North Southwark & Bermondsey MP offers top 'Value for Money'

5.10.23pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 11th Jan 2005

Simon Hughes MP

A survey of the 'Is your MP good value?' of the 73 London MPs by the London Evening Standard (Tuesday 11 January) shows that four Lib Dem MPs were in the top 5 of the league table, including North Southwark & Bermondsey MP and popular Party President Simon Hughes who was fifth.

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 were in the top 15.

The league table measures 'activity levels' (questions to ministers; attendance at votes; letters to constituents) and 'value for money' which also takes into account MPs expenses. Three Conservative MPs were right at bottom of the table.

The Evening Standard commented: "On the other hand, the sterling performance of the Liberal Democrats, who took the three top places in our poll, can be a matter of pride for the party".

Simon Hughes said: "It is really pleasing to have such positive , objective endorsement from the Evening Standard. It is right in principle that, when schools, hospitals and public and private sector workers are being judged on their value for money, MPs should be subject to the same discipline."