Not Much Has Changed!

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We’ve been away for a week and got back yesterday to find that not much has changed.

Another government minister resigned while we were away because it is alleged she fiddled her expenses, and this morning’s news tells us that three of the candidates for the post of Speaker are also alleged to have had their fingers in the till. So not much has changed since we were away has it?

Whether or not the new Speaker (and I'd like to see either Frank Field or Anne Widdecombe get the position) will be able to achieve anything about bringing reality and commonsense into MPs pay and perks remains to be seen. But I have my doubts because it is this lot that actually have to vote any changes in!

Let’s think for a moment. We’re in a job and our boss comes along and tells us that he wants to cut our pay and rein in our expenses. But, though he thinks it is a very good idea, in the end it’s entirely up to us. Now what would you do in these circumstances? No contest!

And that is the thing that is missing in the organisation and running of Parliament - there is no ‘boss’ that actually has the overriding power to establish a fair system of pay and allowances and, much more importantly, to enforce it and, in extreme cases, sack errant MPs.

I’ve lost count now of the number of MPs who have demonstrably had their snouts in the trough - and it is good news that some of them are now to be investigated by police on suspicion of possible fraud. However all of those who have resigned government posts or announced that they intend to step down at the next election remain as MPs, drawing their full salaries and allowances. What message does that give to us ordinary people?

The message is that not much has changed!

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