They don't seem to understand

They here means the MPs.

According to a slightly confused Daily Mirror article today, MPs have apparently voted themselves a huge taxpayers' subsidy for the food and drink consumed by MPs at Westminster.

We know that they have one of the best equipped wine cellars in London, and dine on food that is often epicurean. The Mirror claims that they want a subsidy of 41% on all operating costs, and a control on prices to a maximum of 5% in any year. At a time when food prices are rising more rapidly than most other prices - supermarket food prices on average are more the 18% higher than a year ago, this seems further evidence of all animals being equal but some being more equal than others.

At a time when people are losing jobs and homes, and when pensioners are being pushed to the breadline as savings income collapses, this seems badly timed. When are they are being discovered and outed for receiving thousands of pounds annually to buy and equip a second home, it seems perverse to ask for further subsidy on their eating and drinking at Westminster.
At a time when we are pumping more and more into a very generous MP retirement scheme, it really does sound like greed on the part of MPs.