Conservative hoping to be Stoke Central’s next MP has published a clean expenses and fair campaign pledge.

Where in Stoke Central is she going to live? Bentilee? Northwood? The new "houses" down by the canal? The high-rise flats in Hanley? Penkhull? Such a rich variety to choose from. :)

Excellent that Norsheen has pledged this, doubtful that it will make any difference as it is highly unlikely that she will be voted in, but I think most MP's and candidates will do very similar things. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done, so in a way its like bolting the proverbial stable door after the horse has left...

One point that I think needs addressing though is the employing of members of the family....there are times when they MAY be the best person for the job, so taking on anyone else means that you are accepting second best.

If I lived in Stoke Central I'd invite her to live with me. Ding-dong. However, there are some decent areas within the constituency I'm sure she'll be happy with. Penkhull's probably her best bet.

"The expenses scandal has badly tarnished Parliament".

No it hasn't.
Don't blame my Parliament or tarnish me or associate me with those that had their fingers in the till.

I'v always said this, if I was running, I would do the same. Book them in a hotel, give them a good lap top and mobile phone, let them have 3 to 4 PA's or resurchers, one of witch maybe the MPs partner, and a 2nd class railway pass to go anywhere in the country. At the money they are on, after that, its up to them. As for them tree Labour MP's and Tory pear trying to get off charges by useing parlimatry imuaerty, I hope they get pulled into count, found guilty and publicly floged outside Westminster.

Agreed.

But I may be wrong Warren, but I think that only the 3 Labour MPs are trying to claim parliamentary privilege?

Yes,Shaun just the three, all Labour, I know it sould be more, and across all partys. The Labour party sould detatch themselfs from these three slugs. Utter disgrace, them have not even got the guts to stand up and admit what they have done, hideing behind antequated laws.

We do need to be careful what we say-as this is now with the court of course.

We can't say whether the Labour MPs are guilty as charged or not, but one thing that I think is clear is that the parliamentary privilege argument seems nothing more than a smokescreen.

Parliamentary privilege is not there to protect MPs from ANY prosecution for ANY crime that they may committ.

Parliamentary privilege is there to protect the rights of MPs who speak out, not crooks who commit fraud. IF the MPs fall into the latter category as determined by the court, then parliamentary privilege cannot be the defence.

In addition to my comments above, it appears that Warren was absolutely right and that Lord Hanningfield is also attempting the parliamentary privilege defence.
As I said above, as this is now with the court, we should not be commenting on this further.

So on the issue of Norsheen's statement, whilst I generally welcome it, I do think that we are now seeing politicians going way too far to try and please an electorate that is going to remain unimpressed until MPs partake in weekly floggings thorough the streets of their constituencies.

Some of her committments are entirely reasonable. Others are in my opinion unnecessary:

•to make her main home in Stoke Central- most people would have expected that anyway.

•only claim for rent or mortgage- Thats up to you, but you should claim for what you are entitled to-nothing more, nothing less. Being an MP is an honour, but it is also a job and nobody should be out of pocket to cover the essentials of their job.

•not to claim for food, furniture or household goods- well claiming for food is an outrage because of course the MP would have to eat WHEREVER they lived. It is not therefore a legitimate expense of being an MP. But if being an MP forces you to have a second home, then you have got to furnish it to be able to live in it properly. That doesn't mean an MP has to buy the most expensive furniture they can find, there is a limit. But nobody will surely begrudge MPs basic living conditions?

•to only claim for second class travel- well thats up to you. Again, claims should be proportionate but you should claim for what you actually are entitled to.

•not to employee any family members- I completely and utterly disagree with this one. Family members are often the best people to work for an MP. In almost EVERY case, the MP's spouse who acts as secretary is always at the MPs side, works well outside regular hours and often provide the best service for constituents. The idea that there is anything wrong with that practice is very dangerous.

•publish all her expense claims on her website for residents to inspect- sounds like a good idea.

•make her accounts available to local newspapers to scrutinise- why? whats it got to do with them unless they're making an allegation? MPs might as well post copies of all their accounts to every constituent whilst they're at it! This is an example of going too far the other way. MPs should not be presumed to be guilty until proven otherwise. So long as all accounts are properly kept and filed just in case a question is asked, there is no need to justify yourself to anyone.

spin, spin, spin - isnt there a requirement under the new laws being brought in that they cant calim for food, only claim for rent or mortgage wheer they have to live and that they cant employ their own family?

What utter spin and boll@&ks from the belly dancing no hoper.

Read the rules and you will see she is only repeating the legislaion anyway - as for declaring election expenses - thats also a requirement of the law -

ps how much belly dancing and lap dancing fees have you declared to inland revenue?

Try a promise of not switching sides to further your career or your extended familes right to come and reside here, then we might have something of substance.

spin, spin, spin - isnt there a requirement under the new laws being brought in that they cant calim for food, only claim for rent or mortgage wheer they have to live and that they cant employ their own family?

What utter spin and boll@&ks from the belly dancing no hoper.

Read the rules and you will see she is only repeating the legislaion anyway - as for declaring election expenses - thats also a requirement of the law -

ps how much belly dancing and lap dancing fees have you declared to inland revenue?

Try a promise of not switching sides to further your career or your extended familes right to come and reside here, then we might have something of substance.

spin, spin, spin - isnt there a requirement under the new laws being brought in that they cant calim for food, only claim for rent or mortgage wheer they have to live and that they cant employ their own family?

What utter spin and boll@&ks from the belly dancing no hoper.

Read the rules and you will see she is only repeating the legislaion anyway - as for declaring election expenses - thats also a requirement of the law -

ps how much belly dancing and lap dancing fees have you declared to inland revenue?

Try a promise of not switching sides to further your career or your extended familes right to come and reside here, then we might have something of substance.

David, is something the metter with your computer dude, or have you been on the lash again.

i wish warren, have no idea what happened there - pressed send and thing went crazy!!!!!!

Still gets me point across dunit?

In triplicate David...

Yes David, it did, and some of your points I well agree with. The last ponit you make though, about Miss Bhatti's extended family, I don't and only hope its a joke.

everything about politics is a joke in this country at the moment warren - none of them are truely standing up for us. Look at the report about the banks this morning, they failed to lend the £1 billion pounds given to them to give to the small businesses - they have crippled our economy whilst feathering their own nests.

Mps are now crying into their spilt milk about expenses - they should be prosecuted - we would if we fiddled benefits.

On the extended family issue - look at what Kieth Vaz did and others who were successfully elected - they by passed rules for their own gain - just an observational point.

I was serious about how much she had declared to inland revenue though for her private belly dancing routines!!!!

Its a shame you feel like that David mate, but the only way to change it is to highlight the problems by talking them over.

David Jack is talking about changing sides???? Obviously he's never done such a thing during his long illustrious (or should that be tedious?) political career.

I thought (hoped) they'd locked you up mate. Or are you posting from a prison cell??

The triplicate post issue - obviously someone has just hacked into your computer again, or you've been out on the lash or a combination of both??

Wakey wakey David, it's slop out time in your cell!!

Well Guest, as I said on the Andy Large interview page, David Jack has now seemingly been reduced to the status of the drunk in the street that abuse all and sundry if they so much as look at him the wrong way; the sort of nutcase everyone crosses the street to avoid. Its such a shame that the end of his political ambitions seems to have turned him into such a bitter person.

But of course its even worse than that. Because given his allegations on the Andy Large page, he also seems to be a liar. This is something which he has not dared take issue with when I challenged him on it. With no explanation of his allegations forthcoming, I'm afraid that that is the only conclusion anyone can draw from him.

Judging by the lack of response from Mr (I was out on the lash) Jack, the prison officers must be screening his responses to emails / forums.

How long have you got locked up for matey??