When they are candidates to become the local Member of Parliament for a constituency, they present themselves as people of the highest integrity and they swear that their sole aim is to improve the living standards of their electorate. They promise the world will change !!!
What then happened in Britain is not really so exceptional in this world. The electorate suddenly discovered that MPs were voting themselves higher salaries and higher guaranteed pensions. This was after having set up rules (not laws) covering what expenses could be claimed by MPs.
The next discovery for electors was that questionable expense claims had been made and paid. Really, had no one ever queried anything ?
The next discovery for electors was that questionable expense claims had been made and paid. Really, had no one ever queried anything ?
So much so for their pious election promises !!! Their greed is now there for all to see on the internet. Not just a few MPs but more than 600 of them. The hapless Speaker of the House of Commons was forced to resign and was kicked upstairs (in accordance with tradition) to the House of Lords where he has become known as Lord Martin of Springburn.
The basic rule about expenses is that they should be reimbursed, but the claimant should not make a profit. This is the normal rule in the business world !
This whole sorry mess in fact, reflects badly on ALL politicians, who are ALL being tarred with the same brush, even those who have not lined their pockets like little thieves.
This is the last straw for the old Socialists and for the New Labour Party, who are all reeling, but in particular for Gordon Brown. He no longer knows where, or to whom, to turn to next.
Tony Blair, on the other hand got out in time, but has other skeletons in his private cupboard !
Gordon Brown ordered an audit of the situation and this was organised by Sir Thomas Clegg. Following the revelations in his report, Gordon Brown wants all MPs to repay unjustified expenses !
He has, however, been met with a blunt refusal from a certain number of MPs who plead that the "House Rules" (not the law which governs electors) on expenses were not clear. It is therefore not their fault !!! A certain number of MPs no longer care anyway; they already know they will not be re-elected at the next General Election.
He has, however, been met with a blunt refusal from a certain number of MPs who plead that the "House Rules" (not the law which governs electors) on expenses were not clear. It is therefore not their fault !!! A certain number of MPs no longer care anyway; they already know they will not be re-elected at the next General Election.
Simply said Tax payers and Non-tax payers on the breadline all think the MPs involved are thieves. MPs pontificate to get themselves elected but do not really understand the difference between right and wrong !
The basic rule about expenses is that they should be reimbursed, but the claimant should not make a profit. This is the normal rule in the business world !
This whole sorry mess in fact, reflects badly on ALL politicians, who are ALL being tarred with the same brush, even those who have not lined their pockets like little thieves.
This is the last straw for the old Socialists and for the New Labour Party, who are all reeling, but in particular for Gordon Brown. He no longer knows where, or to whom, to turn to next.
Tony Blair, on the other hand got out in time, but has other skeletons in his private cupboard !
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