Vote rethink in Selly Oak over expenses scandal
May 27 2009 by Jasbir Authi, Birmingham Mail
John Lyons, a 77-year-old retired delivery driver, said: “They should be punished if they have broken the law. I wouldn’t know who I would vote for this time around.”
Cathleen Peggy, a retired inspection viewer, aged 84, said: “People in their position are getting a good wage and they have taken advantage.
“All parties seem to be the same but I do still have faith in my local MP.”
Barbara Simms, a 55-year-old nurse, said: “I don’t vote but I do think they are entitled to some expenses.
“But if they have exploited it, it isn’t good.”
Lillian Stokes, a 46-year-old care home assistant, said: “It’s outrageous, they tell us not to fiddle but they are at it.
“I would not vote.”
Sue Duffy, a Birmingham University worker, aged 51, said: “MPs are paid enough and they still fiddle. Why can’t they live in a hostel at the House of Commons?”
Jean Lillington, a 74-year-old housing worker, said: “In industry you can be sacked immediately for stealing. I would never vote Labour again.”
Christine Bird, a retired buyer, aged 70, said: “I’m disgusted. I wouldn’t vote Labour again.”
Madeline Hayfield, a former credit control worker, aged 63, said: “If I worked for a company and stole off them, I would be prosecuted. I used to vote Labour but now I’m thinking Lib Dem.”
George Salama, a retired pest control officer, aged 67, said: “It’s unacceptable. I would never vote Labour again after this scandal.”
Carl Rawcliffe, a retired architect aged 74, said: “I would vote Conservative at the next election and vote out Lynne Jones.”
Miroslaw Wyszynski, a professor of mechanical engineering at Birmingham University, said: “The MPs are being hounded. They have overdone it but the rules are wrong.
“I would vote for an independent candidate who follows the constituents, not the party.”
Selva Moka, a shop worker, aged 35, said: “On my self-employed return, the tax office said they were looking into my petrol claims, claiming they were too high.
“But look at the MPs. I would still vote Labour because I don’t know who else.”
Carolyn Halliday, a school lunch supervisor, aged 64, said: “Like everyone else, I’m disgusted.
“But if it was all cleaned up, I would still vote for my local MP.”
Jackie Cuzick, a 50-year-old domestic worker, said: “I would vote Labour again if they sorted this mess out. I like Lynne Jones because she saved Tiverton Road School from closing.”
Suresh Parmar, a shoe repairer aged 53, said: “I don’t know who to vote for because you can’t trust anyone.”
Lambert Clifford, who is 54 and unemployed, said: “It’s beyond my comprehension. I mean dog food, swimming pools and moats?
“I am going to vote to get rid of Labour.”
Fred Steer, a 87-year-old former sheet metal worker, said: “They should get rid the lot of them. I have always voted Labour, but it makes me wonder.”
Priya Patel, a 23-year-old classroom assistant, said: “If anyone of us did it we would have been thrown in prison. I’m not sure who I would vote for.”
Donya Hemati, a 21-year-old restaurant worker, said: “Lynne Jones is very good and I would still vote for her.”
Meena Patel, a shop worker, aged 47, said: “It makes you sick. I mean 95p for Fairy Liquid. I’m losing my confidence completely in voting. Where can you find honesty?”
