Expenses Again

So our MPs are about to repay £1m in excess expenses claims. This is just about enough to pay for the enquiries that have investigated them. In addition three MPs are to be prosecuted for false claims and fraud. Only three? And these three are going to try to avoid court by claiming parliamentary privilege. This privilege was enshrined in the Bill of Rights of 1689 in order to allow MPs to speak openly without fear of legal action or interference by a reigning monarch. It was not intended to allow MPs to escape prosecution for fraud. Party leaders suggest that they will amend the legislation to prevent this action by the three MPS. Why? It is blindingly obvious that the 1689 act had no connection whatsoever with a matter of MPs expenses. I am a cynical bastard and I suspect that any messing with the 1689 act will allow the parties to adjust things a little bit to protect the government from extraneous investigations. Leave it alone and let the MPs go to court.

Following on from the MPs expenses extravaganza, we now hear that a supervisory body is to be brought in to oversee matters in the future and this is about to cost us another £8m. Why? It must be obvious to all what are reasonable expense claims and what are not and it could be operated = if necessary - by an ombudsman in each party just to ensure that there is nothing that is not completely above board. Most private individuals who put in expense claims have them signed by a senior executive. Why cannot the MPs not do the same?

Only if we have MPs with moral principles will we have many and women in parliament who can properly supervise what our money is spent on. Far too much is poured down the drain paying for consultants and advisers Also many salaries in the public sector are too high. We should have the right pay levels for MPs and ministers and these should be used as the bench marks for others in the public services.

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