This website has been set up to bring together ordinary people who are outraged at Eleanor Laing's conduct in relation to her expenses and avoidance of capital gains tax, all at the expense of the tax-payer. She has also helped resist measures that would have made MPs accountable for their expenses.
Ms Laing has consistently claimed almost her entire second homes allowance even though she lives within spitting distance of London, less than an hour from Westminster.
While thousands of her constituents commute to work daily, she will have nothing less than a luxury apartment as her 'second home' funded at tax-payers' expense - although she steadfastly refuses to give back any share of the profits she makes at public expense.
In July 2008, she helped vote down measures that would have subjected MPs' expenses to a robust external audit. She had something to hide and now we know why!
Recent disclosures show that she made a profit of at least £1 million on her second home, while avoiding a £180,00 capital gains tax bill by claiming it was her primary home.
Injustice
On her doorstep in Debden people are struggling with unemployment and struggling just to get council housing, while she has earned a tax-free fortune with the help of her enormous allowances.
Eleanor Laing has made all sorts of excuses, including saying that as a working mother she needed a second home. There are single mothers in her constituency who find it hard to cope with day-to-day existence. There are thousands of commuters in her constituency who have to make the daily journey into London, without travel expenses or a furnished apartment in the centre of the city. Meanwhile, the person who is supposed to represent them lives in luxury apartments at their expense.
Her deeply unethical behaviour would not be allowed anywhere but in parliament. And perhaps that is why she is in politics. She got a safe seat and she's milking it financially.
What others say ...
The Daily Telegraph noted that it is 'the biggest case of non-payment of capital gains tax so far uncovered in The Daily Telegraph’s 23-day investigation into MPs’ expenses and the first to involve a member of David Cameron’s front bench team'
Conservative leader David Cameron said that Eleanor Laing must back the money she owes in capital gains tax, which is an indication that he believes what she has done is wrong. He said: 'I don't think it is right to get money from the taxpayer for what you nominate as a second home and then to sell it and not pay capital gains tax. I put a stop to that immediately, even before the House of Commons, with my MPs. That applies for the future. For the past we go through the scrutiny panel and if people have got it wrong then money will have to be paid back.'
Asked if Ms Laing would follow Andrew MacKay in being forced out over expense claims, he said: 'Where appropriate, others will be removed from the front bench if they do not behave appropriately. I want to very tough, but I also want to be consistent and fair.'
Former independent MP Martin Bell, who defeated disgraced MP Neil Hamilton in 1997, wrote to the Sack Laing Campaign in support of our objective to remove her from office. He said: '
We are clearly living in the most extraordinary times. Eleanor Laing's expense claims are by no means the most outrageous that have come to light, but they are nonetheless unacceptable. I do not doubt that she has been a good constituency MP, but I wonder if that is enough. My own view, as one who takes an interest in these things, is that her constituents are entitled to a better explanation. Or else if she seeks re-election they might consider finding someone in the local community to stand against her as an Independent. I call this the “local hero” model, promoting honest politics. The best example is Dr Richard Taylor MP who replaced an unpopular MP and is serving the people of Kidderminster.'
Ann Haigh, Buckhurst Hill district councillor and Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate, called for Eleanor Laing to step down. She said: 'Many residents, who themselves work long hours but still commute daily into London, are already questioning the need for our MP to have a second home. If these new revelations are found to be correct, Eleanor Laing should do three things; repay the money straight away, apologise to her constituents and step down, letting the residents of Epping Forest elect an MP they deserve.'
Tony Clements, Epping Forest Labour prospective parliamentary candidate, said: 'It’s clear now why she didn’t want greater scrutiny of her expenses. After this weekend’s allegations it is hard not to conclude that she is playing the system and using her position for her own personal gain. Two things mark out Eleanor Laing’s case: First, the figures involved. These are the largest sums I’ve heard in any of the expenses scandals. Second, Eleanor Laing has shown a total lack of remorse and accountability. She seems to be the only one who thinks these actions are acceptable. Even her own party leader has demanded she pays the money back. While other MPs have held public meetings to explain their case, or admitted the damage their claims have done to public confidence, Ms Laing seems entirely unrepentant. Eleanor Laing’s story is inconsistent and confused - the explanation so far stinks. She needs to call a public meeting in the constituency and explain her actions immediately.'
