Home truths for Enfield MPs (From Enfield Independent)

Home truths for Enfield MPs

1:36pm Tuesday 7th April 2009

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In light of recent revelations that two of the three MPs based in Enfield claim for a second home despite living in commutable distance of central London and Westminster, I would suggest there is a relatively simple solution to the issue of the apparent misuse of the second homes allowance for MPs.

MPs’ constituency homes must always be their first home and paid for from the MPs’ salary.

Second homes can be provided near Westminster paid for by the public purse, but remaining the property of The Crown. These second homes would, on loss of the seat, be either passed to another MP or sold with the proceeds remaining with The Crown.

This would ensure second homes were purely a place to live at Westminster during the time as a sitting MP and not a long-term perk, the cost of which could be manipulated by MPs to their advantage.

Paul D Smith, Enfield Liberal Democrats

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