Local MPs Offer Top 'Value for Money'

4.34.10pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Jan 2005

A survey of the 'value for money' of 73 London MPs by the Evening standard (11 January) shows that three lib Dem MPs topped the league table, including Twickenham MP Vincent Cable who was second. He was one of eight MPs to get a five star rating: four Lib Dems and four Labour (no Conservatives). All London Liberal Democrat MPs (including Richmond's Jenny Tonge) were in the top 15.

The league table measures 'activity levels' (questions to ministers; attendance at votes; letters to constituents) on which Vincent Cable was second of the 73 MPs and Jenny Tonge 8th, and 'value for money' which also takes into account MPs expenses. Top MP for both was Paul Burstow, Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton; three Conservative MPs were bottom of the table.

The Evening Standard commented: "remarkably, three hard working Liberal Democrats top the table even though the party holds only seven seats in London, this can be a matter of pride for the party".

Vincent Cable said: "it is gratifying to have such a positive and objective endorsement. It is right in principle that, when schools, hospitals, private sector managers and workers are being judged on their value for money, MPs should be subject to the same discipline. As with all league tables it is possible to quibble with the measurements; but independent bodies like the Hansard Society have approved the ratings".