Actually if I'm not mistaken, the majority of MPs use first class rail travel to and from their constituencies. Some Scottish ones may use air. It's simply because it's faster and all expenses are paid by the taxpayer. However, there's currently national interest in what MPs are spending their money on - every week there seems to be a new story about misallocation of funds!
No doubt that some MPs may call for a ban on alcohol... except in first class!
Any opinions expressed are purely mine and not that of any employer, past or present.
Ameecher wrote:My MP doesn't travel by 1st class but there we go. I have a good MP.
Ah - I was just assuming that given the choice between Standard class at £0, and First class at £0, most would travel First. (Source): "There is no limit on travel expenses. MPs can claim business-class air fares and first-class rail travel for parliamentary business within the UK and up to three visits a year to European institutions, as well as up to 15 return journeys a year for spouses or children."
Any opinions expressed are purely mine and not that of any employer, past or present.
As far as I'm aware most MPs travel in first. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I think a lot of people forget that traveling away from your family every week for work is bad enough, and also you don't want to travel in standard where some pleb might abuse you for something that your party did in government etc. I agree that MPs probably do spend too much, but its preferable that they travel by train than individually go in their own cars. Not least because it keeps them thinking about railway policy.
As for alcohol on trains, I am totally against banning it. I for one do not want to loose the ability to have a can of beer on the way back from something stressful, like a conference or a trip to the archives. I don't see why we should loose that ability thanks to a minority. Same for traveling to sporting events, and I would admit I've probably drank too much then too. I travel Edinburgh-London on Fridays quite a lot and have experienced the oil rig workers, who it is true probably drink too much, but I've never seen anyone be particularly disruptive on a train after drinking a lot. I really don't see why we should loose what is a useful source of income for TOCs and why train should loose one of its obvious advantages over car or bus travel (most coach operators ban alcohol).
I'm suprised that no one has mentioned that a license isn't needed to sell alcohol on a train for some reason which is what makes Virgin's announcement that they have a fully licensed shop a bit ridiculous considering they actually have no license for the sale of alcohol.
- I was just assuming that given the choice between Standard class at £0, and First class at £0, most would travel First. (Source): "There is no limit on travel expenses. MPs can claim business-class air fares and first-class rail travel for parliamentary business within the UK and up to three visits a year to European institutions, as well as up to 15 return journeys a year for spouses or children."
