An Issue of our Time

Although I'm in danger of moving away from the point of this blog on my third posting, I feel that I need to vent a little about the whole MP's expenses thing...if I'm lucky, by the time I've calmed down I may have thought about how to link it to good old Stoke!

It is, apparently, a terrible system that has caused MPs of all complexion to leap to their receipt box and get a-claiming and, anyway, everyone does it so it's only reasonable. However, much less well covered are details of the MPs who managed, somehow, to only claim for expenses that are actually directly related to their job. No wysteria trimming for Hilary Benn. He has apparently claimed the grand total of £147 (ish) per year for the last three years. I'd like to list names of others who have acted with proporiety but they haven't made it onto the media outlets I follow.

The current excuse from the guilty parties (and Parties) seems to be that they now acknowledge that their actions may look a little iffy and that the flawed system definitely needs reforming. This is often said with a slightly confused look in the eye, as if they don't really know what the fuss is about. Well, they are certainly right that reform is required, but it hardly addresses the issue.

The worrying cases, and there seem to be plenty of them, are where MPs genuinely think that a plasma telly, nice leather sofa or six hundred quids worth of hanging baskets in their second home are essential. They are when a leaky pipe under the tennis court, mucky moat or overactive wysteria are someone else's problem. And why on earth is it acceptable for their mortgage interest to be paid through an allowance when they get to keep the house (or cash from its sale) when they get booted out?

The answer is not to say 'sorry' or to change the system. I would suggest that an MP who can't work out that expenses are to compensate for work-related expenditure (clue's in the name) probably does not have the judgement to make decisions on war, the environment or how to address our current financial crisis. The solution, at least from where I'm sat, seems to be for those who've taken the mickey to let their constituents to decide their fate - bring on the by elections. I really do think we can find around 600 people who can, in the words of many an MP, tell right from wrong.

And how does this link with Stoke? Well, it doesn't directly, but it does speak to the quality of our political class generally and, as we know, Stoke has sometimes struggled to attract great talent. Maybe, hopefully, one of the positives to come out of this whole sorry mess will be that the sort of person who may have something to hide in power may be tempted to take their skills elsewhere...and that can only benefit us all.

(Will make sure the next one is less ranty!)