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20/08/2009
'Double Pay' MP Clarifies Stance
A senior Tory MP has moved to clarify his suggestion that Parliamentary salaries should be doubled.
Sir Patrick Cormack had said MPs' salaries should be increased from £64,766 to £130,000, allowing for the complete abolition of Westminster expenses.
However, a Conservative officially today made it clear Sir Patrick's views were entirely personal and were not reflective of the party's position.
Sir Patrick stood over his comments but claimed they has been taken out of context.
He put forward the idea at Committee on Standards in Public Life meeting in May.
The South Staffordshire MP said: "I thought the tidiest solution for all this nonsense would be to abolish all personal allowances completely, travel, the lot and roll it up in the salary.
"But I went on to say that this would mean almost doubling the salary and because of the pension and other implications I didn't think this would therefore be acceptable.
"I then went on to spell out what I thought should be done to the allowances."
He also said second homes should be rented rather than bought.
Sir Patrick said in the current economic climate it would not be "practical or acceptable" to increase MPs' pay.
However, he said he still believes eliminating expenses is one means of restoring public confidence in Westminster.
(PR/BMcC)
Sir Patrick Cormack had said MPs' salaries should be increased from £64,766 to £130,000, allowing for the complete abolition of Westminster expenses.
However, a Conservative officially today made it clear Sir Patrick's views were entirely personal and were not reflective of the party's position.
Sir Patrick stood over his comments but claimed they has been taken out of context.
He put forward the idea at Committee on Standards in Public Life meeting in May.
The South Staffordshire MP said: "I thought the tidiest solution for all this nonsense would be to abolish all personal allowances completely, travel, the lot and roll it up in the salary.
"But I went on to say that this would mean almost doubling the salary and because of the pension and other implications I didn't think this would therefore be acceptable.
"I then went on to spell out what I thought should be done to the allowances."
He also said second homes should be rented rather than bought.
Sir Patrick said in the current economic climate it would not be "practical or acceptable" to increase MPs' pay.
However, he said he still believes eliminating expenses is one means of restoring public confidence in Westminster.
(PR/BMcC)
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13 February 2007
Long-standing Conservative MP fails to be reselected
Long-serving Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack has not been reselected to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the next general election, it has been revealed. Sir Patrick, 67, failed to be reselected by his constituency party in South Staffordshire.
Long-standing Conservative MP fails to be reselected
Long-serving Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack has not been reselected to stand as a parliamentary candidate in the next general election, it has been revealed. Sir Patrick, 67, failed to be reselected by his constituency party in South Staffordshire.
17 April 2003
Security forces colluded in murders says Stevens
The security forces in Northern Ireland did collude with loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane and Protestant student Brian Lambert, the Stevens report has found.
Security forces colluded in murders says Stevens
The security forces in Northern Ireland did collude with loyalist paramilitaries in the murder of Catholic solicitor Pat Finucane and Protestant student Brian Lambert, the Stevens report has found.
31 May 2013
£165m Funding Announced For Congested Roads Across England
Congested roads across England are to be tackled with £165 million of funding, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today. The announcement is the second tranche of funding from the £190 million Local Pinch Point Fund, first announced in December 2012.
£165m Funding Announced For Congested Roads Across England
Congested roads across England are to be tackled with £165 million of funding, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced today. The announcement is the second tranche of funding from the £190 million Local Pinch Point Fund, first announced in December 2012.
10 September 2007
Sport Deaths Prompt Call For Screening
The deaths of four young players has prompted calls for heart health screening and greater availability of defibrillators. The latest death, that of Patrick Devlin, 13, from Ardboe, occurred just four days after 10-year-old Patrick Breen from Drumquin died. Last week, in the Republic of Ireland, two young players died in County Westmeath.
Sport Deaths Prompt Call For Screening
The deaths of four young players has prompted calls for heart health screening and greater availability of defibrillators. The latest death, that of Patrick Devlin, 13, from Ardboe, occurred just four days after 10-year-old Patrick Breen from Drumquin died. Last week, in the Republic of Ireland, two young players died in County Westmeath.
31 May 2013
Conservative MP Patrick Mercer Quits Over BBC Panorama Programme
A Conservative MP has resigned from the party follwing a BBC Panorama programme alleging he broke parliamentary rules over lobbying. Mr Patrick Merecer will step down as MP for Newark at the general election in 2015. Mr Mercer said: “Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.
Conservative MP Patrick Mercer Quits Over BBC Panorama Programme
A Conservative MP has resigned from the party follwing a BBC Panorama programme alleging he broke parliamentary rules over lobbying. Mr Patrick Merecer will step down as MP for Newark at the general election in 2015. Mr Mercer said: “Panorama are planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.
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