Julie Kirkbride, the former shadow culture secretary, is facing fresh pressure after she admitted using her parliamentary allowance to help fund a £50,000 extension to her constituency flat to accommodate her brother.
Yesterday I watched her on television defend her ‘complicated’ expenses but shortly after the Daily Telegraph reported that she was granted permission by the Commons fees office to increase her mortgage by £250 a month to fund an extra room. Her defence included the fact that childcare is hard to find and the arrangement with her brother suited everyone.
As far as I can see from the rule book, MPs’ childcare is not paid for by the taxpayer but Ms Kirkbride thought nothing of the taxpayer funding the extension which housed her childminding brother. Therefore the taxpayer was, albeit indirectly, funding her childcare costs. Bent Society mentions Ms Kirkbride, just a few days ago, was vocal in her insistence that her address should not be disclosed because she was being stalked. That wasn't mentioned in her television interview.
I sympathise with women who wish to have a family and a career, but unless you’re wealthy and can afford a resident nanny or have a big circle of family and friends, it is expensive. We have to accept we can't always have the best of both worlds.
There will be those who say Westminster wants to encourage women to be MPs and that is all well and good, but choices have to be made in life. Julie Kirkbride is lucky, obviously her husband and herself are considerably more wealthy than the average family, so why did she put herself in her present position. The allowances system may be wrong but expecting the taxpayer to fund an extension is also wrong. The excuse that it was cheaper to build an extension than move house is nonsense.
"It's a job I love" was part of her defence. I think 75% of women would love a job with the salary and perks of an MP, only most women would not be stupid enough to attempt to abuse a system and that is Ms Kirkbride's failing. David Cameron really needs to bring this matter to a swift end and ask her to stand down now.
Update: I understand Ms Kirkbride is standing down at the next election. 16.04
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