MP's tax disc error

Deborah Linton

April 09, 2009

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John Leech MP

TOP MP John Leech, who speaks on transport issues in parliament, has had to take his car off the road after being caught with an out-of-date tax disc.

The Manchester Withington politician was spotted driving his blue Mini Cooper in his constituency with a disc that expired last month.

It is illegal to drive without a valid tax disc.

The MP, who is the Liberal Democrats' spokesman on transport, was snapped as he parked up outside his constituency office last week.

He has put it down to an 'oversight' and says the first he knew that the tax had expired was when he was contacted by his press officer yesterday. Mr Leech told the MEN he had since parked his car on private land until he renews the duty.

He added that he never received the reminder letter usually sent by the DVLA to motorists when a vehicle's tax is up for renewal.

The politician, who will have to rely on public transport to do his constituency work while the matter is resolved, said: "I wasn't aware it was out of date because I hadn't had a reminder.

"I think it's probably fair to say that's what normally alerts people that their disc is about to expire.

"I've taken my car off the road and I'm in the process of renewing my tax. Unfortunately the systems in place are not very helpful and I've spent a lot of time on an automated telephone system.

"Clearly I don't have a valid tax disc and that is ultimately my fault but I do feel a bit annoyed that I've not received a reminder. I'd like to think people recognise I'm not just stupid enough not to renew my car tax."

Mr Leech said he was finding the renewal system `a complete nightmare' and was being delayed because his car log book is in London and he is waiting for new insurance documents to arrive.

He said he believed the reminder letter may have got lost in the post and added: "I will be making a serious complaint to the DVLA and the Royal Mail because it's completely unacceptable. I can't do my job if I can't get around to see people."

A spokesman for the DVLA declined to comment on the case.

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MancunianHumbersider, Radcliffe (09/04/2009 at 06:45)

Too right he should have to "rely on public transport" to get around and do his job like so many of us. Then perhaps an MP will find out what it is really like in the "real world". Not enough MPs use public transport which is the reason why when it comes to general elections or even local ones it doesn't get a sniff of any attention and instead it is all "health, education, defence, foreign affairs and immigration". Perhaps if more MPs used (or were made to use) local public transport we might see more investment. Spend less on immigration, Iraq and other military operations overseas and put that money instead into our transport system. If it wasn't for that £30bn waste of money called Trident or that pointless pandering to George Bush to find an excuse to go to war in Iraq and Afghanistan I bet we would never have been drawn into the whole TIF saga. That money for Trident would have built Metrolink and so much more.

(wetsocks), Manchester (09/04/2009 at 07:03)

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Ha Ha ha ha ha. Ha Ha Ha.

Nice to see the government getting caught in it's own trap now and then. Of course you don't get a reminder anymore. Now they have an automated system to fine you if you're 2 nanoseconds late renewing they make more money from the fines than legitimate payments. Bet he gets away with it though, unlike us proles. Or charges it to us as travel expenses.

boltongirl (09/04/2009 at 07:04)

so he didnt renew his tax disc as he didnt get a reminder. Whats wrong with his eyes he must pass his windscreen umpteen times - how can u not notice. it takes 5 mins to renew over fone or even online. why is it when MPs and the like do things like this all the excuses (its Royal Mail & DVLA's fault, an oversight) are accepted but when Joe public does it we are penalised for it. Looks like if u want to get away with anything you become an MP. Why doesnt he use public transport seeing as the government are so keen on improving it - he will renew his tax without being prompted if he had to use public transport every day.

JKW, Stockport (09/04/2009 at 07:15)

Well it would have to be someone elses fault wouldn't it, I'm sure he'd be the first to have a go at anyone else who did the same thing!

reppick, salford (09/04/2009 at 07:19)

The obvious commment is welcome to the real world Mr Leech, Joe Public goes through this kind of situation on a daily basis. One of the escape valves the public has is the right to ask his or her MP for help.

Are we to believe from the last paragraph none of his constituents have asked for his help in dealing with this kind of thing in the past.

Perhaps he should ask one of them to compose a letter of compaint on his behalf.

Mark,Radcliffe. (09/04/2009 at 07:30)

He never recieved a reminder letter from the DVLA...what a pathetic excuse...Always someone else's fault.This inaction on your part must be a real assurance for your constituents.By the way,there is a permanent reminder in big letters on the each and every tax disc,called an expiry date.

Peter M, Mcr (09/04/2009 at 08:03)

He could have looked at the tax disc to check the expiry date, he could have put a reminder in his diary. I am pleased that he will have to rely on public transport, since that's what he wants the rest of us to use.

A Bus Driver (09/04/2009 at 08:08)

So why not just go online and renew it? It takes 2-3 mins and the minute your payment has gone through then you are taxed and can legally drive your vehicle till the disc comes through.

SEAC (09/04/2009 at 08:08)

The reminder was probably sent to his tax payer funded second home !!!!!!!!! I always find a foolproof way of checking is looking at the tax disc on your car , or is that beyond an MP's intelligence ?

Salfordonian, Pendlebury (09/04/2009 at 08:36)

Mr leech - It makes no diferenc that your car is parked on private landit has to be taxed. perhaps rather than go into 'complaint' mode a concillatory approach of writing and explaining to the DVLC what went wrong may prove more fruitful. You need to have a sorn failure of which is an £80 fixed penaly!

Tubby Scruff (09/04/2009 at 08:36)

I think he'll be needing a few inches shaved off his nose, does he think everybody is a pleb..course he does, he's a poilitrickian.

Peregrine Spanswick (09/04/2009 at 08:39)

Which bright spark decided they needed to pester the DVLA for a comment, and what were they expecting to be told by the DVLA? The law is crystal clear and this guy broke the law.

Member of the public, Manchester (09/04/2009 at 08:55)

I got stopped and the police said that DVLA did not have to send reminder it was a courtesy, so put a reminder somewhere you will see it

redted, Manchester (09/04/2009 at 09:03)

Typical politician - its not my fault someone should have reminded me - and this is a guy who has been voted in presumably telling us hes arespoinsible person.
Perhaps thats what being a liberal is - not taking responsibility for yoyr own inactions!!!!!!!!

Pippa, Manchester (09/04/2009 at 09:15)

"I'd like to think people recognise I'm not just stupid enough not to renew my car tax."
Ah, the problem is that you have just given them all the evidence that they needed to prove that you are stupid enough. Typical politician trying to shift the blame for his own incompetence.

The stinking kipper, pinned under the table (09/04/2009 at 09:16)

"He added that he never received the reminder letter usually sent by the DVLA to motorists when a vehicle's tax is up for renewal."

What about personal responsibility? Does the state have to tell you when to do everything. Sorry, but he's clealry not the right stuff for high office.

AngusDangus, Salford (09/04/2009 at 09:26)

"Unfortunately the systems in place are not very helpful and I've spent a lot of time on an automated telephone system".
Now hw knows ho the rest of feel trying to telephone any government dept.He should have been clamped or towed away like they threaten on TV.

craig grice (09/04/2009 at 09:30)

It no excuse, if you have valid insurance and is so simple to do online, iggnorance is no excuse, get to the post office if ther is still one open near you, i am sure a bus will pass near by.

Jomov (09/04/2009 at 09:50)

And no doubt the costs will be claimed back as expenses...

Laura Norder, Didsbury (09/04/2009 at 09:54)

"Nice to see the government getting caught in it's own trap now and then." - (wetsocks.)

And when did this FibDem get into the government?

Try reading the whole article...

Peregrine Spanswick (09/04/2009 at 10:07)

I'm sure nobody would have thought any the less of him if he'd just said 'sorry, I forgot'.

Womble, Westhoughton (09/04/2009 at 10:22)

"Mr Leech said he was finding the renewal system `a complete nightmare'"

and this is a man deciding policy and law for our country? It doesn't bode well, does it?

It takes two minutes to renew your VED, either online or on the telephone and it is very simple. He doesn't need to wait for his insurance documents to come in the post, because the details will be on the Motor Insurers' Database.

Laura Norder, Didsbury (09/04/2009 at 10:29)

Our former MP - Keith Bradley - never had this problem!

Typical FibDem, sit on the fence and blame everyone else for their inadequacies.

Knowall, stretford end (09/04/2009 at 10:41)

Talks on Transport but appears to know nothing about it, typical of the lib dems not expert at anything, just a lot of hot air.

Only Non African from Gorton (09/04/2009 at 11:05)

So why not just go online and renew it? It takes 2-3 mins and the minute your payment has gone through then you are taxed and can legally drive your vehicle till the disc comes through.
A Bus Driver,
EXACTLY....I did it yesterday and also had to get TV license yesterday as well... C**p day

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