Edgbaston survey reveals public's disapproval over MPs buying second homes with taxpayers' cash

Oct 21 2009 by Jonathan Walker, Birmingham Post

The public wants MPs barred from using public money to buy second homes, according to a survey in a Birmingham constituency.

But despite revelations about politicians abusing their expenses, most voters think they should receive an allowance to subsidise the cost of living - or a higher salary instead.

The findings were published by MP Gisela Stuart (Lab Edgbaston) following a survey of her constituents, as party leaders admitted they had to make the House of Commons more representative.

Conservative leader David Cameron said he was ready to consider imposing all-women shortlists on constituency parties in the run-up to the general election. And Gordon Brown admitted a crackdown on MPs’ expenses could make it hard for people who were not wealthy to enter Parliament. Ms Stuart contacted 20,000 constituents over the summer in an effort to find out how the MPs’ expenses scandal had damaged public trust in politicians. The survey found that 36 per cent of Edgbaston voters believed MPs should receive a second home allowance on top of their salaries.

Another 20 per cent said they should receive no allowance, but should receive a pay increase instead. And 44 per cent said MPs should just get their current salaries and nothing else. Although this was the most popular answer, a total of 56 per cent believed MPs should get some sort of funding for a second home.

But asked if MPs should be allowed to use public money to help buy a home, just 19 per cent said yes while 73 per cent said they should only be allowed to rent. Under the current rules, MPs can use their allowances to subsidised mortgages on homes they own, but keep the profit for themselves if they sell the property once it has increased in value.

Ms Stuart said: “We know people are angry. What the survey found is that they are also realistic. Either you stick with an allowance of some kind or you bump up the salary. But people are very clear that they want us to rent and not buy, if the taxpayer is paying.”