Dear Resident

Like the public in general I have been horrified at the evidence of abuse of the parliamentary allowances system. As an MP representing an inner London seat, with my home in Streatham, I knew nothing of the scope for manipulation of the second home arrangement and was amazed to learn of the £400 monthly food allowance. I eat all my meals in the week at the House of Commons and it had never occurred to me that an MP would not pay out of his or her own pocket for them.

I wanted to be an MP because I believed it to be a noble and decent activity and I have always tried to do the right thing. Now, alas, we are all contaminated and I shall retire next year from a tainted institution.

However, because the elected House of Commons is the lynch pin of our democracy we must act firmly to establish its integrity in relation to expenses and salaries. The Committee on Standards in Public Life, under the chairmanship of Sir Christopher Kelly, is due to report on expenses in the autumn. It seems likely that it will recommend an independent body to determine the nature and size of expenses and their independent audit – I shall support such proposals.

It seems to me blindingly obvious that MPs should not be voting either on their allowances or on their salaries. Indeed, in the mid 1990s I was one of the MPs who voted for their pay to be decided by the independent Senior Salaries Review Board and this was also the recommendation in Sir John Baker’s report on MPs’ salaries last summer. I hope we can stick with the independent determination of MPs’ pay instead of governments repeatedly meddling.

I have written at greater length about this issue on my website and would invite you to visit it at www.keithhill.org.uk for further details. However, I write now simply to reassure you that there has been no abuse of parliamentary expenses here in Streatham. Our local Labour Party is not of great means. Chuka Umunna, a local boy and our new parliamentary candidate, has spent just under £15K on his campaign to date, less than one fifth of that spent by other political parties in this area. His campaign is mainly funded from small donations from local people, with additional funding from local trade union members. That is the way it should be.

As ever, I am at your service. Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need assistance.

Best wishes,

Keith

Rt. Hon. Keith Hill MP
Member of Parliament for Streatham

The parliamentary constituency of Streatham covers Streatham and parts of Clapham, Balham, Tulse Hill and Brixton.