WOULD BE MP PLEDGES 'NO' TO SECOND HOME

Following the news that the Prime Minister's much vaunted plans to radically change MP's Expenses are to be dropped, the Rossendale and Darwen LibDem Parliamentary candidate - Dale Mulgrew has pledged to take the matter into his own hands.

Although there will be a vote on Thursday to make some minor changes to MPs arrangements on expenses, the more serious reforms that were going to replace the second home allowance are now going to be shelved.

In response Mr Mulgrew has vowed that if he his elected to serve in the next Parliament for the Rossendale and Darwen constituency, he will not be taking up the opportunity to buy a second home. Instead he will take an allowance to cover his accommodation and this will either be used to pay for suitable lodgings or to rent a flat.

Mr Mulgrew commented, 'Once more the government have back tracked on sorting out the real mess that is suffocating MPs expenses. They have failed to present a sensible alternative to really reform the system. This is quite a U-turn from a prime minister who is clearly searching for some good news, after the constant barrage of negative headlines that his party have had to deal with of late.'

'If the government won't abolish this 'second homes' perk before the next general election, in order to restore the public's trust, I pledge to take the matter into my own hands. I am concerned that there is a growing tide of public opinion that thinks our representatives in Parliament are only interested in squeezing out every ounce of goodwill from the taxpayer. The gravy train needs to be halted.'

'I will instead look towards finding suitable accommodation that will allow me to do the job of MP in London, for which I will publish the details of in full. This will not reap any financial benefit to me. I have a young family and so I don't want to be spending my weekends away from them, so I really only require accommodation whilst Parliament is sitting.'

'We have recently seen the ugly spectacle of certain local MP's really looking to maximise their expenses in any way possible. I want to assure the voters of Rossendale and Darwen that I have thought about this and I want to prove from the start that the job is a real privilege. MP's should consider the political sensitivities associated with the way they operate.'