Eddie's got golden wings?

As the MP expenses scandal rumbles on at Westminster, it has been revealed that South Belfast's only MP is the third highest expense claimer in the north.

The DUP’s Andrew Charles, the Scourge of UK Conservatives and Unionists on Slugger O'Toole, is apparently a bit of a multi-jobber himself; acting on behalf of the NI Residents Coalition (Stranmillis Battalion), he has now turned his fire on South Belfast’s "only" (no, I didn’t understand either why "only") MP.

Roared Andrew:

"The people of South Belfast have a right to ask our MP to stand over these expenses. How can he be the third most expensive MP in NI, and still practice as a part–time GP according to his register of Member’s interests?”

Dr McDonnell ironically employs the standard DUP defence in such matters…
"Yeah, well, so? Look at themmuns", but it was this little further titbit which interested me:

He also claimed £9,310 for regular journeys between his home, constituency and Westminster and £320 for family travel costs. He claimed no London supplement.

A glimpse at the Doc’s voting record during this session of parliament reveals a less than stellar performance, he’s voted in 23% of the total possible divisions since 2005**- in the expenses period in question (April 1 2007-March 31 2008) he was present on 22 days on which a vote was taken.

But his party colleague Eddie McGrady’s overall voting attendance is even worse- since the last general election he’s attended only 17% of the total votes and in the expenses period in question, he was present on just 4 more days than Dr McD, 26. Yet his travel expenses rolled in at 16246 GBP, almost 75% more than McDonnell’s...how on earth did that happen?!

A further breakdown delivers a difference in airfares of 9839 (for McGrady)- 6373 (McDonnell), still a difference of 54%.

I know "voting record" is not necessarily the same as attendance record, but for the life of me I can’t see Eddie being at parliament on non-voting days approximately 50%more of the time than Dr Alastair*.

Any other suggestions for the discrepancy?



*Neither claims second-home allowance.
**Source: They Work for You.