Star comment: MPs need to be whiter than white
In case you thought that after the MPs’ expenses scandal it was all sackcloth and ashes and that MPs had forever learnt their lesson, you are underestimating the deviousness and weaselly ways of a minority of politicians in the House of Commons when it comes to gaining personal advantage.
Just like super rich tax dodgers, they can spot a loophole from a mile off and then dive in to it.
Their wheeze is to rent out their taxpayer-funded homes to one another, piling up income on income and building up property nest eggs.
That is the suspicion. What the extent of this sharp practice is we do not know and once again their cover-up machine is attempting to swing into operation.
The odious Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow has invoked “security reasons” to prevent disclosure of official documents which show the identity of MPs’ landlords. It is a move which, if upheld, would break the paper trail leading to identification of the MPs involved.
It is a lame justification for hiding a matter of intense public interest involving public figures elected by public votes and funded by public money.
Mr Bercow is cravenly protecting the Westminster club rather than doing the right thing. Presumably if he cannot stop disclosure on security reasons his next gambit will be to invoke data protection and as a last resort, health and safety.
It is worth noting that none of the Shropshire MPs are said to be involved in these stinking arrangements and it is also worth pointing out this has blown up at a time when so many MPs are working hard trying to restore the tarnished collective reputation of the members of the House.
But the public are watching like never before. Anything less than squeaky clean is not good enough.
Comments for: "Star comment: MPs need to be whiter than white"
PNG
And the writer can put their hand on their heart and state they have never tried to fiddle their expenses?
I don't really think we need to be taking lectures in standards from Journalists!
John Howard
Journalists don't claim to represent the people, stand for election or look for our trust to run the country. The more I learn about our politicians and their evil ways I feel less and less likely to bother to vote. In fact I'd feel better represented if the Krays were running the country.
PNG
"Journalists don't claim to represent the people" - have you read the Sun recently?
As for Evil?, where exactly have you been for the last 18 months?
The expenses enquiries were often shameful but have been vastly overshadowed by the recent scandalous behaviour of our unelected press and the disproportionate power that they wield over our elected politicians. You only need to look at the unhealthy political involvement over the last few decades of journalists Ingham, Campbell, Coulson, Brooks & Gove (not to mention Rupert Murdoch) to realise just how worrying the influence of the media over politicians has actually become. In my opinion serious curbs on media/political involvement are the only thing that will save the credibility of politics in this country.
Can I suggest that you expand your learning beyond being spoon-fed right wing propaganda from the Shropshire Star's Comment page. You might then realise how powerful you right to vote really is.
stu
The Krays? ......surely a little over the top Mr Howard !! While complex arrangements continue to exist for the payment of MP's expenses, particularly related to accommodation, there will always be room for manipulation. While it may be unpopular at the present time of austerity, the solution might be to award MP's a general pay increase and remove expenses from the equation altogether. They can live anywhere they please, or do with any of their properties what they like - it need not affect the taxpayer at all.
Boris Girl
First rule of management, remain whiter than white, that way no man has anything on you, truth is power?
Boris Girl
A woman said to me "You see, I am not sure if he is having an affair or not, In his line of work he can swear black is white and white is black". I replied "He is not having an affair",. She said "How do you know that ? How can you say that"? I replied "Ask him, how he sorts and codes his reliability of information!. You are as straight and as honest as I am, you would soon know if your husband was having an affair, think about it, you would not have married him unless he was straight, the only reason you or I would lie, would be to serve the greater good"? She agreed. I explained "Well there is your answer". I pose the question Did I lie or did I tell the truth? Is a government corrupt? or does it serve the greater good? Expenses apart, sometimes honest men have to lie, they live their lives whiter than white but they will lie like bar stewards if they have to. Sometimes "D Notices" are served for a reason and there can be no explaining, every manager knows that. Fiona