20/08/09 - How to win back trust: Chris Kelly writes to the Express & Star
How to win back trust
Trust in politicians is very low at the moment, and I can understand why.
The expenses scandal has left many people feeling very angry and the inability of many of todays politicians to give a straight answer to a simple question has left many people wondering whether there is any point voting any more.
Some MPs, from all parties, have done things that were wrong - whether or not they were within the rules. David Cameron is right to have apologised for the actions of some Conservative MPs. But more than an apology, taxpayers deserve action to put things right.
David Cameron has set up a scrutiny panel to review every excessive expense claim made by a Conservative MP and agree with them how much money they will pay back. He has been very clear that anyone in the Conservative Party who refuses to accept the decision of this panel will not be allowed to continue as a Conservative MP. He has also imposed additional rules on Conservative MPs. They will have to:
-
publish each and every expense claim on-line;
-
only claim for what is necessary to do the job;
-
not flip their first and second homes to maximise what they can claim; and
-
pay capital gains tax when they sell a home on which the mortgage interest payments have been paid by the taxpayer.
If politicians want to regain peoples trust, one thing they could do is to be straight with people when they get asked a difficult question.
Gordon Browns repeated denials that he is planning to cut public spending are making him look increasingly ridiculous. We should have the confidence to tell the public the truth - that Britain faces a debt crisis.
Chris Kelly
Conservative Parliamentary Spokesman for Dudley South
13/03/10 - Chris Kelly signs up to Cancer Research UK's 'Cancer Commitment'
12/03/10 - Michael Howard joins Chris Kelly campaigning in Brierley Hill
02/03/10 - Theresa May visits Merry Hill shopping centre Asda store
Chris Kelly, Prospective Conservative MP for Dudley South, today joined the Rt. Hon. Theresa May MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensi... Read More
25/02/10 - Osborne visits Kingswinford business
16/02/10 - Chris Kelly visits Clamason Industries Ltd in Kingswinford
Chris Kelly, Prospective Conservative MP for Dudley South, today visited Clamason Industries Limited in Kingswinford to meet with the Managing Directo... Read More
11/02/10 - David Cameron visits Dudley South
Conservative Party Leader, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP, today visited Dudley South meeting with Chris Kelly, Prospective Conservative MP.
Mr Kelly ... Read More
11/02/10 - Dudley South Conservatives to field a full slate of candidates
Dudley South Conservatives have announced that, once again, they will be fielding a full slate of candidates at the local elections on Thursday 6 May.... Read More
