Hoban bashing, grandfathers and rural IFAs: Your reaction to the RDR Debate

Our coverage of last night’s historic Commons RDR debate triggered an avalanche of comments from our readers. Did it live up to your expectations?

Simon Kershaw

"I have never seen such a cross-party consensus on any subject, let alone in a graveyard slot. Mark Hoban should hang his head in shame. He had the brass neck to brazen out a prepared nine minute speech - exactly as he did in Westminster Hall - with absolutely no regard for what should stand as an essay in democracy at work."

Martin Bamford

"A number of the arguments so far in this debate just go to demonstrate how desperate the anti-RDR lobby have become so late in the day. To suggest the RDR will hurt small firms in rural areas who serve C1 and C2 consumers simply smacks of desperation."

Craig C

"Mr Hoban continues to perpetuate the myth that a large number of IFAs already meet the level 4 qualification requirements. This is simply not correct as the majority of those who are already qualified to level 4 (or beyond) are qualified to the previous level 4 requirements - not the more recently devised RDR level 4 requirements, and are therefore required to embark on a 'gap filling' exercise to prove competence by the end of 2012."

"Mike"

"During the debate I thought the degree of unanimity that was evident would impress upon Hoban the RDR is fundamentally flawed but when Hoban summed up it appeared to me that no amount reasoning will sway him from his conviction that RDR is right."

Alan Lakey

"Now it is going to be informative for us to see whether the FSA bends to parliaments will or whether they continue with the ill-thought out, expensive, discriminatory and vandalistic policies that have disgraced the regime since the infamous Gleneagles speech."

Alan McClean

"This was the perfect opportunity for the FSA to show that it has support for RDR. They blew it. As for Hoban: his prepared speech and refusal to answer questions or give way was insulting to the other MPs."

"Genuinely Concerned"

"I, like many others, am now becoming sick and tired of the pro-RDR supporters constant whingeing. The fact there are so many objections to the proposals in their current form proves unequivocally that some changes must be made. 80 MPs attending the debate last night is further proof the FSA must now listen, learn and make changes - before it's too late."

"Gary"

"Wow such a long debate and all Mark Hoban give is a pre-scripted speech written by the FSA what a waste of time."

Michael Fallas

"What this debate really highlighted was Mr Hoban's arrogance and refusing to answer any questions. The FSA is above and beyond Government as no one represents them in Parliament or indeed can do so. The Treasury can only ask them to do something but they are no obliged to do so."

Ken Durkin

"I have just saved one of my clients £17,000 income tax. Why on earth would the treasury want to prevent the demise of the IFA?"

"Steve"

"The debate was very constructive and the opinions expressed accurately reflected views of many IFAs. If action is not taken on qualifications and remuneration under RDR then many of us will simply be on the scrapheap and claiming benefits."

"jonnieb666"

"I though Mark Hoban was sleeping throughout this debate. It certainly looked like he turned up with his pre-prepared closing statement irrespective of what the other MP's had to say."

Meanwhile, IFAs were busy tweeting away...here are some of the best tweets:

Chris Daems: The MP in question is not speaking for me as owner of a smaller practice. How is RDR more attractive for larger IFAs? No logical argument!!

Nick Bamford: Can you get me a shirt with: "I nearly topped myself during the RDR debate".

Alistair Cunnigham: There's 100k solicitors and 128k accountants in the UK. Is 20k IFAs an adequate number?

PhilippaGee Am planning to switch to Eastenders for more realistic and lifelike viewing.

Huw Jones: This evening the ignorance of our MPs shined brightly.

Alistair Cunningham: Imagine the wisdom of a 163 old IFA! Under grandfathering rules he'd know more than Yoda!

Keith Churchouse: I have to say this is the best TV I have seen in months. Who shall we vote out first?

Martin Bamford: I don't understand this view that banks will benefit from RDR. Banks are also subject to RDR! This debate isn't really about IFAs or the RDR. It's about the FSA. The MPs want to kill a dying animal.