Cameron has gone a Courtin'

Whether it is the frivolity of summer still lingering in the air or a concerted effort, but David Cameron's first major speech after the summer recess was insightful in a number of respects. The speech itself was not incendiary or that demanding of its audience; in fact it was a pretty unspectacular opening gambit to the new parliamentary session. However, the speech shows a new target audience and tactic for the Leader of the Opposition.

The speech centred around the necessity for spending cuts and fiscal prudence, but rather than discuss any number of viable and significant spending efficiencies, Mr Cameron chose to target the 'bourgeois' MPs (it is ironic given it is only weeks after Alan Duncan's Oliver Twist impersonation) with a tabloid centric attack. Giving the newspapers an easy headline and easier target is nothing new for any politician, but the time and the style of the new attack is significant.

It signals David Cameron's attempt to court the tabloid audience in the election year with a performance that would not have been out of place at last month's Edinburgh's Fringe Festival. It is also significant that Mr Cameron has chosen a policy area that is the responsibility of the House of Commons instead of a government policy, in this respect David Cameron should share in some of the criticism that he has apportion.

The tabloid audience is not the usual target of the Conservative Party, most Tories would rather keep them at arms length, but political will is determined by political necessity and in election year every voter counts. It will be interesting to see if David Cameron pursues the tabloids with as much vigour as Tony Blair did.

On the positive side, the newly announced Conservative plan would shave a massive 0.002% off the national debt.

Wales leading the Way?

If a week is a long time in politics, then a month must be akin to an epoch. On June 3rd a draft timetable was being constructed by rebel Labour MPs to usurp Gordon Brown from his position as Prime Minister. A combination of dire predictions concerning EU and local elections results, combined with the lack of leadership shown over MPs' expenses, led most political commentators to agreed that Mr Brown had one reshuffle to save his career.

How swiftly the press focus can be distracted by a new speaker and the promise of "serious reform", to the extent that all that remains in the public consciousness is bitter taste and a significant distrust of all politicians.

However, the National Assembly of Wales has quickly learnt the lessons from its Westminster colleague and produced a list of proposals that will potentially negate a similar scandal. These proposals include:

• Assembly Members (AM) to rent not buy second homes
• Second homes for 25 instead of 51 out of the 60 AMs
• Receipt for every claim
• £30.65 overnight (food) allowance scrapped
• No employment of AMs' family members in future
• No more claims for furniture or fittings on second homes
• Independent valuation of office rent payments by AMs to political parties
• AMs' pay linked to average earnings not MPs' salaries

Whether these proposals have been developed with a spirit of competition between two competing legislatures or whether it is a genuine attempt by the National Assembly to demonstrate that there is 'clear blue water' (to borrow a phrase) between London and Cardiff, does not matter.

What matters is that a new standard in public service can be discovered by Parliament from the regions; and hopefully a new trust can be developed between the public and their elected representatives.

Second, Third, Fourth Job.

This Westminster saga might feel like the Big Brother series from hell, thankfully without Davina McCall, but the MPs' expenses scandal is still rumbling on. On July 1st 2009, MPs will be forced to reveal all their various other "interests", this means that any MP with a second (and in many cases third and fourth) job must openly publicize their incomes and hours worked away from Parliament.

Apparently this is to create an atmosphere of transparency and openness in Parliament. However the only logical consequence is the exposing of more revelations concerning MPs lack of dedication to their constituency.

For instance, sixteen of the twenty-two frontbench Conservative MPs have second jobs; these range from non executive directorships at big financial institutions, such as Oliver Letwin at NM Rothschild, to writing newspaper columns like William Hague. In total the Shadow Cabinet consists of twenty-six members who currently hold one hundred and fifteen directorships (yes that is right: 115) between them.

Obviously is not just confined to the Tory Frontbench, it is endemic across all parties, but as an example it illustrates the point perfectly.

How can this beneficial to the country and their constituency? As a shadow cabinet their main purpose is to scrutinize the policy and actions of the incumbent government, rather than feathering their own nests. There have been many occasions that the current Tory Frontbench have failed to hold the government to account recently, and it has fallen to the Lib Dems and the press to expose government policy.

This point is illustrated by a previous blog post; The Rise and Fall of the Career Politician.

Christopher Kelly is currently investigating all aspects of MPs' expenses and outside interests, as part of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Hopefully, this will draw the only logical conclusion possible; that it is a conflict of interests for a current Member of Parliament to hold any permanent position outside Westminster. Furthermore, if any MPs wish to continue working in the private sector, then they would be forced to step down as an MP.

There are some obvious comparisons between the House of Commons and Big Brother, but at least in Big Brother it is possible to vote out certain housemates. However, it is doubtful that many MPs would be shown their "best bits"...

Order, Order!

Today, the House of Commons elects its new Speaker. With a short list of ten candidates Parliament hopes that a new Speaker and a summer recess will placate the public's demand for true reform; or better still most people forget the expenses debacle.

Rather than this being an auspicious event, ushering in a new order and a new style of politics, this election signifies a victory for the status quo. The list of candidates offer little in the way of reformers and will be decided by party feuds or allegiances, an old style of politics that has cursed Westminster for a considerable time.

In the opening rounds the Conservative Party will vote to stop John Bercow assuming the role, probably by voting for the ex-Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett. Conversely, the Labour Party will vote for John Bercow to stop Margaret Beckett winning. The person most likely to benefit from this playgroundesque voting will be Sir George Young.

In a time when Parliament is deemed to be out of touch with the disenfranchised electorate, a straight forward debate and election should be held; this needs to be transparent and above party bickering.

For the public to reconnect to Parliament and in particular the politicians that reside within
there must be an honest review of reforms required. Not a sham of a Speaker's election in which the new Speaker will be chosen through party loyalty and personality, rather than commitment to reform and real change.

It is disappointing that Parliament is wasting chance after chance to prove it can understand what the public is demanding.

The Daily Telegraph's Top Ten...

Now that the expenses scandal is drawing to a close, much to Parliament's relief, there has been an air of nostalgic reflection amongst some sections in the media. The Daily Telegraph, for instance, has drawn up a "Top Ten" list of MPs' excuses and reaction to the scandal:

1. "Do you know what it's about? Jealousy". No, Sir Anthony Steen, we're afraid, it isn't.

2. Maybe a decent moat to keep commoners out didn't seem such a bad idea to Douglas Hogg after he was chased down the street by a mob of reporters.

3. Sir John Butterfill simply didn't have time to dig out the figures on how much his servants' quarters cost the taxpayer before his big Newsnight interview.

4. Speaker Michael Martin berates the hapless Kate Hoey in front of the entire Commons, and of course, the nation...

5. ... which turned out to be less than wise when Mr Martin was forced to resign a few days later.

6. Salford's pocket rocket Hazel Blears brandishes THAT cheque in a desperate bid for survival.

7. In one of the expenses saga's most excruciating moments Andrew MacKay and one of his constituents have a difference of opinion in front of the cameras.

8. Justice minister Shahid Malik makes a strident defence of his claims for a home entertainment system just hours before announcing his resignation.

9. David Cameron names and shames the Tories who will be paying a visit to the fees office to hand back the thousands they claimed.

10. Presenters of Radio 4's Today Programme are expected to keep a straight face even in the face of the most ridiculous duck-related stories. Pity nobody told Evan Davis.

The Telegraph missed Kitty Ussher's misjudged resignation in the belief that the expenses released yesterday would reveal her "flipping" first homes to avoid Capital Gains Tax. Sadly, the "redacted" expenses claims showed no incriminating information.

Is it Tetris? No, it is an MP's Expense Form.

The MPs' expenses debate still rumbles on. Today the Parliament published the "full" list of expenses of all MPs in Parliament.

Notable by the vast swathes of blacked out information on the expenses claim form, the list reveals nothing that the public did not expect. Even the CIA would be embarrassed by the amount of content obscured from the public gaze.

This tactless editing will only infuriate the general public more, since all party leaders promised a more open and transparent system. The result is a perception that the MPs are still obscuring and blurring the lines of accountability for their own expenses. The declaration at the end of each of these expenses has now become obsolete:

"I confirm that the payments requested are in respect of costs incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of my parliamentary duties."

It is a shame that, at their lowest ebb, Parliament still attempts to protect itself from the scrutiny of the public and the media; instead it hides behind black squares and rectangles in the vain hope that it can collectively salvage some dignity.

This was the perfect opportunity for MPs to show that they had learnt the lessons of the past few months, but the public perception of ivory towers and gentleman's clubs still remains.

It is now obvious why Parliament wished for this list to be published in its entirety in July 2009. With Parliament in recess and most of the top political journalists on holiday, July would have provided a perfect opportunity to brush the scandal firmly under the carpet.

They would have got away with it, if it had not been for those pesky kids at the Telegraph...

True Reform

There has been much discussion concerning what reforms of Parliament and expenses will be introduced, if any at all. Here are a few ideas that could potentially spark a debate:-

Expenses

There is consensus that MPs must be adequately remunerated for the level of responsibility that is assumed. Here are a few thoughts on expenses reform:

• Every MP has a "grace and favour" 2 bedroom residence that is centrally located within easy distance of Westminster. This will be minimally furnished - no moats, no duck ponds and no mock Tudor beams. There will be no rent, but no expenses can be charged for accommodation. This would have the advantages that if maintenance needs to be carried out it can be done via a central contract and therefore, cheaper.
• The only expense that would be acceptable is travel to and from the constituency. The cost of this is paid at a standard class train or plane fare, if they wish to upgrade, then it is at their own expense.
• The MPs wage will increase to £75,000. Any future cost of living increase will be decided upon by an independent panel which will not be responsible to Parliament.
• No MP, whilst in office, can have any other form of employment that might compromise their role as a MP. Such examples can be found here. MPs are in Parliament to represent their constituents, not their interests.
• Staff (Parliamentary and constituency based) to be paid centrally.
• Tax-payers contributions to MPs' pension funds to be significantly reduced.

Parliamentary Reforms

Britain has probably the most archaic Parliamentary system in the western world, built on convention and precedence. Affectionately known as a elected dictatorship, the winning party in a general election commands the executive and the legislature, George W. Bush would have started Armageddon with this power. The second House is weak and ineffectual, filled with representatives of the current government. The situation demands reform:

• Reduce the number of MPs in the House of Commons, and have them elected via a form of proportional representation.
• Make the House of Lords wholly elected. This could be done via a number of different routes, maybe a more representative federal system. Furthermore, rebuke the Parliament Act which allows the House of Commons to completely overrule the Lords, if it does not endorse a Bill.
• MPs must have substantial links to the constituency that they represent. This will reduce the MP becoming the spokesman for the party in the constituency, rather than representing the constituency at a national level.
• Devolve power away from Westminster to a local level within certain parameters.
• Reduce the power of the party whip. This is probably wishful of all the points.
  

By instigating these reforms, Britain would become a more democratic country, with more people enfranchised. This is a true bicameral system that would build solutions on consensus and avoid landslides that allowed Britain to slip into war with Iraq.

"Reform, Reform, Reform"

When Tony Blair posed the almost rhetorical question to himself of what his government's major priorities were, he answered himself with the clear mantra of "education, education, education." This soundbite was perfect for the time, it simply laid out the future government's plan that was accessible and easily understood by all. It quickly became a yardstick by which the New Labour government could be measured against and beaten by if they failed.

Thirteen years on, Gordon Brown needs a similar tactic, if he is to survive the dire local and EU election results. There is no yardstick currently available to most of the general public to measure his performance by; only the prophetic cries of "we are fixing the economy." The issue with this as a measuring instrument is twofold;

• If public are to believe Mr Brown, that the UK could not effect the recession since it was a global phenomenon, how is the general public supposed to know that the relief packages designed by the government are alleviating the problem. It could just be an upturn in world markets.
• Secondly, many people believe that Gordon Brown's policy of deregulation for the banks, in many ways exacerbated the issue in the first place.

Therefore, Gordon Brown needs to hang his hat on another policy, one which the public can see genuine results on in the short term. The expenses scandal that might of nearly ended his tenure as Prime Minister, has surprisingly presented him with a golden opportunity to show strong leadership.

By setting out a clear bill of reforms for the House of Commons, MPs' expenses and the House of Lords, Gordon Brown will then be able to be judged on a definable set of criteria.

However, it is doubtful that he will use the mantra of "reform, reform, reform."

The Second of Many - Hazel Blears Resigns

Hazel Blears has made her move, she has resigned at the point to gain as much exposure for herself whilst attempting to damage Gordon Brown as much as possible.

Here is her resignation statement:

"Today I have told the prime minister that I am resigning from the Government.

"My politics has always been rooted in the belief that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things, given the right support and encouragement.

"The role of a progressive Government should be to pass power to the people. I've never sought high office for the sake of it, or for what I can gain, but for what I can achieve for the people I represent and serve.

"In this next phase of my political life I am redoubling my efforts to speak up for the people of Salford as their Member of Parliament. I am returning to the grassroots (where I began), to political activism, to the cut and thrust of political debate.

"Most of all I want to help the Labour Party to reconnect with the British people, to remind them that our values are their values, that their hopes and dreams are ours too.

"I am glad to be going home to the people who matter the most to me: the people of Salford.

"Finally, there's an important set of elections tomorrow. My message is simple: get out and vote Labour."

Touching, isn't it? I wonder if she will get her knife from Gordon Brown's back as well.

Jacqui Smith Has Gone... Hoorah...

It has been reported by various media outlets that Jacqui Smith asked to be relinquished of her duties as Home Secretary over two months ago. Combined with the news that three further Labour MPs are stepping down at the next general election, this is indeed a dark day for the Government.

It was not so much a straw that broke the camel's back, more of an avalanche. Let's have a quick review:

• The pre-charge detention limits for terrorism suspects
• The arrest of Damian Green
• The loss of crucial data from most of her sub departments
• Rejecting scientific evidence in favour of political motives
• Supporting the National ID card
  
• The pay row between the police and government
• Ignoring the European Court of Human Rights' decision concerning DNA and fingerprints of people with no criminal record
  
• The expenses claim that her main residence was her sisters house, not her constituency home
• Claiming for porn films on expenses (claiming she believes herself to be vindicated)
  

There is probably a lot more, but memory is against me... Something tells me history will not be too kind to Mrs Smith, if it remembers her at all.

Shock, Horror: MPs stay until next Pay Day!

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the MPs that have been forced to stand down, due to public opinion, have decided to remain in their positions until the next election. These MPs have defined themselves by their arrogant money grabbing actions.

Douglas Hogg, Peter Viggers, Anthony Steen, Andrew McKay, Nicholas Winterton, Ben Chapman, Ian McCarthney, Julie Kirkbride and Margaret Moran have all committed themselves to stepping down at the next general election, with most claiming that they are staying for continuity reasons.

But it is a very decent bet that if these MPs were allowed to claim all the benefits that they would receive for stepping down at a general election, for stepping down and forcing a by-election, the public would not see them for dust.

For a leopard to change its spots is like asking Boris Johnson to be quiet and not offend a nation, city, religious or ethnic group every time he opens his mouth. Impossible...

At the risk of sounding repetitious, most of these MPs are 'career politicians' who have been placed into constituencies due to the safe nature of the seat. They act as a party spokesperson in the constituency, as opposed to representing the people of constituency.

With seven out of ten constituencies being considered 'safe', there needs to be considerable reform of the selection process.

EU: Self Help Or Self Harm?

The MPs have really done it this time; they have eroded public trust, including their political capital and have brought unprecedented levels of scrutiny on all Members of Parliament. But the consequences of their actions (money grabbing) go much further...

Possibly the most hard hit of all institutions, because of the MPs' expenses scandal, will be the impact upon the EU. Not just in terms of a vote against all major parties, a bloody nose of sorts for what the public consider a betrayal of trust, but for the institution of the EU Parliament.

MPs have erode their own political capital, not so much the political capital of Parliament as an institution, the concept of the House of Commons is firmly ingrained in the consciousness of the British public. In which most realise that it is the MPs and their expenses which need reform, rather than a major overhaul of the institution itself.

However, the European Parliament can not afford a scandal; the institution has little perceived political capital in the eyes of the general public. This institution has its own expenses scandal waiting to explode, but there will be fewer people willing to promote it once it does.

The major issue that the EU Parliament faces is one of self promotion, it has more vocal detractors than supporters, and it seems almost embarrassed to publicize it successes. Without public knowledge of the many success of the EU Parliament, many will continue to believe the crazy, Daily Mail/Express stories. For the anti-EU lobby ignorance is bliss.

If the EU Parliament wishes to have more support across Europe it must develop a culture of self promotion, shout about the success stories, make themselves relevant to people's lives. Maybe use some of the money saved on MEP's expenses to advertise itself.

A Rake's (MP's) Progress

The Heir

Our MP is considering running for Parliament.

He has all the best intentions. Public service is a noble cause.

The Levee

Once elected our MP becomes increasingly popular, and enjoys the trappings of the high life.

The Orgy

Sadly our MP starts getting involved with

some bad eggs, and starts frequenting houses of ill repute. No, not the Commons and the Lords!

The Arrest

The Media start to pester our Hero MP after revelations are leaked concerning his private life. Apparently he charged to expenses a summer home for ducks, a second home (which in fact was his first home, but then to avoid CGT he switched) and some ladies of the night.

The Marriage

In an attempt to win back the hearts and minds of his constituency, our MP goes on a charm offensive, a high profile marriage to a z list celebrity. Sadly what works for Jordan and Anthea Turner in the pages of Heat and Okay, does not placate the public demanding their money back.

The cheeky MP claims that the public is just “jealous” of his fabulous life and wealth. He has a house that looks like Balmoral Castle, don’t you know.

The Gaming House

After being ordered, by his party leader, to pay back all the money he gained from his second home. Our MP, broke and his reputation in tatters, tries to win back his fortune at the casino and bookies.
A MP’s annual wage of £64,000 just is not enough to live off. These are hard times. Especially if a tin of dog food costs £4.50.

The Prison

Our MP walks a very well worn path from politics to prison. He is imprisoned for four years for perjury and perverting the course of justice, for a trial that was 12 years ago. What are the chances of that happening.

The Madhouse

Oh well, there is always the House of Lords…

List of Published MPs' Expenses.

Just to prove Henry Kissinger's old adage that “90 per cent of the politicians give the other 10 per cent a bad reputation.” The BBC has kindly produced a list of all published MPs' expenses and their justifications for claiming that amount, click here and enjoy...

Nadine Dorries Manufactures Discontent.

It is surprising that in the current political climate, in which MPs are the focus of much media scrutiny, that any Member of Parliament would attempt to attract any unnecessary attention by making indefensible and rash statements. By claiming that certain MPs are 'suicidal' and that there is a McCarthyite 'witch-hunt' in progress, Nadine Dorries (Member of Parliament for the lucky constituency of Mid Bedfordshire) has seemingly achieved the impossible. She has managed to create even less sympathy for plight of our harassed MPs.

It is possible to attempt to draw two conflicting conclusions from Ms Dorries' actions, firstly it was a naive attempt to garner sympathy amongst the her constituency and the general public for our beleaguered MPs. Or it was a masterful Machiavellian manoeuvre designed to throw the media off the scent by claiming something so outrageous that it would baffle and confuse. Thankfully, neither worked.

In future to attract similar levels of media attention, Ms Dorries will have to make bigger and bolder claims. Personally, I can not wait for the claim of a Stalinist Purge or the allegation that the media are attempting to 'restart civilisation'.

However, I am going to heed my mother's valuable advice, if you can not say anything good about a person, then do not say anything at all. So with regards to Nadine Dorries...

"







."