And about bloody time!

[dc]

Martin is going!



[ETA: Meanwhile Gordon Brown said no Labour MP who broke expenses rules would stand at the next election. — is that the most meaningless commitment ever, given that breaking the rules isn't exactly the issue?]

Comments

Re: Breaking the expenses rules

[tanngrisnir.livejournal.com]

It was under Thatcher, as far as I know. They didn't have the nerve to actually set up a proper system of remunerating MPs through reasonable pay awards, so they effectively used the expenses system to top up MPs pay.

However, current MPs are not blameless. (Ignoring the fact that some of them have been there for a long time; Martin was Healey's PPS.) They are the people who make the laws in the country, and they have been responsible for regulating their own remuneration. If the system wasn't right, it doesn't matter that they didn't set up: they are responsible for not doing anything to change it.

Re: Breaking the expenses rules

[sigisgrim.livejournal.com]

You are quite right. I suspect that in practical terms most of them didn't realise the need to reform it and thus it wasn't on their radar. Those who would have had the seniority to think of such things probably had what seemed like more important things to deal with.

I'm not seeking to excuse them, merely explain the situation.

Anyway, they are now all paying the price for not attempting to do anything to change it.

Re: Breaking the expenses rules

[tanngrisnir.livejournal.com]

Yes, aren't they just?