Just Put it on Expenses, Old Chap
advertisment
Related Content
- Inflating Expenses is Big Business (03/04/2008)
I worked with a Head of Internal Audit in a bank, who said that, whenever anybody was under investigation, the first thing they did was to look at the person’s expenses. Because people leave expenses to the last minute and often get somebody else to do them, you can always find an inaccuracy or two.
That is where the negotiations start if you know that somebody has done something wrong in another respect, but cannot prove it. (Though in these instances there were rarely claims for duck houses or for interest on mortgages which no longer existed.)
Obviously the same cannot be said for those in whom we have placed trust to sit in our Parliament and govern our country. So what can we do about them? Clearly the usual route of writing to our MP is not a solution here. I suggest the following:
happened with Hazel Blears, who managed to get
through the process.
b) make sure that you do not vote for them when they stand
at the next election.
The Daily Telegraph, although lucky to have been the paper which obtained the expenses records, has done an admirable job in exposing MPs’ behaviour, and has published examples of how every MP has behaved. Those, like Ann Widdecombe, who has claimed virtually nothing - despite being allowed to - should be applauded. Those who have disgraced themselves should not achieve a single vote when they stand next time. Let them know that we despise their behaviour and that we have not forgotten it. Do not buy their memoirs when they are published. Resist their attempts to obtain lucrative non-executive directorships when they retire from Westminster. Above all, let them know that, despite any inability or unwillingness of the authorities to take action, we despise their behaviour over their moats, their duck houses, their husband’s porn, their solid oak bookcases, their 25-inch flatscreen, HD televisions and their phantom mortgages.
Isn’t it strange how those of us who have to run a flat in London because of work commitments and have to pay for it out of our own pockets manage to do so at a fraction of the cost?
Obviously the same cannot be said for those in whom we have placed trust to sit in our Parliament and govern our country. So what can we do about them? Clearly the usual route of writing to our MP is not a solution here. I suggest the following:
- For those whose MPs have committed fraud �" we have to hope that the authorities will do the right thing here and prosecute them. There are a handful of MPs who deserve nothing less.
- For those who have acted technically within the rules, but have acted unethically and milked the system for every single penny, I suggest two further solutions:
happened with Hazel Blears, who managed to get
through the process.
b) make sure that you do not vote for them when they stand
at the next election.
The Daily Telegraph, although lucky to have been the paper which obtained the expenses records, has done an admirable job in exposing MPs’ behaviour, and has published examples of how every MP has behaved. Those, like Ann Widdecombe, who has claimed virtually nothing - despite being allowed to - should be applauded. Those who have disgraced themselves should not achieve a single vote when they stand next time. Let them know that we despise their behaviour and that we have not forgotten it. Do not buy their memoirs when they are published. Resist their attempts to obtain lucrative non-executive directorships when they retire from Westminster. Above all, let them know that, despite any inability or unwillingness of the authorities to take action, we despise their behaviour over their moats, their duck houses, their husband’s porn, their solid oak bookcases, their 25-inch flatscreen, HD televisions and their phantom mortgages.
Isn’t it strange how those of us who have to run a flat in London because of work commitments and have to pay for it out of our own pockets manage to do so at a fraction of the cost?
Here Is The Writer : Peter Haines
Peter Haines has more than 20 years of experience in regulation and compliance, which he now offers through his consultancy firm. Peter has the misfortune to support Tottenham Hotspur, Kent CCC and England or Great Britain in most competitive sports. Fortunately, he enjoys a full and happy family life with his wife and two children in Suffolk, which compensates for the sporting trauma associated with supporting Spurs and England. Anybody who knows Peter well will confirm that he has the ideal physical profile of an armchair supporter.
view more articles by Peter Haines
