Nicola Smith (June 11) claims she “didn’t get any answers” at my public meeting. She is unfair.
She asked why, even though I claimed below average expenses and still managed to deliver the best work output of any MP, my expenses were higher in one particular year.
I explained I had about £30,000 extra costs to cover staff maternity leave that year. She said I was wrong to ask in Parliament about printer cartridge usage.
I explained it is important to protect our environment from harmful waste.
She asked about my travel between my work flat and Westminster. I explained it was only a short distance which I had never claimed for.
She asked why I did not commute. I explained I often worked up to and after midnight and returned to work by 7.30am, and attended many debates, which would be impossible if I commuted.
As I explained, I’d welcome a change in the hours to have a more normal life and commute like other hard-working local people.
Bob Spink
Castle Point MP
Downer Road
Benfleet
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here