08-12-2013, 12:11 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-12-2013, 03:39 PM by David Guyatt.)
The harsh life of being an MP
On being elected to Parliament, any self respecting new MP faces some harsh realities. The new member must, firstly buy his work clothes (which are NOT tax deductible - amazing isn't it - quite senseless really), in order to prepare himself for the hazard duties of House life.
This is no mean task. The usual kit consists of the following:
Hand made suits from a bespoke Saville Row tailor - £4000 each and a minimum of four suits. Plus weekend shooting and country walking attire - £3000 each. Evening dress, minimum of 2 £8000. Morning suit £4000. Total £34,000.
Hand made shirts from Jermyn Street shirt makers and lifters to the aristocracy - £400 each (at the bottom end) and a minimum of a dozen - various colours. Total £4,800.
Church's shoes, at £500 each and a minimum of 5 pairs - total £2,500.
Silk ties £175 each and a minimum of 200 (fort all occasions) in various shades of "Party" colours - total £35,000
Gentleman's accessories: 1 everyday Longines wrist watch £750.00, I Hublot's dress watch (for State opening/Queen's speech) £95,000, plus 1 Audemars Piquet (for whoring and "boying") £40,000. Gold cufflinks minimum 3 pairs £2000 each. Tie stud (diamond) £4,500. Dress shirt studs set of 4 £325. Mountblanc fountain pen £450.00 Grand total £148,000.
In addition we need to include an annual cost of entertaining, vital sustenance (drinks at bar) and condom's - estimated £17,500. Or £7950 if condoms are excluded (they're not always claimable on expenses).
Sundries: Winter skiing holidays in Gstaad, Summer holidays in Antigua, Christmas in Paris, a "half-gun" on Grouse moor in Scotland, pox clinic, liver clinic, weight loss clinic, golf club fees, Elm Guest House day & night pass, men's barber, grooming & specialist haircuts, Elocution and Swahili classes, specialist "sports" creams etc etc. £72,000
The grand total is vast!
And voters bitch and complain that these selfless Parliamentarians are only "in it" to find relaxing "hobby" corporate jobs, and wanting the money, money, money and prestige, prestige, prestige!
Honestly...
Nothing could be closer to the truth.
On being elected to Parliament, any self respecting new MP faces some harsh realities. The new member must, firstly buy his work clothes (which are NOT tax deductible - amazing isn't it - quite senseless really), in order to prepare himself for the hazard duties of House life.
This is no mean task. The usual kit consists of the following:
Hand made suits from a bespoke Saville Row tailor - £4000 each and a minimum of four suits. Plus weekend shooting and country walking attire - £3000 each. Evening dress, minimum of 2 £8000. Morning suit £4000. Total £34,000.
Hand made shirts from Jermyn Street shirt makers and lifters to the aristocracy - £400 each (at the bottom end) and a minimum of a dozen - various colours. Total £4,800.
Church's shoes, at £500 each and a minimum of 5 pairs - total £2,500.
Silk ties £175 each and a minimum of 200 (fort all occasions) in various shades of "Party" colours - total £35,000
Gentleman's accessories: 1 everyday Longines wrist watch £750.00, I Hublot's dress watch (for State opening/Queen's speech) £95,000, plus 1 Audemars Piquet (for whoring and "boying") £40,000. Gold cufflinks minimum 3 pairs £2000 each. Tie stud (diamond) £4,500. Dress shirt studs set of 4 £325. Mountblanc fountain pen £450.00 Grand total £148,000.
In addition we need to include an annual cost of entertaining, vital sustenance (drinks at bar) and condom's - estimated £17,500. Or £7950 if condoms are excluded (they're not always claimable on expenses).
Sundries: Winter skiing holidays in Gstaad, Summer holidays in Antigua, Christmas in Paris, a "half-gun" on Grouse moor in Scotland, pox clinic, liver clinic, weight loss clinic, golf club fees, Elm Guest House day & night pass, men's barber, grooming & specialist haircuts, Elocution and Swahili classes, specialist "sports" creams etc etc. £72,000
The grand total is vast!
And voters bitch and complain that these selfless Parliamentarians are only "in it" to find relaxing "hobby" corporate jobs, and wanting the money, money, money and prestige, prestige, prestige!
Honestly...
Nothing could be closer to the truth.
The shadow is a moral problem that challenges the whole ego-personality, for no one can become conscious of the shadow without considerable moral effort. To become conscious of it involves recognizing the dark aspects of the personality as present and real. This act is the essential condition for any kind of self-knowledge.
Carl Jung - Aion (1951). CW 9, Part II: P.14