Absolute nonsense.

I use both first and standard classes to travel to London for business and my preference these days is for standard class.

If he can plan that far ahead, then he can take advantage of lower cost standard class tickets. Comparing the cost with same-day purchases is disingenuous to say the least. Even though it's within the rules, it's still a waste of public money. There's a question of the right thing to do because it's within the rules (let the IPSA be the judge), or simply the right thing to do full stop (let the public be the judge).

The wifi connection on Virgin Trains first class is virtually unusable. I resort to using my own mobile connection, which is much more reliable and is available in standard class, obviously.

I find that the cutlery littering the table in first class actually makes it harder to work, as there's no space for the laptop. The pointless table lamp takes up space, too.

I always manage to book a seat with a table, so the claim of securing guaranteed space to work isn't valid.

Accepted, a first class ticket booked in advance is cheaper than a standard class ticket bought immediately before travel. But it would appear that booking a standard class ticket in advance is cheaper too.

Of course they have to travel and they should get reasonable expenses for doing so, but if standard class is good enough for the majority of commuters, it should be good enough for MPs too, even if that does affect their internet connection and ability to tweet. A first class ticket should be an upgrade paid for from their own pocket.

I would assume that standard fares booked in advance are much cheaper than first class fares. I have never found it a problem to work in standard on trains from Crewe or B'ham. The wifi always works for me. If it doesn't use an iPad! Should Mr K play the confidentiality card re parliamentary business please never do such work in a public place.

Is it me or does the Shropshire Star apear to be turning into a cheer leader for the local Tories? If an MP who is a Secretary of State can travel in standard class then so can Daniel Kawczynski.

72 Journeys to London in a parliamentary year of less than 36 weeks? That almost daily commuting. Are we supporting a house in London as well? I make that two nights a week in London if he has business in Shrewsbury one mid week day a week. What's going on here?

If he can advance book a first class, then he can advance book a second class.

The chancellor only pays second class so if it's good for Osborne its good for DK.

Or does he get a special allowance for long legs?

Whilst it is a shame that there is no evidence of any standard class travel being used by my MP I am very comfortable with an average fare of £54 to get to London. This is less than the standard fare and represents him achieving a saving for the taxpayer as well as a benefit for himself just by using his brain. I used to travel to London on business regularly, the time on a train can be put to very good use for paperwork/reading with no telephone interruptions. Travelling first class facilitates this with larger tables and proper business lounges to use, as well as complimentary refreshments which I assume saves him claiming meal expenses. I cant see there is really any story here to report...MP's have to travel, travel costs money!

Absolutely staggered by this comment from the Star. People want to know where their money is being spent and this was good work from the anti-cuts group. Well done to them.

As for Kawczynski, he should be ashamed of himself. Did he think we'd never find out about it? He cannot justify travelling in first class for every one of his journeys. Whilst they're forcing cuts on us, they still live in their ivory towers.

We all KNOW that the VAST MAJORITY of M P's are pure as the driven snow and TOTALLY incapable of the smallest misdemeanour/misdeed. SO WHY IS IT THAT SO MANY OF THEM SEEM TO HIT THE HEADLINES ALL DAY,EVERY DAY ? The "miscreants ALWAYS have a "plausible" explanation for their "alleged" misdeeds and in the end one or two of them end up in gaol but by now I suggest Joe Public is so used to these "SCANDALS", TRUE OR FALSE, that he has become brainwashed to the scenario and accepts that like The Poor are always with us, then so are 650 M P's all going about their busy, ?important" ? little lives, looking after the interests of their Constituents AND their own personal interests.

It would be interesting to know which interest has the priority with some of them.

It is comforting to note that this vast area of "notoriety stretches from the Highest to the Very Lowest Ranks of Parliament e.g. The Chancellor of the Exchequer right down to the lowliest Back- Bencher - the M P for Shrewsbury , both of whom currently in "The Limelight".

Again this just demonstrates how the Tories (and politicians of all political persuasion) regard themselves as more significant than the rest of us. There is no justification for using tax-payers' money to finance (advanced) first-class travel, regardless of whether it is found to be cheaper than a 'standard' fare paid on the day. Before the arrival of email/internet, work had to be arranged around the limitations of the 'non-electronic age'. Additionally, I travel to London occasionally in my work for a charity and on no occasion would I travel in any other class than 'standard' class which is perfectly acceptable and just as safe in terms of privacy. My work also involves highly-sensitive patient information and so am just sensibly careful and cautious about what paperwork I have on the table.

The majority of politicians have no grasp of the 'real world' beyond the comfort of Westminster and their secure homes (in many cases both in London and in the shires!). If Mr Kawczynski wishes to be seen as a man of the people, he should live and work like one - many commuters I see are also able to work securely and comfortably in 'standard' class with equally important work. We must stop pandering to the privileged, be they Tories, Labour, Lib Dems or whomever.

Instead of criticising the truth, the Star need to get THEIR facts right first. If he can book a ticket in advance, he can book standard. Kawczynski is just using a loophole and the Star should not be backing him.

Let's face it, Star. You've got it wrong. You only need to look at the comments on this article. Talk about shooting yourselves in the foot. You should apologise.

Pleb class is obviously beneath Danny K, it was only last week he was defending Mitchell in the Plebgate affair.

As stated Standard class is cheaper if booked in advanced, just like 1st class rather than pay on the day!

As for the Shropshire Star now flying the Banner for the Tories, i am so glad i no longer purchase the paper edition, local papers should not lean left or right in Policital bias.

@ Silver Bucks. Soooo right.

The neighbouring MP, Owen Paterson, who is also Secretary of State for the environment, and arguably has more work to do than big dan, always travels Standard Class.

If the Environment Secretary is able to look after the taxpayer funding why can't DK?

Interesting to speculate how the Star would report this if the MP was anything other tan a Tory.

This Star comment might have benefitted from finding out how much more going first class rather than standard class cost - rather than accepting DKs explanation that he had 'important' work to do

Of course, as was pointed out in 'Yes, Prime Minister' ... if ministers had to suffer Second Class, and discover just how bad can be, they may actually do something about it.

Here's a novel idea, give the MP's the fare for an advanced standard fare, if they decide to upgrade they do it at their own expense, it's hardly rocket science.