our elected representatives?”. The evening started with contextual information from Mrs Parish and then opened up to the floor. Initially, it appeared that the majority of the floor believed it did affect the integrity of our elected representatives with claims for duck-ponds, moat cleaning and renting out second homes, none of which are classed as key to parliamentary duties in the House of Commons Green Book! However, a counter argument was placed saying that MPs should be paid well and have a free expenses system to ensure that they steer away from corruption and deliver to their constituents. Suggestions to regaining integrity included moving MPs into a ‘student village’ type accommodation, removing the need for second homes, removing their expenses power; creating a central body that will pay out for transport costs and employ secretaries. Towards the end of the discussion one member and constituent of a heavily criticised MP in Lincolnshire, defended her MP claiming that he had done a lot for her area, for example, seriously supporting the local education system.

To end the evening, a vote was cast, and against initial opinion only five members agreed with the statement, polling a shock result, with one member cynically suggesting that, if most people had access to such an expenses scheme, they would behave as the MPs have done.

With this shock result it will be interesting to see how the Society responds to our next debate “Afghanistan...a troubled country:- past, present and future” in Week 7. 

Calum Setterington (U6S)
President of the Politics Society