A Tory MP is living on a boat to avoid paying an “obscene” sum for living in London while working at Parliament.
Johnny Mercer, the Plymouth Moor View MP, has decided to moor his boat in Canada water rather than rent a flat in the capital.
The MP said: “I just thought it was an obscene amount of money for two or three nights a week and I wasn’t prepared to spend that.”
He will now claim just £2,400 a year in expenses for accommodation – far less than the £23,000 politicians with children are entitled to.
Mr Mercer became an MP in 2015 after previously serving in Afghanistan as a captain for the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
The small Motor Cruiser was bought with his Army retirement money. He said: “I looked into how much it was going to be to bring my boat up. It was pretty cheap, around £1,200 for six months. I thought that would save a bit of money on expenses.”
The boat is basic with no shower and limited cooking options. The MP, who now sleeps in his old Army sleeping bag, said the choice has raised eyebrows among his parliamentary peers.
“Fundamentally I enjoy it. I know it’s strange but I love going back in the evening when it’s freezing cold and you have to put the stove on.”
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