Campaign to make MPs declare their expenses is backed (Derby City Liberal Democrats)

Derby City Liberal Democrats <info@derbycitylibdems.org.uk>

Campaign to make MPs declare their expenses is backed

May 31, 2007 12:12 PM

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner, Councillor Lucy Care has welcomed the launch of a national petition by Liberal Democrats to make MPs declare their travel expenses. This follows the passing of a Bill to exempt MPs from Freedom of Information rules. If the Bill became law it would mean that MPs would no longer have to declare their travel expenses.

The petition calls on all political parties to back the campaign to stop the change going through.

Liberal Democrats in Derby have already criticised Derby North Labour MP Bob Laxton for voting to change the law to remove the public's right to see MPs' travel and expenses claims.

The Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the Conservative MP David Maclean, would remove any obligation for MPs' expenses to be made public. It would also stop people from finding out what their Member of Parliament has said to other public bodies.

Derby Liberal Democrat campaigner Lucy Care said, "This Bill risks bringing Parliament into disrepute. There were a relatively small number of MPs actually in the House to vote for it, so I was sad to hear that Bob Laxton was one of those to vote for this bad Bill.

"Personally, I find it hypocritical that MPs should require other public officials, and elected representatives like local councillors, to reveal their expenses whilst banning people from seeing their own. All are paid for from the public purse and there is no reason to have one rule for MPs and another for everyone else.

"It is clear what has prompted this. Earlier this year, the parliamentary authorities lost a legal battle to keep the details of MPs' travel expenses secret. Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker had mounted a successful legal challenge against this House of Commons secrecy. As a result, Parliament was forced to declare how much each MP had claimed in travel expenses broken down according to whether it was by car, rail, air or bicycle.

"Clearly, some MPs found the publication of this information a bit embarrassing. They don't think they should have to justify to their constituents their publicly funded travel arrangements. They would rather hide behind a wall of secrecy.

"The change to the law agreed on Friday was a shameful decision. While Gordon Brown was claiming he was in favour of more accountable government, his party was conspiring with the Conservatives to deny people the right to know what their MPs are spending taxpayers' money on.

"This is however, not yet the end. The changes have to be passed by the House of Lords. Liberal Democrat peers have said they will fight this change all the way. Please sign the online petition to give peers the clear message that they must throw out this Labour/Conservatives plan to pull a veil of secrecy over the actions of MPs."

The petition can be signed on line at http://www.ourcampaign.org.uk/foi