ACCORDING to a recent story in the Express, Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton has one of the lowest expense budgets in Westminster. Really?
If my editor thinks that's news then he obviously hasn't stood next to him at the bar. This is the man who searches under his bed every morning to see if he's lost any sleep. Why would anyone be surprised by Sir Nick's limited expenditure?
When did you last see Nick Winterton buy a round of drinks? Come on be honest... I'm talking with cash? He once bought me a ten pence coffee out of a machine and I found out afterwards he borrowed the money off Mrs B (said he only had a thrupenny bit!)
Lady Winterton told me she gave him a new wallet last Christmas, but his jacket rejected it. He thinks e-mail was worn by Knights of the Round Table, so I know Sir Nick doesn't spend much on technology. (I bet he has a pigeon loft in his office for urgent messages.)
"I only pay my staff what is absolutely necessary," says Sir Nick. So, no little luxuries like food and shoes for them. Can you imagine the Christmas party?
"You're going to have to work , Bob Cratchit, but here's a brand new farthing for Tiny Tim."
You know when Martin Luther King Jnr said, "I have a dream?" Well I too have a dream.
I have a dream that one day I just might get a drink out of Sir Nicholas Winterton.
Without paying for it myself.
I have a dream.
- THE views on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.
