The saga of MP expenses continues ...

Over the last few months, many Members of Parliament have been exposed for claiming excessive or inappropriate expenses. As a result we have seen the public attitude towards politics and the political system diminish. Indeed, in the last election I found many people on the street were disillusioned - even though their (then) constituency MP, David Kidney, had been seen to be beyond reproach.

Gordon Brown, as Prime Minister, promised to clean up British politics and Cameron stated that any Tory MP found to have abused the system would be required to pay the money back. it is therefore interesting to note that amongst the top 20 MPs claiming the largest amount, only 6 are Labour and of these 3 appealed and had their repayment eliminated or reduced. Only 1 Labour politician (Barbara Follett) has an amount still outstanding. Compare this with the Tories and we see that amongst those 'top 20' there remains over £46,000 of debt! Now we are not talking about lesser known MPs (past and present) here - people like David Heathcote-Amory, who owes £23,569. or Michael Spicer, who owes £10,000.

And what of the Lib-Dems? Well until today their record was reasonably good. A few had been caught out with the amendments to the rules but, by and large, their debts had fallen in between one and three thousand pounds and broadly speaking, these had been paid. But now we have the revelation that the First Secretary to the Treasury, had falsely (either through error, omission or commission) claimed for over £40,000 of expenses. Now, the fact David Laws is gay is really of little interest to me quite honestly - it is his own affair and I trust it is a happy and loving relationship, because over the coming days he will need to call on it.

No, my concern is that a man who is central to running the finances of this country fudged the records because he wanted to hide information (he wanted to keep his sexuality secret). How can we trust a politician who acts in such a manner? Will he hold back other inconvenient secrets about the state of the country should they arise?

In many respects this is a tragic case, because Laws is undoubtedly a consummate professional and a talented MP, although I have grave misgivings about his political and economic views. Harold Wilson once said that a week is a long time in politics and Laws is about to find out that it will pass excruciatingly slowly, with the red-top newspapers anxious to exploit any sexual whimsy the can obtain. I doubt Mr Laws will read this blog, but should he I would urge him to take courage and seek the support and love of your partner. At the same time I would also advocate a full and public apology followed by an immediate resignation from the government. In doing so he will show to the public an air of remorse and contrition that will allow them to quickly forgive. Then, in a few months, if G-d forbid the Con-Dems are still in power, he can return to the front bench and use his acute brain for the betterment of this country.

No doubt we will see over the next few days how things unfold.

Tacitus