stupot07
Well-Known Member
Independent, I and the financial Times are classed as not endorsing either party in the 2019 election
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Do you want to discuss boring politics? (15 Viewers)
- Thread starter mrtrench
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chiefdave
Well-Known Member
What a bizarre article. MP buys equipment to enable them to engage with their constituents.Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana, the Corbyn-supporting MP for Coventry South with 85,000 followers on Instagram, used her expense account to buy equipment
View attachment 20186
Rising star Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who regularly features in videos for left-wing Youtube channels, has spent almost £800 of taxpayers’ money on an “influencer toolkit”, The Telegraph can reveal.
The Corbynite MP for Coventry South is being urged to explain why she used parliamentary expenses to purchase an LED ring light designed for “Youtube video shooting, photography or makeup”, as well as a Canon camera and a professional microphone.
Ms Sultana frequently contributes high-quality videos to Double Down News, a left-wing online news channel, with recent features including a clip of her “unboxing political freebies” in her parliamentary office.
She has also amassed more than 100,000 followers on 1.8 million likes on her personal TikTok account, as well as 85,000 followers on Instagram.
Questions about Ms Sultana’s expenses claims come as another prominent Labour MP, Dawn Butler, faces criticism for claiming more than £200 for professional microphone and recording devices usually found in DJ sets.
Ms Sultana claims her purchases were for constituency and constituency purposes, but did not respond to a request to show examples of the equipment contributing to such work. Instead, critics claim she neglected the spirit of the expenses system.
The chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell said that “taxpayers will be deeply concerned that their money has been spent on an expensive influencer tool kit.”
Mr O’Connell added: “The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly when it comes to high-end digital equipment. With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, MPs must show that we’re all in it together and think carefully about what they claim for.”
That sentiment was shared by a senior Labour parliamentary staffer with knowledge of the expenses process, who said: “Whether or not it’s a justified claim, filing for a ring light just looks foul.”
Ms Sultana has previously come under scrutiny for claiming £1,193 for a new iPhone, having said that her previous one stopped working, and was separately forced to repay £2,800 after claiming for “consultancy work” which was later found to be outside the rules. The work is believed to have involved the designing of her website.
More recently, the maverick MP was forced to pay back £25 she claimed for a yoga class, which parliamentary authorities bluntly said was “not claimable under the [expenses] scheme”.
MPs’ expenses have come under greater scrutiny in recent weeks, after it was revealed that they collectively spent nearly £40,000 of taxpayers’ money on Apple laptops, wireless earphones, iPhones and iPads during the pandemic.
A spokesperson for Zarah Sultana said: “For an MP’s office to purchase digital equipment like this is common, absolutely within the rules, and supports their Parliamentary and constituency work.
“Rest assured that this report will not deter Zarah in campaigning against poverty and inequality, and in building a world for the many, not just the few.”
A spokesperson for IPSA said that while “equipment to support digital communication is claimable where it relates to parliamentary work”, it is down to MPs to explain the specific parliamentary reasons behind the purchases.
Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana used taxpayer funds to purchase a ring light, among other digital productswww.telegraph.co.uk
Personally I find having a more accessible MP a plus. I've heard more from her in 18 months than I have from every other MP I've had over the last 30 years combined! Don't agree with a lot of it but I least I know what my MP is doing which is a welcome change.
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
Agree, it does seem a very trivial article, but I think the point that this sort of thing should come out of a MPs allowance rather than expenses is clear, and I did note she also chose an expensive iphone, also not an expenses item. So, bit naughty but that's all.
She is very good at getting publicity, I agree, just not always the best publicity e.g standing up in a park and calling Israelis racists.
shmmeee
Well-Known Member
Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana, the Corbyn-supporting MP for Coventry South with 85,000 followers on Instagram, used her expense account to buy equipment
View attachment 20186
Rising star Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who regularly features in videos for left-wing Youtube channels, has spent almost £800 of taxpayers’ money on an “influencer toolkit”, The Telegraph can reveal.
The Corbynite MP for Coventry South is being urged to explain why she used parliamentary expenses to purchase an LED ring light designed for “Youtube video shooting, photography or makeup”, as well as a Canon camera and a professional microphone.
Ms Sultana frequently contributes high-quality videos to Double Down News, a left-wing online news channel, with recent features including a clip of her “unboxing political freebies” in her parliamentary office.
She has also amassed more than 100,000 followers on 1.8 million likes on her personal TikTok account, as well as 85,000 followers on Instagram.
Questions about Ms Sultana’s expenses claims come as another prominent Labour MP, Dawn Butler, faces criticism for claiming more than £200 for professional microphone and recording devices usually found in DJ sets.
Ms Sultana claims her purchases were for constituency and constituency purposes, but did not respond to a request to show examples of the equipment contributing to such work. Instead, critics claim she neglected the spirit of the expenses system.
The chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell said that “taxpayers will be deeply concerned that their money has been spent on an expensive influencer tool kit.”
Mr O’Connell added: “The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly when it comes to high-end digital equipment. With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, MPs must show that we’re all in it together and think carefully about what they claim for.”
That sentiment was shared by a senior Labour parliamentary staffer with knowledge of the expenses process, who said: “Whether or not it’s a justified claim, filing for a ring light just looks foul.”
Ms Sultana has previously come under scrutiny for claiming £1,193 for a new iPhone, having said that her previous one stopped working, and was separately forced to repay £2,800 after claiming for “consultancy work” which was later found to be outside the rules. The work is believed to have involved the designing of her website.
More recently, the maverick MP was forced to pay back £25 she claimed for a yoga class, which parliamentary authorities bluntly said was “not claimable under the [expenses] scheme”.
MPs’ expenses have come under greater scrutiny in recent weeks, after it was revealed that they collectively spent nearly £40,000 of taxpayers’ money on Apple laptops, wireless earphones, iPhones and iPads during the pandemic.
A spokesperson for Zarah Sultana said: “For an MP’s office to purchase digital equipment like this is common, absolutely within the rules, and supports their Parliamentary and constituency work.
“Rest assured that this report will not deter Zarah in campaigning against poverty and inequality, and in building a world for the many, not just the few.”
A spokesperson for IPSA said that while “equipment to support digital communication is claimable where it relates to parliamentary work”, it is down to MPs to explain the specific parliamentary reasons behind the purchases.
Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana used taxpayer funds to purchase a ring light, among other digital products
That’s not a lot really and communicating is kinda their job, see the £1.5m press office we won’t be using.
And £40k to kit out 600 people plus staff isn’t bad at all.
stupot07
Well-Known Member
Interesting looking at her expenses, she's bought the phone and her monthly bill is £13 per month.
I looked at one of the the new Conservative mps Kate Griffiths, her contract is £66ppm, theres no doubt that is also a top of the range phone.
What comes out better value for money?£700-900 for the handset plus £13*24 contract for 2 years = £1,012-1,212
Or £66 per months for 2 years £1,584
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Ian1779
Well-Known Member
Boris and his cabinet members just spent 40K of taxpayers money at Just Eat. But get outraged at £700 why not.Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana, the Corbyn-supporting MP for Coventry South with 85,000 followers on Instagram, used her expense account to buy equipment
View attachment 20186
Rising star Labour MP Zarah Sultana, who regularly features in videos for left-wing Youtube channels, has spent almost £800 of taxpayers’ money on an “influencer toolkit”, The Telegraph can reveal.
The Corbynite MP for Coventry South is being urged to explain why she used parliamentary expenses to purchase an LED ring light designed for “Youtube video shooting, photography or makeup”, as well as a Canon camera and a professional microphone.
Ms Sultana frequently contributes high-quality videos to Double Down News, a left-wing online news channel, with recent features including a clip of her “unboxing political freebies” in her parliamentary office.
She has also amassed more than 100,000 followers on 1.8 million likes on her personal TikTok account, as well as 85,000 followers on Instagram.
Questions about Ms Sultana’s expenses claims come as another prominent Labour MP, Dawn Butler, faces criticism for claiming more than £200 for professional microphone and recording devices usually found in DJ sets.
Ms Sultana claims her purchases were for constituency and constituency purposes, but did not respond to a request to show examples of the equipment contributing to such work. Instead, critics claim she neglected the spirit of the expenses system.
The chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, John O’Connell said that “taxpayers will be deeply concerned that their money has been spent on an expensive influencer tool kit.”
Mr O’Connell added: “The electorate expects politicians to stay grounded and keep costs under control, particularly when it comes to high-end digital equipment. With the economy and public finances in such dire straits, MPs must show that we’re all in it together and think carefully about what they claim for.”
That sentiment was shared by a senior Labour parliamentary staffer with knowledge of the expenses process, who said: “Whether or not it’s a justified claim, filing for a ring light just looks foul.”
Ms Sultana has previously come under scrutiny for claiming £1,193 for a new iPhone, having said that her previous one stopped working, and was separately forced to repay £2,800 after claiming for “consultancy work” which was later found to be outside the rules. The work is believed to have involved the designing of her website.
More recently, the maverick MP was forced to pay back £25 she claimed for a yoga class, which parliamentary authorities bluntly said was “not claimable under the [expenses] scheme”.
MPs’ expenses have come under greater scrutiny in recent weeks, after it was revealed that they collectively spent nearly £40,000 of taxpayers’ money on Apple laptops, wireless earphones, iPhones and iPads during the pandemic.
A spokesperson for Zarah Sultana said: “For an MP’s office to purchase digital equipment like this is common, absolutely within the rules, and supports their Parliamentary and constituency work.
“Rest assured that this report will not deter Zarah in campaigning against poverty and inequality, and in building a world for the many, not just the few.”
A spokesperson for IPSA said that while “equipment to support digital communication is claimable where it relates to parliamentary work”, it is down to MPs to explain the specific parliamentary reasons behind the purchases.
Labour MP spent over £700 of taxpayers money on 'influencers toolkit'
Zarah Sultana used taxpayer funds to purchase a ring light, among other digital products
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
Given the possible examples of waste and corruption I'm not sure that providing hot food for nightshift workers is one of them. Boo, down with the workers!
Sky_Blue_Dreamer
Well-Known Member
Just feed them from one of the many successful foodbanks this government has managed to bless us with
Sky_Blue_Dreamer
Well-Known Member
Because if they weren't they wouldn't have joined the Tories. Plus I think their records speak for themselves, Thatcher's esp. Gove is another from 'low stock' but clearly believes that was 'beneath him' and he's better than the average person. When in reality he's just another power-hungry deluded little gobshite.
Grendel
Well-Known Member
You really have a massive chip on your shoulder - thatcher would have dealt with this crises better than any of the pipsqueak politicians we now have. Even trying to compare her to insignificant worms like Corbyn and Starmer is genuinely hilarious
Ian1779
Well-Known Member
Outstanding idea - free hot food for all public sector night shift workers.
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
How very socialist of you Sir. I'm sure they're very grateful for your appreciation of their volunteer covid efforts.
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
I wonder how they'd react if someone suggested that their holiday should be cut on account of the need to catch up on the NHS waiting list, and the government hired a 'tsar' to whip them into shape.
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
You have to laugh, here's some nightshift workers, who will have volunteered to work the shift, getting free burgers, and there's uproar.
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Really?
Ian1779
Well-Known Member
But there isn’t... in fact there’s more uproar from the Telegraph in your posting of the £700 story.
Where's the evidence that these takeaways for night shift volunteers?
Because everything seems to suggest that Boris and Carrie had £27k worth of takeaways smuggled into no10, some of it paid for by Tory donors.
Yet someone from Labour spent 700 quid? Hang her!
Of course Johnson didn't want to feed children living in poverty but spends 800 quid a week on takeaways. Fuck that fat c**t (and anyone defending him).
Because everything seems to suggest that Boris and Carrie had £27k worth of takeaways smuggled into no10, some of it paid for by Tory donors.
Yet someone from Labour spent 700 quid? Hang her!
Of course Johnson didn't want to feed children living in poverty but spends 800 quid a week on takeaways. Fuck that fat c**t (and anyone defending him).
Sky Blue Pete
Well-Known Member
Mirror story about money to the very wealthy over the last year makes you weep. We really do need an alternative vision of a more just and fair future
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
They spent £37B on a track and trace system that still doesn’t work. But get outraged at £40k why not
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
Now that would be uplifting.Just feed them from one of the many successful foodbanks this government has managed to bless us with
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
I need a new job. When I’m at work I have to feed myself. I always thought that was normal but apparently I’m the odd one out.
skybluetony176
Well-Known Member
Butler smuggled £27,000 organic takeaways into No.10
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced fresh questions last night as the full story of the secret operation to supply him with £27,000 worth of luxury food at no.10 was disclosed.
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Scrounging c**t.Butler smuggled £27,000 organic takeaways into No.10
Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced fresh questions last night as the full story of the secret operation to supply him with £27,000 worth of luxury food at no.10 was disclosed.www.google.co.uk
WAISTLINE +8
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Lots of the Dead Labour Losers Society up early this ready to spout another day of utter irrelevant nonsense no doubt
JKT +4
GDL -4
Grendel
Well-Known Member
It’s absurd he has to dodge rules on ordering food. In most western countries he’d have a far far better residence and many are paid a lot more and also have their own private chefs paid for.
It’s symptomatic of a wider issue that the leader of the country is underpaid and undervalued compared to many of his peers
Well you didn't deny it, at least you're honest I suppose.
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
There are free food initiatives everywhere under this government, including meal vouchers and butler running. Can't you just use the foodbanks if you're struggling?
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
It’s absurd he has to have someone tell him what to eat when he’s leader of the country
D
Deleted member 4439
Guest
Brighton Sky Blue
Well-Known Member
Grendel
Well-Known Member
He should have a Michelin chef and an advisor - I’m not even joking the U.K. needs to get out of this 1970’s view of its leaders
D