Conservative MP, Nicholas Soames, who gets £350,000 a year from his three outside jobs as well as his £65,000 as an MP has hit out at the new rules on expenses that will stop him claiming the mortgage and other expenses for his London home from the taxpayer. The new rules will mean that he can no longer claim for a second home in London and instead commute like other residents in our area. Mr Soames’ comment was: “I hope people will be happy that I’ll be significantly worse off.”

Local people have been stunned by Mr Soames’ complaints given that he already has 3 jobs on top of being an MP which together bring in more than £400,000 per year.

Commenting, local resident Paul Lucraft said: “Given that he only turns up to vote about half the time and spends a quarter of his time on his other jobs it’s hard to see why he’d need a second home. Many people around here work full time in London and manage to commute every day – and they don’t get their train fare paid by taxpayers. You’ve got to wonder what he’s whinging about? I’m sure most of us could cope on a mere £400k.”

Mr Soames has also had to repay £1,345.55 following the Legg inquiry and was one of the 19 Conservative MPs to vote last year against MPs having to declare the details of their outside earnings.

Local Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner, Serena Tierney, adds: “I welcome the changes. It’s about time that we saw some real reform of parliament. Last years expenses scandal shocked us all and I think a lot of the problems were down to some MPs just not living in the real world. There’s no reason why MPs shouldn’t live like everyone else – and this is an important step in that direction. It’s sad that my Conservative opponent can’t see that.”