Maggie's nose in the trough

[jake-the-peg]

Margaret Thatcher has claimed over Half a million pounds of taxpayers money in the last 5 years for public engagements and answering letters.

Only she doesn't after having been advised not to.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-15486792

Does this represent good value for money for us taxpayers?

[Ann]

OOOOO thats a bit naughty!!

[mightyWBA]

Hundred grand a year for our finest Prime Minister since Churchill is a bargain.

That work shy Argie in Manchester earns that in 3 days..Who won the bloody Falklands war anyway???

I'm off to bed...Quickly :-S

[andy-hughes]

Having read the background, it appears that Lady Thatcher is perfectly within her rights to claim this money - as are Messrs. Blair and Major.

So sidestepping the knee-jerk reaction that the initial premise invites, I would take strong issue with the payment being set up in the first place, and claimed by those who have far less need of it that the taxpayers who fund it.

If ex-Prime Mininsters choose to carry on attending functions and corresponding in the basis of a role they used to perform, but no longer do so, then that should be at their own expense - if they do not wish to perform those functions free of charge, I am sure the country can hobble on without them so doing.

[joggerjayne]

but tony blair has earned more since leaving office than any other pm in history ...

more in (3 years?) than maggie has earned in (20years?)

but then, he's a socialist, and the trots are all loaded.

[Gromit]

JJ

The BBC news report is what they are continuing to cost us taxpayers. Blair's earnings for private work is fine, it does not cost you or me a penny. But Thatcher, Major and Blair claiming £100,000+ for very little work is ascandal.

[cockneygirl]

It wasn't so long ago that Mrs Thatchers daughter said on the one show"she doesn't know what day it is"

[cockneygirl]

I agree, but if she doesn't know what day it is whose claiming the money?

[cockneygirl]

LOL

[cockneygirl]

No, but this is the first time I've plucked up the courage to write anything

[cockneygirl]

These politicians really rile me the way they help themselves to our money

[cockneygirl]

I left London a long time ago, couldn't get anywhere decent to live at the time. I came from South East, Camberwell-Elephant and castle, I miss the cockneys

[cockneygirl]

Guy Fawkes didn't do a good enough job

[craft1948]

Wonderful woman.................worth every penny.