Tory hypocrisy on transport

It seems the issue of train fares and fuel cost still vex the wider public in Kent and especially amongst those like me, who have to commute and pay through the teeth for the pleasure of it.

This blog has highlighted Conservative hypocrisy on fares and trasport before. Most of the public realise that the Conservatives campaigned against train fare increases prior to May 2010, and once elected, reneged on that promise, extended the 3% RPI increase whilst additionally cut the rail grant.

Many of our Conservative MPs have also stood by the hard-pressed car user and in many cases highlighted the price of fuel across Kent.

Many have also backed the Kent Messengers Commuter's Charter campaign.

Interesting therefore that a number of our local Kent MPs have run up sizeable travel expenses at the public behest according to IPSA, the parliamentary expenses watchdog.

In addition, whilst members of the public are expected to pay their own taxi or transport fares with the high fuel prices, our MPs can claim this back at the public expense. Many appear very happy to do so.

Remembering the average MP's salary is £68,000, well above average, people in Kent may be interested to read the below:

All of the below is accessible on the IPSA Expenses website under 'travel' expenses for (2010/2011 Financial Year):

Rehman Chisthi - Gillingham & Rainham

Rehman campaigned against Transport Minister Paul Clark MP from his selection as Conservative PPC. He also campaigned actively at train stations on a ticket against train fare increases:

According to IPSA he claims £345.30 for a monthly season ticket. In addition to other 'travel' costs, he has billed a total of £2,176 at the public expense.

Gareth Johnson - Dartford

A campaigner against the Dartford Toll, which was quickly rebuffed after the Conservatives took power in May 2010.

According to IPSA he claimed £3,168 for 'travel' since taking office, primarily by car.

Adam Holloway - Gravesham

Another transport and commuter champion who backs Kent campaigns to cut the cost of travel for residents.

According to IPSA he claimed £1,046 for 'travel' since taking office in May 2010.

Mark Reckless - Rochester & Strood

Mark was formerly and is still a regular commuter and knows better then most the campaign pitfuls and perils of transport.

According to IPSA he claimed £104 for 'travel'

Tracey Crouch - Chatham & Aylesford

Despite having admitted to debt problems as a researcher in Parliament, she unlike her colleagues has been able to travel without billing the public [at all]. Perhaps those elsewhere should take note.

Gordon Henderson - Sittingbourne & Sheppey

A former Wayfield boy from Medway, surely he should know the impacts of transport costs on normal hard working families in the area.

According to IPSA this is not so. He billed £7,211 paying on car travel and congestion zone charging.

No wonder he has supported cuts to fuel cost.

Julian Brazier - Canterbury

Apparently believes that complaints about train fares have not been a 'torrent' in Canterbury but does believe they should raise their game.

Interesting his transport bills; including train fare payments and travel stands from IPSA at £2,378

Roger Gale - Thanet North

Another MP who appears to be paying the Congestion Charge and billing it back to the taxpayer. Up until January 2011, it would appear he has billed the public purse a no small sum of £3,138 according to IPSA

Laura Sandys - Thanet South

Like Tracey Crouch, Laura appears to have cut the cost of her transport bill to a more fair £394.40 according to IPSA, even though her constituency in Kent is arguably the most distant from Whitehall. Her colleague in Thanet North take note.

Charlie Elphicke - Dover

Charlie has spoken eloquently about how fuel costs are too high for many of his constituencts in Dover, including how he is getting daily correspondence on the matter.

He claims that the 'the price of fuel is a disgrace.' Interesting therefore that according to IPSA he claimed £2,592, aligned primarily to his own car usage.

Damian Collins - Folkestone & Hythe

Damian replaced the former leader of the Tories, Michael Howard, who was known to enjoy the slashing of cost. He has backed the KM Commuter's Charter.

He has billed on 'travel' £2,846

Damian Green - Ashford

Despite HS1 and good train links. Mr Green has shown some respect for the public purse it would seem. Only billing £50.00 on travel costs

Hugh Robertson - Faversham & Mid Kent

A commuter champion. Another Tory who has billed £2,232 on travel expenses up until January 2011.

Helen Grant - Maidstone & Weald

A strong commuter advocate who has done a lot of work to improve rail services for local residents.

Interesting her travel bill stands at £1,215

John Stanley - Tonbridge & Malling

Like Tracey Crouch has not billed the taxpayer at all.

Michael Fallon - Sevenoaks

Michael has seemingly kept his pledge to the commuter. His travel bill comes at £180.76

Many Kent Conservative MPs are claiming for travel costs way above the average annual South Eastern train commuter

The range is also worth noting; with some MPs clearly operating on tight transport margins at below £1,000 whilst others running up signficant costs. Given MPs offices are broadly similar in terms of number of staff and requirement, and travel within constituencies required for all; the range of costs is therefore warrant of further scrutiny.

It is also not an argument of Geography - Laura Sandys MP low 'travel' costs vary with Gareth Johnson MP who bills more.

As a hard pressed commuter and car driver. Ill let the commuters of Medway, and wider Kent, decide whether this is a tad hypocritical.

If you signed up to the Kent Commuter's Charter for a fair deal for commuters perhaps not claiming off the same public large expenses on the same fuel, travel and train fares is sensible.