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Mary Macleod's Commitment Regarding Expenses

Mary Macleod, the Conservative PPC for Brentford and Isleworth,  has made the following commitment regarding Expenses:"Ever since the details of MP’s expenses were first published, people have been furious about the excessive, unacceptable and possibly illegal claims made by some of the people representing us in the House of Commons. "As your local Conservative candidate, I want to make it clear to you that I will not play the system or bend the rules. Instead, I will abide by the standards that politicians expect others to live by. "When I was first selected for this constituency, I made it clear that if I was fortunate enough to be elected as the Member of Parliament for this area, I would not be claiming an additional central London home from the tax-payer. "I am now making clear other specific commitments I will make to ensure that we rebuild trust back into the political process. I am giving local residents a clear choice between Ann Keen and I. One of the key differences will be on our approach to expenses." If I am elected as Member of Parliament at the next General Election, I promise to:- Not claim the allowance for an additional home in the centre of London.- Publish on my website details of all my office expenses incurred as the Member of Parliament.- Publish on my website details of all donations above £1,000, in line with Electoral Commission rules.- Open up my unedited expenses claims to local newspapers at the end of every financial year.- Never claim for day-to-day living expenses such as food, furniture or household goods.- Hold regular surgeries so that local residents can ask directly about issues important to them."There is a clear difference between Mary Macleod's position on expenses and what Ann Keen has done since her election to Parliament in 1997 i.e. claimed hundreds of thousands of pounds in expenses, including the her totally unacceptable Additional Cost Allowance claims for a second home in Central London.Unlike Ann Keen, Mary Macleod lives in the constituency and is prepared to attend and speak at public meetings in the constituency and meet openly with her future constituents.

David Giles ● 6219d14 Comments ● 6218d

The Real Big Story: The UK economy continues to shrink under Gordon Brown

According to the BBC:"The UK economy has shrunk for six consecutive quarters for the first time since records began in the 1950s. " UK gross domestic product (GDP) contracted 0.4% between July and September, and is a big surprise as almost every City analyst expected positive growth of around 0.2%. "An unexpected decline in the services sector was the key factor behind the drop, with the distribution, catering and hotels sector performing particularly badly. "Since its peak in the first quarter of 2008, the UK economy has slid 5.9%. "The contraction seems to further support the theory that recovery will be slow and painful, with unemployment remaining stubbornly high for some time to come. "The Treasury forecasts that GDP will contract by a total of 4.3% in 2009, recovering to growth of 1.3% in 2010. "And total government debt is projected to rise to £1.4 trillion, nearly doubling to 80% of GDP. "The worse-than-expected figures are likely to make the Bank of England consider extending its policy of quantitative easing. "Quantitative easing is the central bank's policy of printing money and using it to buy bonds from banks and other companies to help stimulate the economy. "Sources: Office of National Statistics (The Government's own statistical service) and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/7789844.stm

David Giles ● 6223d9 Comments ● 6218d