Is the MPs expenses system to blame?
Amid accusations of large-scale expenditure by various Cabinet ministers and MPs in the UK the government has today sought to blame the expenses system itself for the current debacle. Despite the fact that MPs are not obliged to claim various expenses, anything from plugs to antique fireplaces, there has been a widespread systematic use of the system to its full capacity. Let's not forget that MPs expenses would still have remained secret had it not been for a Freedom of Information request which has taken over three years to come to fruition.
While the subject of MPs expenses has been in the headlines for some time it is the fact that the rest of the UK are struggling in one of the worst recessions for years, while MPs remain effectively "recession proof", which has magnified public unrest. Rumours and accusations have been spreading like wildfire throughout Parliament and a number of MPs are believed to be on "suicide watch". Quite how the government, or the Commons authorities, can turn the situation around in the short to medium term remains to be seen with the European elections just around the corner and a general election next year.
When will we ever get back to good old politics?
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