Is “Unacceptable” Acceptable From Cabinet Ministers?
I could almost feel sorry for Gordon on this one because as much as he wriggles, he isn’t going to get away. He has said that Hazel Blears’ conduct in flipping her second home to save £13,000 CGT was unacceptable. She has to go.
She Has To Go
Talking about the “rules” isn’t good enough when they are clearly inadequate. The guidelines say that expenses may only be charged when incurred “wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the course of parliamentary duties”. That standard should now be applied as the rule. So, Gordon, your Sky subscription including sports channels, fails that test. A reasonable claim would be for half of the cost.
In your own interests, as well as that of Parliament and the country, there are cabinet ministers and senior Labour MPs who have to go.
I believe most ‘reasonable’ people would consider the guidelines to be rules. In that case, they have been abused or broken. Party leaders from all side need to be wary, because if they don’t take clear and decisive action in terms of deselection, then the electorate will have no choice but to do it for them. If I were a party leader, I would not want to have my party message diluted by the activities of the local candidate. Just a thought!
UK Voter
May 19, 2009 at 5:47 pm