PRESS RELEASE
6 November 2006

Malcolm Moss MP Rejects Government Proposals for Additional Funding Allowances.

Local MP Malcolm Moss voted against the Parliamentary Motion that will allow Members of Parliament a separate allowance for communications with their electorate.

In putting forward the motion The Leader of the House Jack Straw MP said “This House welcomes the principle of establishing, from 1st April 2007, a separate Allowance for Members of Parliament to assist in the work of communicating with the public on parliamentary business and instructs the Members Estimate Committee to prepare a detailed proposal for such an allowance.”

The motion received 290 votes in favour and only 199 against. Members of the House particularly Labour MP’s have voted, themselves, to increase their funding allowances. This begs the question, why do Labour MP’s want this extra money?

Mr Moss says “The Motion is a cover up. It is designed primarily to help Labour incumbents consolidate their position within the constituency by sending out a wave of unnecessary literature to their electorate. That tax payer’s money should be allowed for this purpose is ridiculous.

“MP’s can communicate with their electorate in a manner that requires much less expense. The tax payer’s money should not be used to further Labour Party propaganda but for relevant causes that will actually benefit the electorate.”

Mr Moss argues that constituents do not appreciate being bombed with campaign literature and constituency newsletters. In his experience if constituents are concerned over an issue they will write a letter or an email, call him directly or attend one of his surgeries. For this reason an extra allowance is frivolous and unnecessary.

The motion for the extension of funding allowances has passed and will come into effect on 1^st April 2007.