Hull's Karl Turner defends MPs' right to first-class train travel after George Osborne row
Hull MP Karl Turner has defended the use of first-class train tickets by politicians in the wake of a row involving Chancellor George Osborne.
Mr Osborne was forced to pay £190 for an upgrade after sitting in first class on a train to London with a standard-class ticket.
It then emerged more than a quarter of MPs had charged first-class rail travel to the taxpayer over the past year.
But the Hull East MP defended his colleagues, arguing MPs "are allowed to travel first-class but rarely do".
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The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which has regulated MPs' expenses since the 2009 scandal, has curbed first-class travel.
Ipsa, however, still permits MPs to buy first-class tickets when they are cheaper than a standard open ticket.
Mr Turner tweeted: "On occasion it is actually cheaper to purchase first-class for particular journey than standard. Strange but true."
In another tweet, he said: "MPs are nervous about expenses claims. Understandable given MP expenses scandal."
Comments
by John_Daniels
Monday, October 29 2012, 4:07PM
“Elitism!”
by Phil_melton
Friday, October 26 2012, 7:47PM
“Please get off Georges Rock. and star smoking something more sinister.”
by albaz
Friday, October 26 2012, 7:41PM
“Why is the main point being missed by so many people regarding Osborne and his travel arrangements? He was in FIRST class with a non first class ticket. The likes of Osborne think they can get away with stunts like this and other con-trick expenses fiddling.”
by AstynomiaKats
Friday, October 26 2012, 7:09PM
“As long as they choose the cheapest ticket they can go cattle class. Since they are penalising the poor, vulnerable and sick, they can walk for all the respect I have left for them.”
by Ambertigerfan
Friday, October 26 2012, 4:11AM
“Clearly the politicians think they are more equal than the taxpayer that subsidizes them!
Politicians should tow the austerity line (like the masses) and use regular class tickets! Result: cost saving to the taxpayer.
Who do they think is their paymaster?
Turner, Osborne et al = HYPOCRITES!”
by ispy3
Friday, October 26 2012, 2:25AM
“Yes this is the bloke, smaller than
His Plasma tv and wanted to inform
train staff that after an illustrious
career in the secondhand furniture
trade he then tries to be a solicitor
then he wanted a daft wig, but
that wasn't paying enough for a
Timex never mind a Rolex or
Gucci! He's not keen on the
Socialism stuff (Rolex wearers
never could be ) so get
Pop in on local politics
and you then have a duo
that are being well paid out
of the public purse.
I think bro is a solicitor
but bet he don't live on
Sutton Park tho!”
by steveodore
Friday, October 26 2012, 1:36AM
“So Turnip defends MP's rights to travel 1st class. To quote Mandy Rice-Davies " he would, wouldn't he".
Another socialist clown, they really do treat the public with utter contempt.”
by Worker111
Thursday, October 25 2012, 11:29PM
“Aren't the Turner clan all supposed to be socialists, where we are all equal.
Or are some more equal than others.
"Somehow it seemed as though the farm had grown richer without making the animals themselves any richer — except, of course, for the pigs and the dogs"
"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which"
Eric Blair's words ahve never rung more true”
by CarmellaBrown
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:52PM
“first class is a throw back to victorian days where everyone was treated as dirty”
by killer127
Thursday, October 25 2012, 9:47PM
“Deanog734, I dont know if you are aware of it but train travel is rather expensive, and probably in most cases a lot more expensive than a tank of fuel, I suspect a chauffeur driven would be cheaper, but then they wouldn't be able to claim as much money back in expenses. A return ticket to London Kings Cross tomorrow is £324 per person, add in the cost of his flunkies and its upwards of a thousand pounds, a chauffeur and driver can be hired for a lot less, and you pay the same price irrespective of the number of passengers.”