Tom Richardson: MPs count the cost of life in the real world

What I do not tolerate, or excuse, is those politicians who have tried to overcome these difficulties by "bullying" House of Commons staff and being disrespectful to their officials. That is inexcusable.

It's not their fault that the expenses system is so cumbersome; the blame lies with the officials who concocted this process and those politicians who brought about these changes by abusing the previous expenses procedures.

Yet two points need to be made. First, MPs are entitled to reasonable expenses and a failure to pay them promptly means there is a likelihood that Parliament will, once again, become the exclusive preserve of the rich and wealthy. Is that healthy for democracy? No, it is not. What is needed is politicians from all backgrounds with life experience rather than a House of Commons that is even more London-centric than at present.

Second, this shambles may – just – remind the politicians concerned of the difficulties that their constituents face on a daily basis. Nothing is straight-forward any more; dealing with the banks, utilities and others is, invariably, a time-consuming process. When was the last time you dialled one of these organisations and spoke, straight away, to a customer services assistant? It just doesn't happen any more. The public has learned to master self-assessment tax forms; why should MPs be a special case?

My message to those MPs left disgruntled by late payments is, therefore, a simple one: "Welcome to the real world." This is what

happens when policies become over-complicated.

But what, I hope, this muddle will do is lead to better decision-making when MPs have to set up any administrative policy in the future. Now they know the inconvenience that is caused by non-payments, they might just realise that farmers have a legitimate reason to complain about the Rural Payments Agency's continuing ineptitude, and

so forth.

HOW times change. Three years ago, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats were vociferous in their condemnation of Labour's plans to merge police forces. They even forced the then government to capitulate.

Now there is more than a distinct possibility that the coalition Government will advocate some police forces combining ranks in order to save costs. It could even happen here in Yorkshire where the four forces are already co-operating effectively, on cross-border crime and procurement issues. Yet, if this happens, will Labour – the initial policy instigator – support or oppose police mergers?

It's just one of the many policy dilemmas that the new leader will have to confront. It also explains one prominent Yorkshire backbencher's defence of the party's prolonged leadership contest this week – it avoids difficult decisions having to be taken until after this month's party conference that might have the potential to alienate the unions who remain Labour's paymasters.

WHY the fuss over there being more branches of Tesco open 24 hours a day in comparison to police stations? It's obvious. More people depend upon the former round-the-clock.

The people who complain are probably those who would speak out if a remote police station was manned, at great expense, on a 24/7 basis for "cosmetic" or PR purposes.

MUCH was made, with some justification, about the coalition's first 100 days in office and its achievements. Yet this was the reaction of one of my more politically observant neighbours in the Pudsey constituency.

"Before the election, we were inundated with material from the Conservative candidate on what he had achieved. Since he was elected, there's been nothing on what he has done for the local area."

My neighbour has a point. While many are, rightly, concerned about the bigger picture, and the need to cut the deficit, it is still the local issues that matter most of all to many voters. And wasn't this community imbalance supposed to have been addressed by David Cameron's so-called "big society"?

IF Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, wants to resign over proposed cuts to his budget, David Cameron should say "good riddance" to his one-time rival.

For, if Johnson cannot handle his budget in a responsible manner, he does not deserve to be the capital's leader. The Tories should also not let him contest a by-election so he can resume his political career as a MP.

The Mayor is being asked to make a five per cent cut to London's Crossrail scheme. Given the project's size, it should be relatively easy to achieve. And Boris should consider this: at least the capital is getting transport improvements. Yorkshire is not.

A SAD reflection on the youth of today, or just a sign of times? Walking to the station, I was stopped by a young driver of a sports car wanting directions. "My sat nav is bust, I can't read a map and it's my first day in a new job," said the whipper-snapper behind the wheel.

I patiently gave simple directions, and told the driver he was 20 minutes away from his destination. "What do you do?" I asked casually. "I'm a bank clerk," he replied. And this is someone upon whom his customers will be counting for informed financial advice.