Matthew Lobley for North East Leeds

After all the controversy with MP's expenses including those close to home from our current Labour MP, Matthew Lobley the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Leeds North East is proposing to make clear from the outset what he will do to clean things up. Matthew has been a Leeds City Councillor for over 6 years during which time he has not claimed any expenses. "This must never happen again," said Matthew, "The MP's Green Book on expenses is very clear and I think some of the statements being made that MPs are acting within the spirit of the rules are misleading to say the least." Matthew pledges that if he is elected to be your MP for the next parliament he will:

Not employ family members on expenses
Publish on this website his expense claims as soon as they are submitted for all to see
Claim only the basic costs of staying overnight in London i.e. rent, Council Tax, gas, electricity and water
Pay his weekly shopping bill from his salary, not an expense account
Declare his home in Leeds as his primary residence and not to 'flip'

Ted Stafford of North East Leeds Conservatives stated "It's reassuring that Matthew is making clear pledges early on. He has been a Leeds City Councillor now for 6 years during which time he has proven himself to be a man who gets things done."

Councillors in Leeds get paid a salary referred to as an 'Allowance'. Unlike MPs' allowances, this allowance is taxed exactly the same way salaries are. Last year Matthew earned £23,184.60 from Leeds City Council.

A public meeting is scheduled 7pm Friday 3rd July at Lidgett Park Methodist with Matthew Lobley, Labour MP Fabian Hamilton and the Liberal Democrat candidate for Leeds North East to debate parliamentary reform.