Mark Chatterton
Mon,25 May 2009
Mark Chatterton
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Dog food, a trouser press, a toilet seat, a television, a duck house, a moat, and manure. Not something on the conveyor belt on The Generation Game, but some of the crazy things that our MPs have been claiming in the “Expenses Scandal” that has become the main topic of news this month. Thanks to a “whistle blower” somewhere in the depths of the Houses of Parliament and the courage of journalists at The Daily Telegraph, (who published the details), the British public has been learning throughout the month of May some of the ridiculous and extravagant things that our Members of Parliament have been claiming under “expenses”. Apart from the various things mentioned above, the process of “flipping” by MPs has been exposed. This is where an MP can claim quite substantial expenses for a second home, which they are entitled to under their parliamentary privileges. Except that some MP’s have been changing their second homes and claiming for a third one to get a fresh expenses claim in.
Words like “crooks” and “criminals” have been bandied about and the anger of the general public has been emphasised in the media. So far the only casualty in terms of “sackings” or resignations has been that of the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, whose office has the responsibility of agreeing to these expense claims. Several MP’s have decided to step down at the next General Election, knowing that the voters would not vote for them. Whilst many more have said that they will pay back what they have claimed for. Too late perhaps? The damage has already been done. The Police and the Tax Authorities may also get involved, so this story looks set to run and run.
What will happen at the next general election will certainly have a significant impact on the way this country is governed. There is talk of Esther Ranzthen standing as an Independent candidate for the Luton South constituency. Could this be the first sign of change
in the way the people are governed both in Britain and throughout the world as we approach 2012? Maybe more individuals will stand as Independent candidates at the next General Election, so that the traditional Party Politics, which has dominated our government for hundreds of years, may finally come to an end? Some political commentators have described the House of Commons as “rotten to the core”. Then there are all those minor political parties, like the United Kingdom Independence Party, the Green Party and the Christian Party. Might they get a bigger share of the vote? In the European Elections, the use of Proportional Representation has meant a fairer cross section of political viewpoints has been given a voice. In the House of Commons, the choice is either one or the other – sorry Liberal Democrats. If you are a member of one party you have to “Toe the party line” even if you personally don’t agree with a particular policy. Then we have those laughable debates where it seems that you have to ridicule the other side and poke fun at them, almost bullying them, just because they are the other side. Wouldn’t it be nice if we can have politicians that work together for the common good - with each other, not against each other? If they are not careful, most people are going to give up voting altogether and then what would take the place of Parliament? The words of a song by Larry Norman come to mind here: -
The politicians all make speeches,
While the newsmen all take notes.
I wonder who would lead us,
If none of us would vote?
Ultimately it is the ordinary people like you and me who have the real power to change things -not the MPs, or the media – just the millions of ordinary citizens who live their livers in spite of all the corruption and dishonesty in high places. But are we prepared to stand up and be counted use our power to make a better country and ultimately world? That is up to you and me.
Expenses : MPs : House of Parliament : Goverment :
Expenses : MPs : House of Parliament : Goverment :
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