Greedy, self-serving MPs are trying public patience
EVERYONE knows that politicians like the sound of their own voices, that has long been one of the main qualifications for the job. But the behaviour of MPs attending a grilling of the officials charged with monitoring their expenses claims yesterday was disgraceful.
A gaggle of MPs, mainly Labour, kept up a running commentary as their colleagues interviewed Sir Ian Kennedy,
the chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Committee, and his senior staff.
Whether the intention was to try to intimidate Sir Ian or not, this conduct fell far short of the standards that the Palace of Westminster demands from anyone viewing its proceedings.
Members of the Speaker’s Committee who cross-examined Sir Ian in front of their chuntering colleagues attempted
to argue that taxpayer-funded credit cards should be provided for all MPs.
But Sir Ian stood his ground, reminding MPs that: “The context is that there was a previous system that was shown to be lax, the rules were vague, it was open to abuse and sometimes it was abused.”
That’s one way of putting it. Another is that greedy politicians robbed us blind and it must never be allowed to happen again.